Monday Musings - Of A Lay Dominican

The Catholic Church exists for the salvation of souls. The charism of the Dominicans (the Order of Preachers) is "the salvation of souls by preaching, living and sharing God’s Truth" - all of it, even the more difficult ones.  I am blessed to be both a Catholic and a Lay Dominican.

Let me hasten to offer this disclaimer: the ideas expressed in this post are my own.

(Image Source: Wikimedia Commons)

Certainly, we must strive to be Christ-like in order to attract others to the Lord we love and seek to serve. And clearly, we must treat every person with dignity and respect and try to accompany them as they seek to learn and follow that Truth. And we must also acknowledge that we are all sinners in need of God's mercy.

But how do we save souls (others as well as our own) if we remain silent when some of our shepherds attempt to create ambiguity in Church doctrine where none had heretofore existed? 

For example, it has always been the teaching of the Church that there are eternal consequences to those who have rejected God’s grace and die in the state of mortal sin unwilling to repent and seek forgiveness. How can any Catholic now accept the suggestion that “No one can be condemned forever because that is not the logic of the Gospel”?

It has always been undisputed Church teaching that it is a mortal sin to receive Holy Communion if you are a divorced and remarried Catholic who never sought or obtained annulment of one’s marriage. How can we support contrary assertions today?

One had always had to be a Catholic in the state of grace in order to receive our Lord in Holy Communion.  Not so much today in some quarters of the Church where non-Catholics are being offered the Eucharist.

Another example: It has always been the teaching of the Catholic Church that a soul in mortal sin receives no spiritual benefit from receiving Holy Communion, but rather eternal condemnation if such conduct is left un-confessed. Why would we encourage others to commit such sinful acts?

The Church has always taught that we MUST strive with God’s grace to overcome our sinful behaviors and that with His grace all things are possible, including abandoning long-standing sinful acts. Even if we are never fully successful in overcoming our sinful behaviors, we are never exempt from trying to do so. How can we now teach that such a standard is too high and those who have been unsuccessful in striving to free themselves from entrenched sin, are no longer obligated to do so?

Where in Scripture, Tradition and the Teaching Magisterium has the Catholic Church ever taught that we may reasonably hope that all people will be saved?

Engaging in homosexual sexual acts or any sexual relationship outside of marriage precludes the reception of Communion.  More than a handful in the Church are suggesting that this is or should no longer be the case.

How then can we remain silent when one of our brethren proclaims that  "We cannot begin with the question of whether it (gay sexuality) is permitted or forbidden! We must ask what it means, and how far it is Eucharistic."

Finally, why are we so quick to adopt the recommendation of a popular author and speaker that we "become the best version of ourselves" instead of seeking to become "Christlike"?

Yes, we should strive to help all those who have separated themselves from God and His Church to reach a correct understanding of God’s Truth and expectations and most certainly God’s readiness to forgive and welcome such souls into full communion with His Church - but never at the expense of denying or watering down that Truth.

A final question:  When will we end our silence, defend God's Truth and fraternally correct those who do not?