"He demonstrates nothing, He doesn't try to justify himself, He doesn't argue. He teaches. His authority imposes itself because the wisdom that emanates from him is irresistible."
In Conversation with God, 526
I had a long discussion tonight with some family members about Catholic culture and education. It was sparked by a conversation earlier in the day with an individual who had the notion that weekly mass at my dear old Catholic high school should be made optional for students. The school has always had it's foot down on the matter and the discussion tonight revolved around why they would do that. Why would a school not run whole heartedly to have people choosing to go to a weekly mass instead of having it required of them? Doesn't requiring something make a bunch of people who aren't Catholic or just plain don't care to go to mass more than once a week create the danger of seeing mass in a negative light? What do we really want of these kids? Isn't it always better to choose to pray on your own whims instead of having someone dictate a time, place, and way of praying for you? Isn't it more honest? More sincere...?
The question that really sparked my interest was "what do we want of these kids?" The simple answer I think is that we want them to be saved- to know, love, and serve God. The school doesn't exactly put that in the mission statement but they do profess to be Catholic, and that is in the mission of every Christian- indeed, every human! The question that follows though, is how are we going to help them do that? This school has decided to do it by creating a Catholic culture in which the students can abide. People need to know what being a Christian is all about- even if they're not Christians. It's such a huge piece of the world and it's history (and it's future!) that it's worth at least to be educated in it. But since we are a Catholic school we have not only the opportunity to educate people about the faith, but also to encourage them to love it, live it, to love God- and where is the best place to go to experience God? What is the heart of the Church? What is the fount of life, grace, and holiness?
It is the Eucharist!
'If you do not eat my flesh and drink my blood you shall not have life within you'! So why would experiencing the Eucharist in Holy Mass not be part of the education at a Catholic school? How can we understand religion class if our souls are dead- if we are not animated by the Holy Spirit through the grace received in the Eucharist? A mind can only go so far for a person because a person is made up of more than a mind. We have emotions, physical bodies, a soul. We baptize our infants so they can get started on a life of grace as soon as possible. We raise our children in families that are meant to support the child in growing in love for Jesus. A Catholic culture cannot be separated from the Eucharist. A Catholic school, a Catholic family, a religious community- these should all be places where a person's soul, mind, and heart can expand and breathe. Why do we need to live in the world as if we were of the world? Why do we need to suffocate ourselves and cripple others in the name of "free choice"? Through the education in the school, those that don't care or know anything of Mass will gain the knowledge. If God wills, he will open their hearts to know and love him in the Eucharist. We must not fail to give them every opportunity to grow!
We need more Red Cardigan Societies and little ideas that will give us room to breathe in this confused world of ours. Tea party anyone?
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