Traditional Catholic Teaching - An Unchanging Faith in a Changing World

(I) — An Unchanging Faith in a Changing World

Twenty-first Century Turbulence

We certainly live in a fast-moving age. Technology is leaping ahead so fast, it is hard to keep up with it, both in the ability to use it and to afford upgrades! None of us needs to be convinced of the enormous benefits brought to us by advances in technology — they are self-evident; as are the dangers. Less obvious however is the gradual effect on us all of the growth in audio-visual media and entertainment. To many younger people, the world of entertainment and Internet exploration brings them into contact with what they have come to accept as the real and essential world. The traditional cultural understanding and perception of the spiritual domain have been squeezed aside by popular consent and are now seen by many as unreal, imaginary or even bizarre. The strange antics of some of the more extreme border-line Christian groups and their leaders only reinforce the belief that such religion is unnecessary and irrelevant to modern life: one can live very happily without it — and judging by what they often see, who could blame them!

Many people of all ages are genuinely seeking for spiritual values and 'try church' only to find it just doesn't seem right for them. They dabble for a while in New Age variations but generally give up after a while. We live in a time of religious (some insist, spiritual) confusion.

Who Is This Web Site For?

This web-site, seeks to help readers uncover what has always been part of the Christian vision of life but which may not always have been within the reach of those lacking traditional Christian upbringing, or those misled by inadequate and confused instruction. The site is designed to help people with a particular mind-set: people who want to see through the endless parade of hoaxes, scams and false ideals constantly requiring our passive approval and involvement: in politics, religion or community life. They are the people who still believe in the great value of Christianity and its unique contribution to civilization, and wish to build their lives on its values rather than on much of the unsatisfying fabric of our modern society.

In a nutshell, they are people who have had enough of the nonsense served up to them from so many sources, and are determined to try and restore traditional Christian values and practices before it is too late and we become swamped by foreign, non-Christian cultural influences and pressures — all of which are already beginning to undermine and destroy our heritage.

Introduction To A Biblical Vision

Surely if one wants to know the Biblical vision of the Christian life one simply reads the Bible — or at least the New Testament! If one believes it is that simple, then by all means just go right ahead. What we present here is for those who would like a guide as to how to 'get a hold on it' — how to 'sort the wood from the trees'. The Bible is not a book containing an ordered layout of the Christian vision which is meant to be read from cover to cover without comment and instruction. It is a collection of works comprising many kinds of religious literature written over several millennia. If we are to understand its message and put it into practice, we need a guide.

One of the most highly esteemed works of Christian instruction — and most enduring — is the Rule of St. Benedict. St. Benedict (who died around AD 545) was a devout layman who became alarmed at the gradual collapse of the Roman Empire with the onset of conflict, frequent violence, asset grabbing, inflation and confusion of values which generally feature so intrusively in such times. The Church had a great history of standing firm against its adversaries as is seen by the enormous line of martyrs who died for Christ their King. St. Benedict felt called to compose a Rule and way of life to help Christians live for Christ their King, and to keep their focus on the Kingdom of God despite all the disturbances around them.

The word 'Rule', from the Latin: regula indicates that his document was to be a guide, in the ancient understanding of 'regula' — something to help us achieve a straight line and get where we want to be. The word 'regula' comes from 'rego' which means to guide or direct. In the original use it referred to a straight length or plank as well as a ruler which children still use in school. In due course it came to mean a pattern, a model, and a rule. In our times we tend to think of rules as a type of law, but in former times this was not so. The Rule of St. Benedict is therefore a document which presents a Biblical pattern, a model for consecrated Christians to follow, and a guide to keep one moving along a straight line. This amazing document provided the framework for establishing the great Benedictine religious order of monks and nuns who carefully preserved all the best of civilization and its culture in their way of life. That is a wonderful story and a great inspiration in times of darkness and despair.

We have chosen to take the Prologue to the Rule of St. Benedict and examine it piece by piece, to let it guide us in our unsettling times towards a Biblical vision of the ideal Christian life as it has been understood for two millenia. Our hope is that the reader will find it a helpful guide to maintaining a sound Christian vision despite the disintegration, decay, confusion and despair which we meet so frequently in our contemporary society: a situation not unlike that faced by St. Benedict and his supporters.

But What Is The Point of This Reflection?

Many Christians (and this is particularly so for Catholics) are either unable to travel to places of traditional teaching and worship, or, at best, can do so only infrequently. Mounting pressure in our society against Christian values and practice makes it vital for traditional Christians (and here we addressing primarily Catholics) to have local contact and encourage one another to (if need be) recover their traditional heritage and maintain the richness and uniqueness of Catholic culture.
This can be done in such a way that when we are able to attend the Holy Mass, or a priest can visit our vicinity, the maximum spiritual benefits will flow and the faith will be kept in its vitality and great beauty.
We recommend that dispersed members of the Church gather when they can for appropriate devotions as well as for social activities.
We also recommend traditional Christians adopt very specific plans to maintain their culture and resist the ever-increasing pressure to let the faith get pushed further and further into the background.
We strongly recommend to Catholics surviving in this state of isolation, to take decisive steps to set aside a part of the house where special respect can be shown and given to the Presence of God. This can be very open if circumstances permit, or more discreet, if that is appropriate for whatever reason. We would go so far as to recommend one consider assigning a room to be used solely as an oratory — a chapel. We have written elsewhere about this, to help readers to take on this basically straightforward project and encourage the maintenance of a rich visual traditional Catholic atmosphere of prayer and devotion. This can be a very effective and strong antidote to the extreme barrenness and impoverishment of modern society.
This reflection on the Biblical vision of the Christian life provided to us by St. Benedict is intended to be a starting place for Catholics to take stock of their situation, take reasonable steps to reverse the general slide away from our Catholic culture, and persevere despite all that is happening around us. Many Christians in other denominations also make use of St. Benedict's Rule for similar reasons.

We may find we often take a close look at the mounting spiritual impoverishment and chaos around us and feel acutely the temptation towards despair — even depression. However, spiritual insight is not given to us to indulge in morbid observations or condemnation of other people. It is a gift to help us, first to perceive what is really going on in the world; secondly to discern what is genuine and wholesome, and, thirdly, to be enabled to take decisive action for the spiritual health of the Church, especially our own little 'part' of it.

So spiritual insight is a gift to encourage and strengthen the Church and its members, not to draw them away from society or constantly incite them to curse its direction. We hope cells of loyal and determined faithful will form and help one another to live lives truly reflecting the love of Christ.