“Most cultures are first-half-of-life cultures, and even sadder, most organized religion almost necessarily sells a first-half-of-life spirituality.” Today Rohr knocks us off our self-centered religious high horse. Even our non-religious secular critics would cheer this posting. Sincere self-criticism is not a strength of institutional Christianity. In fact, it’s very rare; we cannot seem to see the “beam in our own eye” (Matt. 7:3). Rohr tells us that, “In the first half of life it is all about me. How can I be important? How can I be safe? How can I make money? How can I look attractive? And, in the Christian scenario, how can I think well of myself and go to heaven? How can I be on moral high ground? These are all ego questions. They are not the questions of the soul. Rohr laments that, “I’m sad to say, I think many Christians have never moved beyond these survival and security questions.” I am not as charitable as Fr Richard; I would replace “many” with “most”. For most card carrying Christians, “It’s still all about me, but piously disguised.” Most stand motionless, comfortably entrenched in the “first half of life”, not realizing that the journey has just begun. Be honest, doesn’t this describe most Christians you know? Doesn’t it describe most of the saints in your church? More personally, doesn’t it describe us? After describing the rather embarrassing and dismal state of the 21st century institutional church, Rohr outlines a more positive agenda for his future postings. He says, “Once God and grace move us to the second half of life, however, religion becomes much more a mystical matter, rather than a mere moral matter.” “Indeed, this is the work of true religion, to help us transition from stage to stage, toward ever-deeper union with God and all things.” Look out, things are going to get mystical! And NO, that does NOT mean magical or occult, like Grimm, Sleepy Hollow, or Harry Potter.
Posted on: Fri, 07 Mar 2014 12:02:31 +0000