We do not have a grievance-driving Christian Nationalism in the US. What we have is a Christianity that has lost its identity and has been absorbed by the prevailing secular culture. Observe your empty churches and Islamic dominated cities before throwing stones. Europe is exactly what we are trying to prevent from happening here in the US and it is happening at an alarming pace.
I’ll just respectfully disagree Father. Christianity from my perspective has been co-opted by politicians. This is the primary reason I support neither major US political party. I do essentially what the US Catholic bishops are afraid to say.
Second, preaching about Christianity losing its identity and “being absorbed by secular culture” is what has Catholics racing for the exits (or not attending Mass at all). Neither of my parish priests contend this or bully-pulpit it, and all 5 of our weekend Masses (700 seat church) are full. People want to hear gospel exegesis, not about sour & dour secular culture. The Good News not more scapegoating.
And speaking of throwing stones, I doubt that Jesus ever threw them at Islam or Muslims even for “dominating cities”. We should focus on why we (Catholicism) are losing souls and not dominating or having a voice (USCCB divisions and infighting) in anything. ☮️ 🙏
I was thinking more of a US cultural level rather than the political level. Regarding Catholics, it amazes me how many buy into the secular ideologies on all of the hot button issues. In parishes where there is a strong presence of immigrants from Latin America, Africa, and Asia, this is not the case. Latin Mass communities are very strong too. Regarding Islam, that is a post Pentecost phenomena, so we don’t know what Jesus would have said. However, look at Europe. Scary.
"People should be able to see that we’re Christians merely by speaking or looking at us. You should be so much on fire that it should be quickly noticeable."
Yes! If we pursue a deep prayer life this could happen, but also we have to be open to it, because although to be "on fire and not consumed" (causing curiosity in another: what is up with that bush?) does not destroy us and therefore is not to be feared, not every part of it is going to be comfortable in the sense that we initially understand comfort. And God permits us to say no to little things that He asks, and to drag our feet in the things we do not wholly reject rather than love Him with reckless abandon; thus I write "could" and not "will". We ought to be open to being actually spiritually on fire (without concern for what that will look like in myself) and this probably starts just by praying "*make* me open to what You want to do in me, O Lord" (or for the very adventurous, asking the Blessed Virgin Mary, who is an extremely bold intercessor, "obtain for me the grace of being open to what God wants to do in me" and then fasten one's seatbelt.)
Jesus compares the Church to a vine, and it’s very apt. We have a lot of vines around here. Cut off the top, they just grow back. Cut off their roots, and they stay in place but without any life; they wither and linger, dead structures. But unless you dig them up completely, they just grow back from wherever they were cut. It may take them a long time to get back to where they were, but if they aren’t cut again, they will.
The Church was cut close to the roots in many parts of Europe in the 20th century, but small as it has become, it is still a fruitful vine where there is life flowing in.
And it’s tempting to think it’s all Vatican II, which undoubtedly played a role. But Wojtyla saw the problem in the Netherlands in the 1940s, and Luigi Giussani saw it in Italy in the 1950s; the structures were intact, but the life of the Spirit had been cut off, already before the Council.
To be obnoxious and provide a contrary perspective on a non-controversial statement, "People should be able to see that we’re Christians merely by speaking or looking at us. You should be so much on fire that it should be quickly noticeable." It's well and good for someone who is naturally extraverted, I suppose, but what if you're introverted or depressed? What if you can't speak? What if your face just doesn't look happy when you're not forcing a smile onto it?
For people who have the personality type to evangelize, I'm very happy for them that they find it so easy, and that people ask. But I think there are many who live lives of sincere devotion who will never once be approached and asked "why are you so peaceful and happy?" because, in worldly terms, they aren't. It's not a guarantee. Our Lady has explicitly told a visionary or two (St. Bernadette?) that she would or could not grant them happiness in this life. In 1 Corinthians 12, St. Paul makes it pretty clear that not everyone is called to the same external role, and Our Lord makes it quite clear in the Sermon on the Mount that the interior life comes first (going so far as to make it look like an exterior presentation of our faith is even a problem, though that's hyperbole).
Daniel, it isn't about being an extrovert at all...or smiling all the time. It is something on a deeper level.
Before I became a nun I worked in a pharmacy. Everyday, I would pray, "Jesus, let them experience your love through me." It doesn't mean I was always happy and upbeat but I hope that they did experience something of God through me. I won't know this side of heaven.
What a beautiful interview! I have young adult children, and so I know the Church is young, alive and well in little corners here in NH, but what a joy to be reminded that it's alive and well in faraway corners a well. May God bless Fr. Ansinger and his priesthood!
This interview resonated very, very deeply with me. After the Lord ended my prodigal, I was an eager believer - but bereft of solid (= orthodox) preaching. Then our parish got a Dominican pastor. From that encounter I ultimately wound up studying in a Dominican seminary - as a layman. Learning (not just hearing) Truth was pure joy. Mind you, I was living and working (was a cop) in the midst of a hyper secular world - the SF Bay Area, and encountered every kind of objection to our Faith, and sane living in general, that can be imagined. I was living evangelically constantly. St. Thomas and the Dominicans who taught him to me were - and still are - great signs of the condescending compassion and magnificent mercy of Almighty God.
Schillebeeckx’ early work is great. Origen and Tertullian had orthodox periods also.
But - during this time - I attended a commencement speech given by Schillebeeckx where he said (actual quote!) “What you Protestants must understand is that for Catholics a Sacrament is merely a metaphor.” Which, of course, is the one thing a Sacrament absolutely is NOT. (We Catholics back the referred to the Dutch theologian and his German colleague as ‘Sillybooks’ and ‘Hans Dung’.
It took St. John Paul the Great to finally correct their heretical stuff. No surprise that he earned his first doctorate at the Angelicum - the Dominican university in Rome.
goed gedaan! Edgar needs to do more interviews.
Dankjewel :)
More Edgar!
His interviews show a depth and breath of knowledge that compliments or sometimes.gently challenges the comments of those he speaks with.
“The hallmark of Christianity is gratitude. This is something we have to learn again.”
And unlearn grievance-driven Christian Nationalism in the US.
We do not have a grievance-driving Christian Nationalism in the US. What we have is a Christianity that has lost its identity and has been absorbed by the prevailing secular culture. Observe your empty churches and Islamic dominated cities before throwing stones. Europe is exactly what we are trying to prevent from happening here in the US and it is happening at an alarming pace.
I’ll just respectfully disagree Father. Christianity from my perspective has been co-opted by politicians. This is the primary reason I support neither major US political party. I do essentially what the US Catholic bishops are afraid to say.
Second, preaching about Christianity losing its identity and “being absorbed by secular culture” is what has Catholics racing for the exits (or not attending Mass at all). Neither of my parish priests contend this or bully-pulpit it, and all 5 of our weekend Masses (700 seat church) are full. People want to hear gospel exegesis, not about sour & dour secular culture. The Good News not more scapegoating.
And speaking of throwing stones, I doubt that Jesus ever threw them at Islam or Muslims even for “dominating cities”. We should focus on why we (Catholicism) are losing souls and not dominating or having a voice (USCCB divisions and infighting) in anything. ☮️ 🙏
Joe:
I was thinking more of a US cultural level rather than the political level. Regarding Catholics, it amazes me how many buy into the secular ideologies on all of the hot button issues. In parishes where there is a strong presence of immigrants from Latin America, Africa, and Asia, this is not the case. Latin Mass communities are very strong too. Regarding Islam, that is a post Pentecost phenomena, so we don’t know what Jesus would have said. However, look at Europe. Scary.
Amen, Father!
You are reading what is obvious in the thinking of many folks in the pews as a priest and caring pastor.
I feel like nearly every comment you post around here could be labeled “grievance driven,” including this one.
:)
Wonderful interview, thank you Edgar. May our Lord bless the Dominicans in Europe as abundantly as He has in the US.
Really outstanding interview. So much knowledge and truth to absorb, learn and apply. Thank you.
Loved this interview! Hopefully he'll become an ongoing occasional guest like Bishop Varden! Things are happening in Northern Europe :D
I can’t even explain how much I loved this interview. It was exactly what I needed to read today. Thank you!
Stumbled upon his chant channel on YouTube last year and was hooked
"People should be able to see that we’re Christians merely by speaking or looking at us. You should be so much on fire that it should be quickly noticeable."
Yes! If we pursue a deep prayer life this could happen, but also we have to be open to it, because although to be "on fire and not consumed" (causing curiosity in another: what is up with that bush?) does not destroy us and therefore is not to be feared, not every part of it is going to be comfortable in the sense that we initially understand comfort. And God permits us to say no to little things that He asks, and to drag our feet in the things we do not wholly reject rather than love Him with reckless abandon; thus I write "could" and not "will". We ought to be open to being actually spiritually on fire (without concern for what that will look like in myself) and this probably starts just by praying "*make* me open to what You want to do in me, O Lord" (or for the very adventurous, asking the Blessed Virgin Mary, who is an extremely bold intercessor, "obtain for me the grace of being open to what God wants to do in me" and then fasten one's seatbelt.)
Jesus compares the Church to a vine, and it’s very apt. We have a lot of vines around here. Cut off the top, they just grow back. Cut off their roots, and they stay in place but without any life; they wither and linger, dead structures. But unless you dig them up completely, they just grow back from wherever they were cut. It may take them a long time to get back to where they were, but if they aren’t cut again, they will.
The Church was cut close to the roots in many parts of Europe in the 20th century, but small as it has become, it is still a fruitful vine where there is life flowing in.
And it’s tempting to think it’s all Vatican II, which undoubtedly played a role. But Wojtyla saw the problem in the Netherlands in the 1940s, and Luigi Giussani saw it in Italy in the 1950s; the structures were intact, but the life of the Spirit had been cut off, already before the Council.
Thanks for the interview, it was great to read!
To be obnoxious and provide a contrary perspective on a non-controversial statement, "People should be able to see that we’re Christians merely by speaking or looking at us. You should be so much on fire that it should be quickly noticeable." It's well and good for someone who is naturally extraverted, I suppose, but what if you're introverted or depressed? What if you can't speak? What if your face just doesn't look happy when you're not forcing a smile onto it?
For people who have the personality type to evangelize, I'm very happy for them that they find it so easy, and that people ask. But I think there are many who live lives of sincere devotion who will never once be approached and asked "why are you so peaceful and happy?" because, in worldly terms, they aren't. It's not a guarantee. Our Lady has explicitly told a visionary or two (St. Bernadette?) that she would or could not grant them happiness in this life. In 1 Corinthians 12, St. Paul makes it pretty clear that not everyone is called to the same external role, and Our Lord makes it quite clear in the Sermon on the Mount that the interior life comes first (going so far as to make it look like an exterior presentation of our faith is even a problem, though that's hyperbole).
Daniel, it isn't about being an extrovert at all...or smiling all the time. It is something on a deeper level.
Before I became a nun I worked in a pharmacy. Everyday, I would pray, "Jesus, let them experience your love through me." It doesn't mean I was always happy and upbeat but I hope that they did experience something of God through me. I won't know this side of heaven.
What a beautiful interview! I have young adult children, and so I know the Church is young, alive and well in little corners here in NH, but what a joy to be reminded that it's alive and well in faraway corners a well. May God bless Fr. Ansinger and his priesthood!
A great interview, Pillar, thank you... though I'm a bit biased. 😉
This interview resonated very, very deeply with me. After the Lord ended my prodigal, I was an eager believer - but bereft of solid (= orthodox) preaching. Then our parish got a Dominican pastor. From that encounter I ultimately wound up studying in a Dominican seminary - as a layman. Learning (not just hearing) Truth was pure joy. Mind you, I was living and working (was a cop) in the midst of a hyper secular world - the SF Bay Area, and encountered every kind of objection to our Faith, and sane living in general, that can be imagined. I was living evangelically constantly. St. Thomas and the Dominicans who taught him to me were - and still are - great signs of the condescending compassion and magnificent mercy of Almighty God.
Schillebeeckx’ early work is great. Origen and Tertullian had orthodox periods also.
But - during this time - I attended a commencement speech given by Schillebeeckx where he said (actual quote!) “What you Protestants must understand is that for Catholics a Sacrament is merely a metaphor.” Which, of course, is the one thing a Sacrament absolutely is NOT. (We Catholics back the referred to the Dutch theologian and his German colleague as ‘Sillybooks’ and ‘Hans Dung’.
It took St. John Paul the Great to finally correct their heretical stuff. No surprise that he earned his first doctorate at the Angelicum - the Dominican university in Rome.
I missed this when it was first published. A really excellent interview that offers hope no matter where secularization has taken hold.