February 20, 2011

• The Church Our Blessed Redeemer Saved

  

  I think that the Church is the only thing that is going to make the terrible world we are coming to endurable;

  
  

  the only thing that makes the Church endurable is that it is somehow the body of Christ and that on this we are fed.

  
  

  It seems to be a fact that you suffer as much from the Church as for it but if you believe in the divinity of Christ, you have to cherish the world at the same time that you struggle to endure it.

  
  

  
  

  
  

  Letter to friend, A
  from Flannery O’Connor
  20 July 1955

   

  On our recent visit to Adalusia Farm in Milledgeville, GA, we stayed long enough to attend mass at Sacred Heart Church.  Three WASPs and one RC (our Cincinnati friend) worshipped with this historic congregation, singing familiar hymns but feeling a bit distinct.

  I was glad we came into the house of the Lord where the O’Connor family had attended for generations.  I learned that Mary Flannery’s ancestors had immigrated as Catholics from Ireland and been instrumental in establishing Catholicism in their town, donating money and land.

  During the service my thoughts wondered about the church worldwide;  the priest was from Korea; one of the lay readers from New Jersey; many obviously not originally from the South.  I reflected on my attitude toward the institutional church and her condition, especially in light of A Frowning Providence, a recent post by one of my blogging buddies.

  Is she in a state of rubble?

  How does the LORD God view His Beloved Bride?

  Psalm 102  answered some of my questions, especially verses 12 – 22.   Link here to an excellent exposition at Sermonaudio.

  I love Thy Kingdom, Lord, The house of Thine abode.  (Link to Hymn 280, Blue Trinity Hymnal)

  Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise until him with psalms!

  Blessings on your Sabbath ~

   

  • 8:18 am
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