For many centuries, especially since the Crusades, Christians have tried to 'restore' the Church to its former glory and supreme universal position. Most efforts, even at the highest order, be that of bringing back the Latin Mass or emphasis on the Canon Law or fidelity to the practices of piety, have been to see the Church as what it was in the medieval times: glorious, resplendent, beacon of light for all and in all matters, be that of faith, liturgy, social or individual dilemmas, community squabbles; a universal point of reference or standard for matters concerning morality and justice. This intention was indeed noble and in a sense justifiable. However, there is one difficulty: That is not what Jesus wanted the Church to be!
Jesus wanted the Church to be more like the yeast: invisible, yet effective; useful but not pompous; felt but not standing out; communitarian, but not judgemental; true, but not proud. In the early days, the Church was rightly what Jesus wanted it to be. That's how it achieved all the glory and credibility. The challenge today is not to 'regain' that glory and credibility, but to be authentic. The former will eventually follow. And even if it does not, no big harm, because that is not what the Church is.
Jesus wanted the Church to be more like the yeast: invisible, yet effective; useful but not pompous; felt but not standing out; communitarian, but not judgemental; true, but not proud. In the early days, the Church was rightly what Jesus wanted it to be. That's how it achieved all the glory and credibility. The challenge today is not to 'regain' that glory and credibility, but to be authentic. The former will eventually follow. And even if it does not, no big harm, because that is not what the Church is.
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