Dear friend,
Here on our journey toward The Inspired Life, we know that challenges come. We know that life is messy, and we’re pressing onward to find the hope that sometimes seems hidden under everything else.
Recently, I was invited to be a guest for an episode of a new project.
is the podcast for those who have experienced real harm AND real grace in the Catholic Church. Every episode, has conversations with guests about the good and the bad in the Church—avoiding easy answers or black & white fundamentalism—in order to hold on to all that is true.In this episode, Paul picks my brain about how the abundant life Christ promised (John 10:10) is possible amid the real challenges of contemporary Catholics.
A peek behind the curtain
Receiving Paul’s invitation a few weeks ago came as a surprise. I’ve spent dozens of hours listening to his interviews and reflections on Catholicism, and have benefited greatly from his pursuit of nuance and faithfulness as he listens to voices on the margins.
The evening that we recorded a discussion for Third Space, I’d already had an extraordinarily blessed day — involving my bishop, a stranger named Angela, and crying happy tears over my lunch! By the late afternoon, I’d resigned to just trusting that God would provide me the energy and clarity of mind for the podcast.
Besides all of the above, Paul and I had our schedules overlap for this recording on August 19... This date is significant for me, because it is the anniversary day of when Heȟáka Sápa, Nicholas Black Elk, passed away from this mortal life. Grandfather Black Elk — as I have been calling him in both reverence and affection — has entered my life in a way so real that I actually submitted a formal statement to his Cause for Canonization about several experiences involving what I contend is his prayerful intercession, which were both surprising and healing in my family’s life.
I look forward to sharing more about him with you in later letters, but for now I wish to highlight how Black Elk lived in a ‘third space’ surpassing the categories of general public opinion; he was simultaneously an Oglala Lakota holy man and a devout Catholic catechist.
The truth is, none of us originates in a comic book, fulfilling all of the stereotypes that exist about our various personal, social, religious, ethnic, or political qualities… That’s counter-cultural to consider, isn’t it? It’s counter-cultural because our tribalism, our ‘content feeds,’ our headlines and ‘talking heads’ do not benefit from our consideration of an individual person’s complexity and belovedness by God.
We would do well to celebrate each other’s beauty, to listen to each other’s stories, and to meet each other in a third space far apart from any extreme other than the Supremest Love who is our God.
Might I Clarify?
Speaking of nuance, I’d like to nuance something I said during the episode. Regarding the frequency of sacramental reception, I became excited about sharing the importance of pastoral flexibility. My example during the show involved someone who suffered abuse by members of the Church (including institutional leadership) which affected their relationship with the sacraments. Another example I could have given is my own journey struggling with scrupulosity and obsessive-compulsive tendencies which has affected by relationship with Confession. I’ve learned that people carry hidden burdens which affect how they can be helped by participation in the sacraments… which is why I don’t believe in preaching ‘new norms’ like, “Everyone should go to Confession weekly / monthly / etc.”
My tired brain failed to note that I do, however, assent it is ‘right and just’ for the Magisterium to create norms for sacramental reception. These norms provide an important baseline.
If you ever have questions about how often you or a loved one ought to receive the sacraments, especially if you/they carry a particularly heavy burden, consider discussing this with a caring pastor. I am praying for you.
With that being said, I hope and pray that you’ll benefit from our conversation in the Third Space.
Peace,
Angela