Orthodoxy and rigidity

WE just have to make sure that we do not fall into

extremes. Let’s always remember that virtue is located between two

extremes—those of excess and defect.

             In our effort to pursue the ideal of orthodoxy or

correctness, something that we all should strive to do, we should

avoid falling into what may be called as the pharisaical attitude, on

the one hand, and laxity, on the other.

              The pharisaical attitude can be characterized as being

self-righteous, rigid, narrow and closed-minded, judgmental and often

censorious.  It can uphold the exclusivity of truth but miserably

fails to live the inclusivity of charity. It gets entangled with the

letter of the law but fails to discern the spirit behind that law. It

can only spawn a lifestyle of hypocrisy and inconsistency.

            This attitude was strongly condemned by Christ, as

dramatized in the following passages among other similar ones in the

gospel:

  

            “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You

lock the Kingdom of heaven before men. You do not enter yourselves,

nor do you allow entrance to those trying to enter.

  

            “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You

traverse sea and land to make one convert, and when that happens you

make him a child of Gehenna twice as much as yourselves.” (Mt 23,

13ff)

  

            We have to make sure that our effort to be doctrinal and

theological in our faith and piety does not lead us to becoming a

doctrinaire. This latter possibility can happen when our study of the

doctrine is done outside of the required loving relation with God and

others, and our obedience to the Church’s magisterium.

  

            When we are just too intellectual or emotional in our

approach to the study of the doctrine, and devoid of genuine piety and

devotion, the marks of self-righteousness will soon appear. Or when we

depend simply on the social and other temporal criteria in

understanding the doctrine of our faith, the same marks will surely

emerge.

  

            We need to see to it that our attitude to the doctrine of

our faith is one of reverence, a product of our living faith, hope and

charity. Whatever human means we use to study the doctrine, whether it

be philosophy, theology, sociology, etc., should only play an

instrumental role. They are meant to be servants, not masters.

  

            We need to create an atmosphere, nay, a culture, where the

proper approach to the study of the doctrine is always accompanied by

charity. Sad to say, a quick look around can only reveal clear traces

of tendencies toward a pharisaical attitude or toward laxity.

  

            We need to make it clear to everyone that the true measure

of one’s progress in orthodoxy is when his growing conviction of the

truths of our faith would make him more charitable to others, more

compassionate, and even willing to bear the weaknesses, mistakes and

sins of the others.

  

            This is how Christ, the fullness of truth and orthodoxy

himself, has shown us. Besides, he did not go around lording it over

all the others. Instead, he was self-effacing. He always tried to pass

unnoticed, even if his disciples wanted to show him off to the world,

etc.

  

            It’s clear that there is a direct relationship between

orthodoxy, on the one hand, and humility, willingness to obey and to

serve, willingness to suffer for all people, on the other.

  

            Are we ready for this?