Thursday, April 17, 2014

Creativity in the Catholic Church

Jesus said that He had to leave in order for His Spirit to come to us, “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.”  Not only did God become man to offer us salvation He also told us that along our journey home He would be with us always!  Now some people who have perused the Catholic faith from a distance (usually the younger generation) have shared with me that they find godly things boring.  To them I say, how can a God who created the universe with such imagination and attention to detail be boring?  As if wasn’t enough to be surrounded by all this natural beauty, He left us the greatest legacy: His Holy Spirit.  Pope Francis said that the Holy Spirit is extremely creative, and while the traditions of the Catholic Church will forever remain authentic the Holy Spirit inspires us to use our imaginations in our efforts to reach others for Christ. 

A few weeks ago I saw a video of religious sister participating in Italy’s The Voice.  The show is a reality television singing competition that begins with blind additions.  The coaches (judges) are turned away from the contestant and if they like what they hear they press a button that turns their seats and simultaneously casts their vote in favor of the participant.  As the judges turned in their seats and saw Sister Cristina singing “No One” their stupefied reactions - simply priceless.  The video of this singing nun has become an internet sensation.  As the judges pressed her with questions like: whether she was a real sister, what she was doing on a secular show and finally if the Holy Father knew she was on television.  She joyfully said that she was just following orders to evangelize, that she was sharing her gift with the world and she hoped that she would get a call from the Pope (smile).  Sister Cristina has garner a lot attention simply following the creative power of the Holy Spirit.  She also mentioned in an interview days after the show that many people had written to her sharing that she motivated them to return to the faith, to pray more and to see faith differently. 

My creative Easter Nails!

Goodness and everything authentic tends to spread and God challenges us to use our gifts for Him and the Kingdom.  If holy things appear boring, God is not to blame it’s us who haven’t tapped into our creativity that are lacking, for “Jesus can also break through the dull categories with which we would enclose Him and He constantly amazes us by His divine creativity. Whenever we make the effort to return to the source and to recover the original freshness of the Gospel, new avenues arise, new paths of creativity open up, with different forms of expression, more eloquent signs and words with new meaning for today’s world.”  The saints knew that God appreciates variety and innovation look at the many different religious orders that have won millions of souls for Christ.  Though the TRUTH never changes the methods can be modified especially to reach a falling young generation.  There’s a lot of work to do, how is God calling you to assist Him?    


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