No half measures

Vatican, Apr. 07 (CWNews.com) – Catholics must not take "half-measures" in their spiritual lives, the preacher to the pontifical household said in a Lenten meditation on April 7.

Continuing his series of Friday sermons in the Redemptoris Mater chapel, Father Raniero Cantalamessa said that in the souls of many Christians, Christ is not imprisoned, but "free on parole." The Capuchin preacher explained that many believers allow Christ to "move, but within certain defined limits."

Christians, the papal preacher said, tend to place restrictions on what they think God can require of them. He outlined a typical Christian’s commitment:

Prayer, yes; but not to the point of losing sleep or rest… Obedience, yes; but not to the detriment of our own convenience. Chastity, yes; but not to the point of depriving ourselves of some entertaining spectacle…

Such a collection of "half-measures," Father Cantalamessa said, is evidence of a superficial faith. A deeper faith, he said, acknowledges the reality of Christ’s suffering and one’s own role in causing it.

"I am Judas who betrayed Him, Peter who renounced Him, the crowd that cried out against Him," the preacher said. "Each time I have preferred my satisfaction, my comfort, my honor to that of Christ, that is what has happened."

Superficiality Christianity, the preacher continued, reflects the "hardness of heart" that the Gospels mention: "the refusal to submit to God, to love Him with all one’s heart, to obey his law."

Or more succinctly has St. Thérèse said "You cannot be half a saint, you must be a whole saint or no saint at all."