Affection

Originally posted to Irresistably Drawn, Summer 2005:

My fear is subsiding as my affection is increasing. I am coming to believe that it is simply not reasonable to "set aside" affections when wrestling with Catholic considerations. Chesterton put his finger on more than a nice-sounding opinion, he nailed down a reality when he said, "The moment men try to be fair to the Catholic Church they begin to be fond of it..."

The Bride of Christ is attractive because She is where we belong. Without excusing the present blemishes, we look past them to Her incredible beauty and desire to be used by God in sanctifying Her to perfection for our Saviour. We don't compromise our prior commitments to truth, we humbly petition for full communion with the Church that gives truth its place for flourishing.

The Church is a lovely Mother and once we have begun to listen to Her with pleasure, we cannot help but turn from our rebellious tendencies.