"Too many rules"

At dinner the other night with the wife and my youngest son, the topic of conversation at some point turned to faith matters.  I can't at the moment honestly remember how we ended there but we briefly touched on some element of Catholicism (I believe it was my involvement in RCIA) and in response to a point I was trying to make, my youngest son replied, "Too many rules, just too many rules." I didn't have a ready response and thought it best not to attempt to fake one so we went off in a different direction but it's a thought I've certainly had more than once in my own life and in many different venues.

He's looking to be a PGA Club pro and is working at a golf course and on his skills so that he can qualify and get his card. We're all rooting for him of course as he loves the game but he's got to know (or soon will) that the PGA has a plethora of rules that govern play (47 pages worth in this pamphlet).  

He's also a huge Redskin fan (like his Dad) and I'm sure he's aware that there are also a ton of rules related to the game of football.

And as a stalwart baseball player growing up, my son has to be as aware that there are many, many rules that make up the Major League Baseball rulebook.

Things he enjoys and loves, all with rules and some with a boat load of them but something tells me he wouldn't see them to be "too many."

Yesterday the RCIA class I'm helping lead met for a retreat.  There are 15 adults looking to become Catholics this year in our church and remarkably, many of these folks are middle aged or older. During the half day session, they were asked to share what led them to RCIA  and more than a few commented on struggling with the faith's rules at some point along their respective paths.

And this morning, Father Mike's homily touched on the fact that for many, their faith journeys are marked by a season or seasons of rebellion, times of finding the weight of faith's tenets and rules to be too heavy to deal with.

The bottom line is that my son's struggles aren't unique struggles.  I've been there.  Many have been there. I hope that he realizes that his perspective is one that's been held by many before him and will be held by many after him.

I also hope that he'll understand that the tenets and rules of the faith are there for a reason... not so much to deny freedom but to ensure that we enjoy them more fully.  It's a paradox that will flummox but it's one I think is better embraced sooner rather than later.  I've told my sons before that lessons learned via the trials of others are lessons learned less painfully and given the experiences of so many that have gone before them, my prayer is that they'll both pay attention.

Here's hoping this all finds favor in their minds... and quickly.

Proverbs 3

Trust God

 ¹My child, remember my teachings and instructions

   and obey them completely.

 ²They will help you live a long and prosperous life.

 ³Let love and loyalty always show like a necklace,

   and write them in your mind.

 ⁴God and people will like you and consider you a success.

 ⁵With all your heart you must trust the LORD

   and not your own judgment.

 ⁶Always let him lead you, and he will clear the road

   for you to follow.

 ⁷Don't ever think that you are wise enough,

   but respect the LORD and stay away from evil.

 ⁸This will make you healthy, and you will feel strong.

Comments

[Bernie]

I have heard many Catholic's and non Catholic's complain about "Too many rules". It is amazing how people want a "burger king - have it your way" faith. Life has many rules and states and governments have many rules like it or not there are penalties if you do not follow them. It is eternality in the wrong place when we do not follow God's Laws and Church.

[allyHM]

This seriously needs a "like" button.

[Rick]

You should see a FB like button at the bottom of the comments page... I hope... I do...

:)

[RandomThoughts]

What Bernie said.

Our rejection of God's rules has something to do with the human condition and sin, I suspect. The first rule humanity rejected was a simple one ("don't eat that one particular tree's fruit") and we've been pushing against God's rules ever since. With predictably miserably results, I might add.

[Katherine]

It's like the rabbi said, there are not too many rules. Fear the Lord, and love thy neighbor as thyself. Everything else is commentary.

[allyHM]

Rick, there is! I had no idea that was there. Bottom of the page, really small....and all that.

[Mpg]

You have one smart kid there. If he will turn out to be a golfer, I believe he can be as huge as Tiger Woods! With regards to faith and religion, these are not rules. We are given the freedom to choose the path we want to take. But of course, we can't escape the responsibilities linked with our actions.