The Catholic times. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1951-current, 1955-09-02
Just Among Ourselves


The teevision man, that tireess preacher Of the
modern, evanget, recently posed question What
said he "iS the thing most ardently desired by
everybody in the world? What is the one object OF
quest for rich and poor for people of high and low
degree?" Then the TV man gave the answer He
always gives answers. He held up large card with
the answer imprinted upon it, and, as he showed it,
solemnly pronounced the word printed there. The
word was COMFORT
A Catholic reads that answer with the OF
shock If comfort is the end and aim of human de-
sres, what has become of Christianity? What about
the Cross? What of the duty of seff-denia? What OF
penance without which by Gods word we
shall all perish? What of fasting and abstinence?
What Of the rigorous discipline required for the
attaining and holding of virtue?
Christ says Take up your cross daily and follow
me" TVism says, BE comfortable" st. Paul cries
Il chastiSe my body and bring it into subjection."
TVism cries, Comfort" Our Divine Lord says
blessed the poor in spirit the meek they that
mourn, the prosecuted and the illuminated" TNism
says, Blessed are the comfortable"
How far have we succumbed TO the gospel OF
comfort? Pause there Morocco, and weigh thy
value with even hand" Knowing that we are ded-
icated TO the service of God, the bearing Of the
Cross of Christ the ceaSeess war against the nfu-
ence of world, flesh and devil, how main
tanning that dedication? For il is far from enough
10 knoU the meaning and duties of life; life must
be arduousy conformcd to that knowledge, and in
this conforming there is much discomfort.
There is no merit in the fact of being
uncomfortable. Nor is there any demerit in thank
fully enjoying the decent comforts of existence, But
there is terrifying suggestion Of pure heatheniSm
and consequently rejection of all Christian faith
and practice, in the religion of comfort preached
openly today, as in the TV program.
Not only is this religion of comfort tand pleasure
entertainment, ease, SoftnesS, luxury-for these all
belong 10 the area of comfort false religion it is
a Selfdefeating religion. It's search is absolutely
doomed TO disappointment. Comforts quickly wear
out and the devotee is forced into the discomfort of
seeking new one.
It's comfortable to be healthy, but sickness comes
at last It's comfortable 10 indulge every appetite 10
the full but coying and disgust sure to follow.
It's comfortable to be young, but old age will not
submit to pills and liquids It's comfortable TO be
lazy, but a must work to live. It's comfortable
TO ull conscience to sleep, but the day of judgment
looms none the less.
The person who is actually determined to live a
Selfdenying life for God and the eternal good of
his soul, is the one who takes inevitable dis
comforts in stride Not seeking the material com
forts of life, he is not deeply troubled las the
comfort seeker is) by their absence. He exempties
the truth, even here on earth, that "he that shall
lose his life shall save it."
Consider the various ways in which the religion
OF comfort is preached One way is that of the TV
man who openly calls for comfort by name, tells
uS that pleasure improves our disposition. Another
is that of the lad who whoops it up for security,
whether this be in the form of annuiteS for old
age that may never come, or of amasSed wealth in
money OF lands or businesses Another is that of The
pilEmaker and the man who can't wait thirty sec
0ndS for tablet to dissolve but must instantly
Danish the discomfort of a headache. Another is that
of the resort owner who lures folk to pleasure
grounds where vacation supports vacancy of life and
spirit.
Now there is no paganism in taking a vacation
or an aspirin tablet There is no heresy in building
up an annuity or a bank account saving the require
menis of Justice But The thing preached, and by
many practlsed is the religion of such things the
very dedication OF lfe's best efforts to their attain
mcnt And the preachers of this religion are all
about us, never silent never missing opportunity
to drill into human minds the absolute necessity Of
being comfortable and having easy good time
with promise of more Of the same for tomorrow
We who seek to follow Christ in the way of
penance and humbleneSs of heart, We who knop
the true prescription for living are in constant peril
of losing our knowledge. Not indeed our mental
knowledge, bat our knowledge in practice. The au-
thor of ECcleSlaStieuS prayS TO God to help him
"leSt my ignorance increase and my offences be
multiplied" For the neglect of Christian living
really means the practical forgetting of how TO live
as Christian. knowledge fades into ignorance, and
ignoranceS increase. Then the man who sins against
the light is troubled no more, practically he has
ceased TO know the light; his ignorances have in
creased upon him. his offences multiplied.
Now and again when hear the sad history of
spiritual perverson, puzzled to understand
how person sincerely virtuous and deVout
could lose both feryor and faith The answer is not
far 20 seek; the puzzle is solved He has fol-
lowed the religion of comfort. he has edged into
the pure naganSm Of this world and its type OF
wisdom, Then his enorances have increased his
noble and devoted past are known no more his
offences are multiplied.