I do think that part of the reason why young people do not have a proper sense of what the "lay" vocation is due to a loss of understanding of communal obligations and duties to others, a consequence of the loss of culture and tradition and the disintegration of community. But could it be that spiritual progress is only given to those who take the evangelical counsels seriously and return to a more simple lifestyle, ridding themselves of the consumption-ridden practices of our society as much as possible? Might it be that for us lay faithful, even those who are orthodox and well-catechized, that we seek a religion that is suited to our comfort level, and are unwilling to change our lifestyles in accordance with what may be demanded of us at this moment of time? And as a result we do not advance in becoming closer to God, even though we may go to Mass every Sunday and receive the sacraments, saying our prayers at the appointed times, and that the problems of the local Church are not only problems in themselves, but indicators of this deeper spiritual sloth plaguing the entire local Church?
While the consequences of our lifestyle may be apparent to the few, do the rest of us rest complacent in it, expecting it to continue forever, and taking offense if anyone should tell us that it is counter to reason and will exhaust itself and the communities that are addicted to it if it continues?
The Archdruid Report: The Innovation Fallacy
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