Thank you C.S. Lewis!

"A man can no more diminish God's glory by refusing to worship Him than a lunatic can put out the sun by scribbling the word, 'darkness' on the walls of his cell."

I know C.S. Lewis isn't a Catholic by name, but in his heart he must have been because he writes like one! I chose this quote because this is something I believe many people need to hear. At school, it seems that many Protestants feel that they are doing God a favor by worshipping Him, and I'm sure there are Catholics who have fallen into the same line of thought- perhaps by accident. The thought being that God is so lucky to have a great person like yourself as His disciple. C.S. Lewis does a great job of reminding us that God is indescribably amazing and powerful, and does NOT need any one of us to increase His status. God is the one who created EVERYTHING! You and I were nothing before God decided to create us. And, as Bill Cosby says when talking to his kids, "I brought you into this world, and I can take you out of it- then bring in someone else just like ya!" God does not need any one of us to make Him happy or to bring about a certain outcome. He could decide to destroy me now, then create another person to do the job He had assigned to me if He thought it would be best. Now, I do not say all of this because I don't think God loves us, cares about us, or wants us to follow Him. He does, because He would ultimately love it if each of His children could one day be united with Him forever. But we have to remember that, as Fr. Larry Richards says, "God is not Barney!" God demands respect! And I think part of the reason this new twisted philosophy is becoming more common is due to a lack of respect. In many Protestant churches- and even some (incorrect) Catholic Churches- the services aren't about worshipping God, they're all about being hip. It's all about the cool music, the coffee, and the testimonies where the "saved" person always cries. I do not say this to bash Protestants- but I can't help but think that they are making God to casual, to familiar! Any church service should always include kneeling before the King of Heaven, praying in fear and trembling that He will forgive you so that you might not be denied His light!

I ask all of you to prayfully consider your attitude toward God. Have you unintentionally made Him smaller? If you struggle with dumbing God down, I suggest two things. A song called "What Do I Know of Holy?" by Addison Road. This is a song by a Protestant group, but it's a group who knows God's real place. Second, I recommend An Introduction to a Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales. His meditations are perfect for realizing your place in this beautiful  and crazy world in relation to where God should be.

I hope this didn't sound harsh, but this is a problem I am surrounded by every day. And, it is something I struggle with also! I encourage all of you to keep this quote at the front of your mind as we approach the most sacred days in the Church calendar.

And may you worship our suffering Lord in awestruck reverance during this Holy Week!