Why All “The Rules”?

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I have heard many people remark that the Church is "too legalistic," or that it's too hard to be Catholic because of "all the rules."  I have even had such feelings of "constraint" during the few short years that I have been in full communion with the Church.  However, I have realized that while it is "difficult" to be Catholic at those times, it is also very easy because I have an abundance of guidance for making a good moral decision (i.e., clear Church teaching and the examples of the saints).

As I read the following passage of Gaudium et Spes this afternoon, my thoughts were focused differently.  I was able to see the logical transition from the Gospel message taught by Christ to "the rules" established by the Catholic Church.
There is no human law so powerful to safeguard the personal dignity and freedom of man as the Gospel which Christ entrusted to the Church; for the Gospel announces and proclaims the freedom of the sons of God, it rejects all bondage resulting from sin, it scrupulously reswpects the dignity of conscience and its freedom of choice, it never ceases to encourage the employment of human talents in the service of God and man, and, finally, it commends everyone to the charity of all (GS 41).

Aha!  The Catholic Church prescribe all those "constrictive rules" because she is providing vast protection against the violation of individuals' dignity!  And all that time I thought the Church was just telling me I couldn't have any fun...he he!

Pray that Truth will reign, and all humanity will realize that the Church provides more freedom (properly understood) to humans than any other group, society, or institution ever has...or ever will.

God bless!

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