Ultimately, do I get it?

As I look back at my last entry, I see it was far too long.  I think, "What was I trying to do?  Was I working hard to make a point or was I hitting someone over the head?"  I fear it may have been the latter for, at the time of writing, I was dealing with one of my core issues, namely, the over-clericalization of the Church.  This had raised its head that day at mass, with .the sudden arrival of multiple clergy wanting to concelebrate.  

Maybe this is simply what happens at a cathedral, but that line does not work with me.  I also concede that many would not get my point of concern.  So I will not dwell on it, but simply make my point and proceed.

Still, as I contemplate this conundrum, I wonder if I too live in a bubble.  This struck me just in the past week, when I discovered a whole world out there in social media, that I never even knew existed.  It is the world of social, political and religious influencers.  

As people of church, we may think we are having a profound influence on world affairs and people's lives, but I fear we may be kidding ourselves.   So much has changed, so quickly, such that the traditional influencers of life have fallen behind, being overtaken by users of social media.   

In our world, people are searching, with having been disillusioned and disaffected by traditional institutions of all kinds.  Their world has no real legacy.  So what is there for them?  They are searching, finding self-assuring voices online - social media influencers who exert a strong voice in our world.  

The questions arise.  How genuine, authentic, reliable are these influencers?   On my part. these questions can serve as a distraction from my real challenge, which is to get out of my small, church based bubble and face the fact that my staying self-assured, behind closed doors, is not good enough.  Move out and join the conversation that is happening in the world beyond, unknown to me.  

I am puzzled by what I have learnt.  Here, I am pursuing a conversation.  Conversation is ongoing and open ended.  Conversation seems lost in today's world.  That is my take, but am I correct?  Am I being arrogant in saying this?  Conversation is happening in new ways and in new realms.   This is a complex issue, not readily owned by my world.  I acknowledge this.  We too easily assert gospel truths, instead of entering into healthy conversation.  Do I really yet get it?