Sober and Realistic Christian Life

Bonaventure objected to the kind of utopia that deceives man [àla Joachim of Fiore => Hegel => Marx].

He also opposed an enthusiastic, spiritual-anarchical concept of the Franciscan movement and prevailed with a sober and realistic concept, something that offended many, and still does.

But he saw the answer to the question of utopia precisely in such non-utopian communities that were nonetheless driven by the passion of faith.

They don't work for a world beyond tomorrow; they work instead so that there may be something of the light of paradise present in this world today.

They live in "utopian" fashion, as far as possible, by renouncing possessions, self-determination, and eros and its fulfillment.

So a breath of fresh air comes into the world, breaking through its constraints and bringing God very close, right into the midst of this world.

--Joseph Ratzinger, Salt of the Earth, p. 63.


Plinthos comments: What the Cardinal here describes is manifested in a special way for example in the home-schooling movement and in the traditional Latin Mass, a small realistic way to live heaven on earth as far as possible, in the midst of great difficulties and limitations but striving for perfection in Christ on the earth today! "Something that offends many!"

We could also say that the Lay Movements in the Church are particular dynamisms of this Christian effort, at the same time needing to constantly temper the whimsical aspect of religious fervor.