I am constantly struggling to put into words exactly what I observe to be the difference between Eastern and Western Christianity. I try to move beyond the form of the liturgy, the changes in doctrine, the influences throughout history, etc, because sometimes in conversation with Chris we are able to find common ground on all these things. But that doesn't mean our traditions are the same.
For example, there hasn't been a priest at his parish whose service of the Mass hasn't set my teeth on edge -- until these past two weeks. Who is this priest? An Eastern rite Catholic priest who has been given permission to serve the Western Mass.
There are outward things he does that I like: he crosses himself the same way I do, he doesn't say the filioque, he doesn't tell jokes, and he doesn't break right after communion for announcements. I don't think those things are the reasons I can endure Mass, though they certainly help. What is that thing? I don't know. It's whatever causes him to not tell jokes, not have everyone sit down and relax right after communion, and not give sermons on popular topics of the day. I can't explain what that thing is, but I'm sure it is the major difference between East and West that keeps escaping me.
I know there are Orthodox priests who approach their station less reverently than others, and there are probably some humble and pious Roman Catholic priests, but I don't believe that our traditions are just the sum of our priests. To me it seems that the thing I can't quite identify informs everything that we, both Eastern and Western Christians, do.
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Hi Amber,
Trying to give voice to the "intangible differences" between East and West is quite a large undertaking. While points of convergences are certainly important as well, I think that we forget that it is not only likeness, but difference that makes love possible
On Pentecost, it is precisely difference that God blesses with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit (tongues of fire come to rest on the heads of each apostle--not one tongue, but one tongue for each). Each Apostle receives his own share of the Holy Spirit so that he can undertake his own unique ministry.
Potentially, your search for the intangible differences between East and West can (I think) be much more than a search for disagreements. Rather, what I see in your search is a search for the unique vocation of each Church relative to the others.
Without going into details, I know that, were it not for my Roman Catholic education, I would not be an Orthodox priest or happily married or even (I suspect) a Christian of any kind. From my Catholic background, I have received a God inspired and healing intimacy with all things human.
Now that I am an Orthodox priest, I discover again and again how valuable my Catholic theological anthropology really is.
Orthodox Christians I think know a great deal about God, but sometimes not so much about the human.
And likewise, I think sometimes, Catholics know too much about humanity and not enough about God.
But if we sit down together, as partners, each with his or her own contribution to make, ah the things we can do to accomplish healing.
Just some thoughts.
In Christ,
+FrG
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