Do you remember those Planet Fitness commercials bemoaning the hyper gym-rats called “Lunks“? As someone that has just recently returned to the gym, the concept of lunks resonated to me with a similar experience as this one:
When confronted with some lunks, all of which were also still very nice and respectful individuals towards a lowly 200-pound bench presser like me, it crystallized a thought process that has been rattling around in my head. There are intense Catholic lunks. These lunks can sometimes make it uncomfortable for others in church that may not be “squatting” a Novena every day or “juicing” with the Catechism on their night table. Our Catholic Church is a big umbrella, self-described as Universal, and we enjoy the diversity of thought and layers of engagement in our faith and our religion. Lunks have a tendency to be aggressive and condescending when faced with a less-ripped (physically or spiritually) person.
There are some members of our faith who may not appreciate the various levels of engagement that many Catholics have with their church. Lunks call it being a “Cafeteria Catholic”, or, “CAPE Catholics” (Christmas, Ash Wednesday, Palm Sunday, Easter). These lunks even believe that if a family or individual do not prescribe to the same level of involvement and exact belief structure in their faith as they do, that they are not worthy, even calling these “others” heretical.
I was then hit over the head with the Catholic lunk situation this morning, when I happened to see a Tweet about a Stephen Colbert’s comments on the Catholic Church and the assault on Fidget Spinners. For those of you who have never seen a fidget spinner, it is usually a pronged toy that spins on ball bearings. Originally, it was intended to be used by children with learning and social needs, who fidgeted and were not able to pay attention in school or at home. However, these small platic and metal toys have been turned into a small phenomenon recently, with children of all ages wanting their spinners. They have broken out in the social consciousnesses and as a tool, some Catholic priests and Faith Formation instructors have been using them for catechesis on one of the core beliefs of Catholics, the Trinity:
When the fidget spinner is in motion, the three ends blur together. It would seem to be a simple and relevant way to describe the Trinity. In fact, as pointed out by many, it is the same priocess Saint Patrick took to explain the Trinity to the native Irish people when he was a missionary. He used the clover to showcase the three as One.
The Catholic lunks, however, are not impressed with this easy physical example of how The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit are all one God and one Being. They even call it Partialism and Sabellianism. However, it would seem that the best answer may be from Liz Raiss at The Outline:
Ultimately, the fidget spinner is a toy. It does not merit think pieces. It does not merit sermons. It does not merit The Atlantic’s characterization as “a rich, dense fossil of the immediate present.” It will not save the world, cure your ADHD, or explicate confusing theological concepts. A trendy, tactile plastic toy will not lead children to associate Catholicism with coolness, no matter how hard young, trendy priests may push. And it certainly won’t send anyone to hell.
Or, of course, you can go with God’s interpretation from the Late Show (disclaimer, this is a parody):
Hopefully, as Catholics, we can continue to provide a welcoming and joyous environment that can engage the entirety of the world with our positive faith that is inclusive of everyone. I would hate for some lunks to turn people away from our church because they don’t feel comfortable saying 500 Hail Mary’s each time they walk in the door.