Roam where the journey takes you.

While driving around the other morning I got listening to a program on Catholic radio.  The man speaking was a former Protestant.  (What do you call a former Protestant?  I’ve heard many Christians call themselves a “fallen Catholic”, but if you “convert” to Catholocism are you a “raised Protestant”?)  Anyway,the man had travelled a road filled with questions as he selected the tradition that was best for him.  During his walk he encountered many priests, some who he considered sages, and others he had considered scalawags.  He questioned a sage on the Catholic belief that one confess to a priest rather than go directly to Christ (or any Trinity member, for that matter).  The sage’s advice was that any priest, when acting in a holy capacity, was OK, as any priest would be acting as Christ at the point of confession. 

OK by me, but it was his next point that go me.  The sage had gone on to question the new Catholic about his choice of doctors.  Did the man look closely at their lives?  Did he question the “man” behind the “MD”?  Certainly not…any MD was worthy of our trust, and that’s the way it should be for priests. 

I guess this is why some physicians have a God complex.  We give it to them.  And our Godly folks tell us to.  Hrumph.

 

Fifteen years ago I took a trip to one of my doctors for that yearly visit.  For the record, I got his name from the list of qualified physicians that was recognized by my insurance company.  I hadn’t had my check up with him yet, but he called me into his (smoke filled) office.  He sat there and asked me what I thought about his high cholesterol (he was an Ob/Gyn, so he probably didn’t know about such stuff or have access to such information).  I gave him my 2-cents, which probably involved something about getting off his fat behind, moving, and giving up a few of his (obvious) bad habits…punctuated by his bulbous red nose.  It was a 30 minute conversation.  I left with my records in hand without getting his sage advice about what was going on in my nether-regions.  It seemed like the most appropriate thing to do. 

People laugh at religious f olks, you know, with that “blind faith” we’re known to have.  Faith, by nature, is blind.  Or at least in need of a good pair of glasses.  We have glimmers of Holy visions and whispers of insights.  But medical and health care advice does not have to be blind.  And it shouldn’t be blind.  If we’re allowed to chat and confess and listen to God (or the Universe fo the Collective Consciousness) then we’re certainly at liberty to discuss the intricacies of our healthy lifestyles with a mere mortal.  Or Dr. Mere Mortal.  Or M. Mortal, MD. 

I don’t identify as a Catholic, which doesn’t stop me from listening to their radio programs.  It’s all part of the path to seeing what’s right for me, to strengthen my convictions, or to choose another side path for sight-seeing.   Those off-the-beaten-path trails that often get us off on a tangent are laced with interesting people.  Some with whacky viewpoints, some with new and improved thoughts, and some quite cutting edge.  Some challenge the norm.  Some ARE the norm…but maybe YOU  just got a little lost in the first place.  

When in Rome, look for the roamers.