Why I Like Opus Dei

Opus Dei. The Name itself sends "chills" through many living in the postmodern West. Inspired by the fictitious account of "Silas" the Opus Dei monk in the monumental best-seller The Da Vinci Code, Opus Dei is now a household name. In fact, due to reading The Da Vinci Code (or at least the first third of the novel), I too researched Opus Dei, read about its founder, and even met with a numerary of Opus Dei.

So, what is it that I like about Opus Dei?

Well, contrary to misconception that Opus Dei is some sado-masochist Roman Catholic cult, Opus Dei, instead reflects the essence of true Catholicism and its commitment to complete sanctification. Sanctification of work itself is stressed through focusing on how whatever daily task we do, whether it is preparing people's taxes at H & R Block or sweeping the trash of a city side-walk, Opus Dei calls its members to pursue holiness in and through their daily work. In fact, the very name Opus Dei means simply "Work of God" which in itself is a reflection of how the Redemption of Jesus Christ not only affects our souls, but also our physical bodies (Catholic Incarnational Theology), so that all of our daily work can be "lifted up" as a sacrificial love offering to the LORD.

Sanctification, for Opus Dei, also involves practices such daily reception of the Eucharist, the Physical Body and Blood of Jesus in the bread and the wine, daily prayers such as the rosary, and weekly confession. In short, Opus Dei is simply orthodox Catholicism, neither extremist, nor a "cult." Truly, some practices such as corporal mortification seem psychotic to many in the modern psycho-therapeutic West, yet when set within their proper theological context, even corporal mortification is nothing other than a vicarious sharing in the suffering of Jesus Christ. In places like Latin America in which pilgrims will walk on their knees as an offering of penance in union with Jesus' sufferings on Calvary, such practices are deemed beautiful, and a life-giving form of piety. In the modern West in which all suffering should be avoided at all costs, and any intentionally-inflicted suffering, irregardless of its theological (or anthropological context) is also deemed deviant at best and psychotic at worst.

No, even the most "extreme" practices of Opus Dei (such as corporal mortification) have an extremely well-grounded history set within 2000 years of Christian practice and still a part of the devotional practices of many Catholics throughout the globe.

So, why do I find Opus Dei so attractive you may still be wondering?

In short, I am impressed by Opus Dei's rigor, Opus Dei's scrutiny of sin, Opus Dei's continual call to repentance, Opus Dei's centering in the Eucharist and Opus Dei's sharing of resources. In short, Opus Dei is trying to simply be the Church.

Blessings,
Rob J King