The Barque Isn’t a DIY Project: Why We Need to Let Go of the Wheel

We live in a culture obsessed with custom playlists and bespoke everything. It’s easy to see how that mindset bleeds into the pews, turning the faith into an à la carte buffet where people pick and choose what they want to believe.

We’ve all seen it: someone loves the community, the sacraments, and the rich history, but decides they know better than the Church on tough moral teachings or dogma. The problem is, the moment you get to pick your own truth, you aren’t following God anymore—you’re just worshipping your own reflection.

The core disconnect usually comes down to authority. People start treating the Church like a democracy where the laity are the shareholders and the clergy are just employees expected to cater to popular opinion.

In reality, Christ didn’t hand out steering wheels; He gave us shepherds. The clergy—in union with the Pope—are the ones driving the bus, tasked with safeguarding the Deposit of Faith through every shifting cultural wind. We are called to be the passengers, trusting the route even when the road gets steep or uncomfortable.

True freedom in the faith isn’t found in inventing your own rules. It’s found in humility—trusting the drivers God put in place and letting go of the wheel.