I hear comments every once in a while when I am in public wearing my cassock. I have mentioned a few before (even the ones that I had to censor). I had one the other day that was truly profound. It was intended as an insult, but because the speaker was clearly ignorant of history and the nature of the Church, it came across as more of a compliment.
So then, I am walking along and two women pass me heading in the opposite direction. I merely nod and say "howdy" to show common courtesy. They both responded in like kind. Then, as soon as they are behind me (and I am not sure if she wanted me to hear it or not), one of them says, "What century does he think this is?"
I did not turn back. I did not wince. I did not sigh. I pondered it for a moment. "What century?" she asked. Well, not to be obtuse, I am pretty sure it is the twenty-first century (and I presume she thinks the same thing). But to take her intended insult to its logical assumption, I think she was expecting me to answer something like "the tenth century"; sometime in those "horrible dark ages".
First, it is remarkable how offensive the cassock is. Yes, that is one of the reasons why I am willing to wear it in public; I may get beaten up for it someday, but people need to be shaken up by the traditional images of our faith (and the cassock is clearly one of them--even for some Catholics!). The world presumes that Catholicism is some decrepit organization that is no longer applicable to the modern day (at least the deceived and uneducated people do).
Second, there is this image of anything that the Church does or believes as being "dark" and "outdated". We are considered ignorant by people who are stunningly ignorant (which is to be expected). This is all the underlying presumption of modernism that if it is old, then it is bad. Modernists never consider the possibility that something could be old and yet so good that it is still here without change.
Third, it is a great blessing to be seen as "old" (even though they do not see it that way). It shows that we have been here much longer than they have; our theology goes back to creation, and theirs was invented a few years ago (and will change a few years from now!). We are still going strong, and they are quickly floundering. We have roots and they are withering in the sun.
So then, what century do I think it is? In one sense, I do not care what century it is. Christ rose victorious in the first century; and every century since then is His. He will come again at the last century and His faithful people will be vindicated. How would I answer her question if I could? It is Christ's century; always has been, always will be.