I fully recognize the danger, having too much knowledge of faith, rubs elbows with. The Church has seen plenty of doctrinal and biblical experts who no longer seemed able to locate their knees for bending in humility and prayer.
I had the wonderful experience of dealing with the lofty only to finally recognize true faith in my simple Mother-in-law.One day as she was ironing shirts for her poor tenent from Poland, I, concerned she was being used by him, spoke up, only to be told, “If I don’t iron his shirts for him, who will?”
I hung my head -having been taught a valuable life lesson by a Catholic woman who spent much of her life on her knees praying.
This finally taught me how the simple folks have just as much chance for attaining heaven as do the brilliant theologians. I have since learned – maybe even a better chance. Intellegence, like beauty, can be a cross and/or an obstacle.

But… the thing one has to watch out for is mistaking one’s “geeky” interest in all things Catholic for genuine holiness, or assuming that it makes one a “better” or wiser Catholic than others not so inclined. Just because I can name the last 10 or so popes or can identify the 20-some different rites of the Catholic Church doesn’t mean I’m any closer to God or any more holy than someone who doesn’t know or couldn’t care less about these things.

Actually, your post seems very apropos to such a circumstance as that.

It kinda reminds me of why St. Francis himself was initially opposed to the study of theology for those of his order; he thought that such knowledge would puff them up.

It wasn’t until the great Anthony of Padua convinced him otherwise that he came to change his mind on the matter.

While this seemed apropos, I’d actualy had the post on the back burner for some weeks, and I like to think the point is generally applicable.

http://www.lifenews.com/int1254.html

1 ¶ If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
2 And if I should have prophecy and should know all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I should have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
3 And if I should distribute all my goods to feed the poor, and if I should deliver my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
4 ¶ Charity is patient, is kind: charity envieth not, dealeth not perversely, is not puffed up,
5 Is not ambitious, seeketh not her own, is not provoked to anger, thinketh no evil:
6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth with the truth:
7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

1 Cor 13: 1-7 (DRV)

Forgive me if I missed the cryptic vulgarity that might have actually been present in the Greek; after all, I’m not an Iafratist scriptural scholar but rather a biblical illiterate, no less; which apparently in Christ’s Kingdom means I’m consigned to the lowest dregs of Heaven’s heirachy or, even worse, destined to the lower bowels of Hell.

I would only add that, even more than a belief, Catholicism is a relationship. I am frequently reminded of John 15, when Jesus says “I am the vine, you are the branches…apart from me you can do nothing.” Even belief and action, very good things in themselves, and very great gifts, are wasted without prayer.