I try very hard not to let politics creep into this space. The only outcome of having the political world become part of these reflections is to divide a beautiful community. Those that know me, know that I do not shy away from political discussions and am not afraid to voice my opinion. And while that may be appropriate in some contexts, I don’t see it as being a part of reflections on God’s word. So bear with me while I reference a political issue that is currently in the news (be aware that I am writing this on April 17th because I am leaving on vacation in a couple days and wanted to get my reflections “in the can”) What I am referring to is the dust up between President Trump and Pope Leo. My commentary here is not centered on who is right and who said this or that and what they should have said. What I want to discuss is the fallout that was seen in places like Facebook posts.
This issue has opened up a forum for people who do not like the Catholic Church to voice their venom on the Church that Jesus founded. Here is just part of one comment posted in response to the situation:
Cathoic doctrine from the chair of st Peter means nothing. The word is the only power. Not a priest bishop or pope. Cathedra and the catholic church is a farce. Catholism is a man made construct not made by christ. Catholism thinks its THEIR faith only. They are wrong. Catholics dont even follow the word. Mary was a sinner. Priest cannot absolve sin, sacraments are a farce, and baptism is not needed for salvation. (misspellings from the writer)
And there are many more. But as faithful, practicing Catholics we know that the vast majority of these insults directed towards the Church are unfounded and grounded in ignorance of Catholic teaching. Archbishop Fulton Sheen famously said this:
“There are not over a hundred people in the United States who hate the Catholic Church. There are millions, however, who hate what they wrongly believe to be the Catholic Church—which is, of course, quite a different thing”.
What I have a hard time understanding is why someone, who does not agree with the beliefs of the Catholic Church, have to go the next step and hurl insult after insult at her. If you do not believe in God. Do not believe Jesus is the Son of God. If you do not believe He is truly present in the Eucharist. If you don’t believe Mary was a virgin. If you don’t believe she was sinless or assumed into heaven. If you don’t believe she should be honored, not worshipped. If you don’t believe that Jesus initiated the sacraments and they instill grace. If you don’t believe Jesus gave Peter the Keys to the Kingdom and made him the first pope. If you don’t believe in apostolic succession. If you don’t believe in infant baptism. Well…then don’t!! But why bash that which you don’t agree with?
As Catholics we believe that there are only two genders, male and female and they cannot change. We believe that marriage is between one man and one woman. We believe it is sinful for relations to occur (and you know what I mean by relations) between same sexes. But we do not believe that two men or two women cannot love one another. Jesus calls us to love all, even your enemies. And that love consists of willing the best of the other person even to the point of self-sacrifice. These truths are what the Church teaches. But we are often hated for all these beliefs. But then I read this from today’s Gospel:
Jesus said to his disciples:
“If the world hates you, realize that it hated me first.
If you belonged to the world, the world would love its own;
but because you do not belong to the world,
and I have chosen you out of the world,
the world hates you.
So if we are not being hated by the world then maybe we are not speaking out in favor of the Gospel and Church teaching. A few weeks ago my reflection talked about an airline flight attendant who was fired because he was discussing Catholic teachings with another attendant while working on board during a flight. There were a few comments about not judging people. And I think these comments are relevant to this discussion. I believe the idea behind the feelings to not judge is that we do not want to risk making someone feel bad by our beliefs and it is not up to us to evaluate someone based on our beliefs. But I think it is important to recognize that there is a difference between judging a behavior and judging a person.
One of Jesus’ parables is about the wheat and the weeds. The master of a house is confronted by his servants because they have found weeds in amongst the wheat and they want to pull the weeds out. The master tells them to wait until the wheat is mature and the weeds can be differentiated from the wheat. Then the wheat can be put up in barns and the weeds burned. The final judgement of a person is made by God at the end of time giving every person a chance to come back into relationship with Him.
But we are also commanded to address a behavior in others that is contrary to the Gospel. To point out transgressions so that the other person does not continue down a wrong road. After all, one of the missions we have in this life is to help others get to heaven. Here are a few verses that allude to this:
Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. (Galatians 6:1)
Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. (Colossians 1:28)
Do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother. (II Thessalonians 3:15)
“Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him” (Luke 17:3)
So we do have the mandate from Jesus and his disciples to point out sin in our brothers and sisters but we are to do so with love and compassion. And we are to forgive. But at no time are we to imply that we know, because of this particular sin, they will not be saved. The good thief on the cross, in spite of sin and not being baptized, was given salvation by Christ from the cross. And Jesus forgave the woman caught in adultery but he also admonished her to go and sin no more.
And this is where I think most of the hatred towards Catholics arise. When we speak against sinful behavior we are accused of judging others and, I think, this leads to condemnation of our faith. People find doctrines within the Church to come down on and discredit so that others will discredit the Church. And many also aim to discredit us individually. I have had friends question my integrity and compassion for others when I speak out against abortion. In an attempt, I believe, to shame me into not speaking out in the future.
So, remember that we are not, ultimately, of this world. Our true home is waiting for us. And in my “exit interview”, as Patrick Madrid likes to say, I hope I can say that I did what I could to speak the truth of the Gospel regardless of where it landed. After all, in that regard, we are in good company.
