I saw this cute little quote today and it gave me some fodder for a post. It just so happens on this same day I was blessed to hear multiple stories of folks' bad experiences with either the Catholic Church as an organization or it's members, the Body of Christ.
I always listen respectfully to these experiences because they are painful for the one speaking. Usually, very painful, which is why it causes such a visceral reaction. I use that adjective on purpose because it has been my experience that it is an emotional as opposed to an intellectual response to pain. Understandable.
So often, the story conveyed is from childhood or early adulthood and many times having to do with parents who were less than ideal. This little tidbit shows how terribly important our faith life and how it is lived affects our children.....forever.
I think it's important for those who have been wounded to remember that it is flawed, broken, sinful human beings who represent the Church on earth but their actions or words are not what the Church officially teaches. If we have a question, problem, beef with a particular faith tradition I think it is super important to go to the source of their teachings to get the real picture. It is not helpful to get information about any particular religion from those who wish to criticize.
So much, well, really everything I hear that people dislike about the Catholic Church is a distortion in some fashion. The poor Church is misrepresented by the media and unfortunately this is where most folks get their information. If someone really knows the truth and teaching and they still have a beef, I respect that. Really, I can. The Church has withstood much in her 2000 years and Scripture is clear that the gates of hell shall not prevail, so I'm not worried.
I am, however, worried about people who have been terribly wounded by a grumpy priest, a superstitious mother or grandmother, anyone who puts forth a negative spin on the Truths of the Faith. This is so damaging, so destructive, even evil. There is a saying, "No one ever left the Catholic Church for what they knew, it is what they did not know". Never a truer word written.
It was painful to listen to what the folks today had to say about Catholics who hurt them deeply. Painful because the person wounded usually forms a disdain for the Church and not the person who has misrepresented the Church. We are responsible for the image we put forth as Catholic Christians. Not only responsible because we represent something, but because we have the power to hurt others in the name of the Church.......dangerous indeed.
We must remember that if we live our Faith and people around us know we are Catholics we have a grave responsibility to put forth the Truth. Do I know my Faith? Do I know what my Church teaches and why? Can I answer others' questions and if I cannot, do I know where to find the answers? Am I obedient to what the Church teaches so I am not perceived as a hypocrite? This last question is very important. I have had heated disagreements with people over issues in the Church, but I have been blessed that they could see even if we disagreed I was trying my best to live what I believe and this gave me and the Church, credibility. They had respect for my belief because I lived it.
Do I always live out my faith in a way others can see the goodness of God? I am saddened to say no I do not and I wonder how many folks I have turned away from God by my actions or words. I have to hope the good I do outweighs my stupidity.....not so sure about that one but the effort goes on. God is so much bigger than I, so much bigger than the sins of His children. He can always bring good out of bad. But I have to wonder like the child above.....if we ever give God a headache.
~Lenten Blessings~
Lisa
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