Noted below is a portion of St. Paul’s 2nd Letter to the Corinthians Chapter 11. It is worthwhile to read and contemplate when one is frustrated and disappointed with the problems and sacrifices one experiences in daily living. Following Jesus Christ is not for those desiring fair weather or for the faint hearted; it requires a dogged determination and a firm fixture on whom one is seeking – the Christ.
“So many others have been boasting of their worldly achievements, that I will boast myself. But if anyone wants some brazen speaking – I am still talking as a fool – then I can be as brazen as any of them, and about the same things. Hebrews, are they? So am I. Israelites? So am I. Descendants of Abraham? So am I. The servants of Christ? I must be mad to say this, but so am I, and more than they: more, because I have worked harder, I have been sent to prison more often, and whipped many times more, often almost to death. Five times I had the thirty-nine lashes from the Jews; three times I have been beaten with sticks; once I was stoned; three times I have been shipwrecked and once adrift in the open sea for a night and a day. Constantly travelling, I have been in danger from rivers and in danger from brigands, in danger from my own people and in danger from pagans; in danger in the towns, in danger in the open country, danger at sea and danger from so-called brothers. I have worked and laboured, often without sleep; I have been hungry and thirsty and often starving; I have been in the cold without clothes. And, to leave out much more, there is my daily preoccupation: my anxiety for all the churches. When any man has had scruples, I have had scruples with him; when any man is made to fall, I am tortured. If I am to boast, then let me boast of my own feebleness.” St. Paul 2 Corinthians 11:18, 21-30
Much was asked of the early Christians in giving witness to their belief in Jesus Christ and the teachings of His Church. Conflicts with the secular and pagan world were numerous and omnipresent. Harsh treatment, ostricization from family and friends, alienation from the secular society, and even imprisonment and death often were part of their lives. Being a Christian was not easy; it required determination to accept everything from a small inconvenience to actual physical suffering. Yet persevere they did. Their leaders, the bishops and clergy of the day, also accepted the same sufferings, as they asked their followers to stand firm for Jesus.
In the western world today very little suffering is required of the bishops, clergy, and laity. On the contrary, in general it is an easy, get-along-with-the-crowd existence for most Catholics. Being ready to suffer for the faith is the farthest thing from the mind of most Catholics, both clergy and the laity. One should not trouble the comfort existing in the current malaise. Yet the days of choosing between the faith and the secular culture are here. Which will you choose….the way of St. Paul or the way of accommodation to evil? Will you give witness to Jesus and His Church or seek accommodation of one’s beliefs with those of the corruptible secular society? Unfortunately, the answer many give is the rationalization of the Church’s teachings and an accommodation to evil.
Modern Catholics do not want to choose the route of St. Paul, but rather prefer to be a member of the get-a-long crowd, rationalizing their actions in order to “have it both ways”, that is cultural Catholicism and secular acceptance. Thus no suffering is required, no important decisions to be made: just accommodation with evil.
At one’s death, will one’s rationalizations, excuses, and acceptance of evil be ignored by Christ the Judge?