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Hating

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Hating

In utter frustration, she frantically screamed at her brother, “I hate you! I hate you! Why do I have such a mean brother?” She then turned around and defiantly marched out of the room, while her brother taunted her with a wry smile and an indifferent look. Most of us have experienced a, “I hate you”, response from a sister or brother or a friend as the individual charges off into a new direction. Of course, real hatred does not exist in such situations. What did exist was a short period of frustration or disappointment, to be followed shortly thereafter with an atmosphere of mutual reconciliation.

Yet there are many instances where actual hatred does exist. During a televised discussion on the subject of hatred between cultures, religions, and ethnic groups, several panelists offered the thought that the Jews are the most hated group in the world, while others commented that Muslins are the most hated. Finally, a Jewish rabbi countered that no not the Jews nor the Muslins nor any other group or individual is as hated as are those who hold tightly to the teachings of the Catholic faith. His comment stunned many of his fellow panelists. Yet his comment echoed the statement made by St. Cyprian in the third century, “The world hates Christians (Catholics).”

If the rabbi is accurate in his assessment that faithful followers of Catholicism are indeed the most hated individuals, why is this true?   The rabbi noted that whatever one thinks of Catholics, the actual teachings of the Catholic faith present a choice between its teachings, its emphasis on the truth, and the desires of many people. People do not like having their choices challenged by the arguments of the Church advocating objective truth. Few people want to have some of their choices in life be scrutinized and challenged by that which the Church presents as truth – reality. The Church’s positions on the existence of God, abortion, homosexuality, loving one’s neighbor, and many other issues all are frequently challenged by those who hold different views and cannot accept being contradicted. On many vital issues, such as God’s existence or abortion, some people strive to marginalize the Church, while others vehemently denounce the Church hoping to completely isolate her. Still others select and emphasize the failings of individual Catholics, both within the clergy and among the laity, in order to discredit not only certain individuals but all the teachings of the Church. By emphasizing the sins of important members of the Church, they hope to taint the entire Church. Even those who claim to be “Catholics” often join in the criticisms of the church, when it serves their own personal circumstances.

The most intense hatred of the Church occurs when the Church declares its position of any particular issue as the truth, as reality.  Many people vehemently reject the Church’s teachings about sex, freedom, objective truth, the nature and purpose of man and, more importantly, strongly reject the idea that their own positions / beliefs are contrary to the truth. Many people attempt to justify their actions and belief systems so that they are accepted as the truth. However, on many issues, the Catholic Church stands in front of them clearly stating the truth. Oh, how they wish this annoying Church would just go away! When the Church will not leave the field of battle, people try to destroy it in any way it can. Sometimes the Church’s antagonists are assisted by people within the Church, but in the end their efforts, though occasionally having some temporary success, are doomed to fail as Jesus Christ is the protector of the Church….now and forever.

Catholics who accept the teachings of the Church on faith and morals must know that others will try to marginalize, and yes, even hate them.  It part of the life of a Catholic. The response to this hatred is the same one Christ gave to his executioners….love. Oh, that is so difficult for us!  But love we must.

Suggested Reading:

“The Mind that is Catholic” by James V. Schall, published by the Catholic University Press, available on Amazon.  (Fr. Schall presents 23 essays for one’s review and contemplation. As usual, Fr.Schall’s writing is clear, concise, and understandable to a layman. )

Hospitals

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Hospitals

As soon as the door to the waiting room of the hospital emergency center opened, the sounds and sights of bedlam rushed to meet us. The waiting room was overcrowded with a confused and boisterous mixture of the ill, friends of the ill, screaming babies, noisy adolescents, and those who seemingly had no idea why they were there.  On one side of the room, the individuals waiting to be processed by the receptionist were fidgeting, with frustrated looks as they impatiently waited for their turn. All showed their disgust with looks of, “Why is this taking so long?” Others, having been processed by the receptionist, were sitting or standing, just waiting to be called into emergency room for treatment, hoping that their long waits would finally end. Intermittently their hopes of care would be raised as a nurse appeared at the door to shout the name of the next patient to receive treatment. Frequently their hopes were dashed as the name called out by the nurse was not the one they wanted to hear; their frustration continued with a hint of anger beginning to surface. The delay in being seen and treated by a doctor seemed endless.

Finally, the person’s name was called and he, along with a relative, moved towards the door where the nurse was standing. Now he could discuss his illness with a doctor and, hopefully, a remedy would be offered. There would be no certainty of a cure, but at least a course of action would be recommended; a stay in the hospital or a prescription for medication may result.  Hope, but no certainty would be the likely outcome of the visit.

Most hospitals have trained, professional personnel who analyze and evaluate the medical, physical needs of their patients. The question that they attempt to answer is “How do we help the patients at the hospital return to good physical health?”.  However, there exists another type of hospital with trained professionals; one that addresses the moral and spiritual failings of individuals who are seeking to return to good moral and spiritual health. It is the one that treats sin and sinners.

Sin occurs in the breaking of one’s relationship with God; fortunately the relationship can be restored. The Catholic Church is the hospital for sinners; the place where sin can be cured and moral and spiritual health restored. When asked the reasons for his conversion to Catholicism, the brilliant 20th century English writer and philosopher, G.K. Chesterton, commented, “Because it is true….and it offers the forgiveness of sin.” The Catholic Church was given the obligation to help sinners and forgive sins when Jesus Christ appeared to Apostles on the first Easter Sunday and said, “Whose sins you shall forgive are forgiven and whose sins you shall retain are retained.”  In the sacrament of Confession (Reconciliation), the Church through the successors to the apostles can offer a guaranteed return to a relationship with God. The sacrament of Confession offers an assurance, not just a hope, of one’s return to good moral and spiritual health.

It is interesting to note that medical hospitals are generally crowded and very busy, while Catholic churches are often empty at the times of Confession. Are there no sinners in need of forgiveness? Have humans lost the very sense of sin? We all sin and most of us rupture our relationship with God numerous times during our lives. Do we return to God through Confession or do we continue to be separate from God.  All humans need repentance for their sins and a renewal of their lives.

On many occasions, Jesus reminded people “to repent.” We are all anxious to cure our medical ills as quickly as possible. Why are we not as determined and anxious to repent and cure our moral and spiritual failings, which can result in the worst of conditions….hell? Without repentance and renewal, Hell is where we will place ourselves.

Suggested Reading

“Confession” by Adrienne von Speyr, published by Igantius Press  – von Speyr is a Swiss convert and mystic guided by the famed theologian Fr. Hans Urs von Balthasar