Tag Archives: God

Shaken and Stirred

Aside

Reply

Shaken And Stirred

It hit him as hard as a punch delivered by a profession boxer! As he read the letter, the news contained in the letter made his knees buckle and knocked him back into his chair. A sense of solitary emptiness settled in his stomach. Unexpected and certainly unwanted was the news that a long time business associate had died suddenly from a “massive heart attack.” Several minutes would pass before he could compose himself and rise from his chair. The death of the friend was staggering news to him; here one day, he was gone the next. Life is so fragile and its end can be as stunning as it is final.

After recovering from the initial shock of the news of his friend’s death, he wondered why he was so staggered and upset over the news of the friend’s demise. The news of the deaths of other friends and even relatives did not affect him as intensely as this news. Why? In fact, he and his friend met only two to three times a year, although regularly for almost 40 years. Their meetings were like a ritual; they were regular occurrences that he assumed would continue forever. What could interfere with their meetings? Nothing! But death defeats everything; it indeed marks the end of the relationship. Reading of his friend’s death in a letter tended to make a very personal issue seem cold and impersonal. That hurts! Though their relationship was about business issues, he trusted his friend; his competence and his word were never questioned. He was as solid a person as one could know. It hurts to lose him. Losing a trusted friend sent shivers up his back; you see, trusted friends are hard to come by.

As shaken as he was by the friend’s sudden death, it also stirred him to action. Life is very fragile and is so unpredictable that death, this death in particular, shook him to the core, reminding him that his time is limited and may also be running out. The thought kept forcing itself into his consciousness, “Your time is short, no matter your age, make certain that you settle all your affairs, do not delay your plans, love your family and make certain they know you love them.” Most importantly of all, put things right with God.  Immediately! And keep them right.

Then the thought hit him! What if he was the one who died suddenly and the news of his death would confront and unnerve his friends? There would be no time for him to seek God’s forgiveness and help in confronting death. The lesson screamed loud and clear, “Seek God now, asking for His forgiveness for one’s sins and help when death arrives for me.”

Be shaken and stirred before it is too late.

 

Hating

Aside

Reply

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. )