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I was watching a video yesterday where a Christian conservative was debating a college student who was an atheist. They were supposed to be debating whether college was scam these days or not. The atheist couldnât stay on topic and kept throwing out non sequiturs. His reasoning was that college wasnât a scam because Jesus was a scam. One doesnât have anything to do with the other. He kept asking the Christian questions about Christianity and whenever the Christian would try to answer, heâd get out maybe three words before being interrupted. The college guy sat there smirking, shaking, and interrupting. The whole conversation was utterly fruitless. Today, in our first reading from Acts 8, we hear about the eunuch who was reading Isaiah. Philip comes up to him and asks him if he understands it and the eunuch responds with, âHow can I, unless someone instructs me?â What a truly humble response. Iâve always been so impressed with the humility of the Ethiopian eunuch in realizing he doesnât know everything. Itâs refreshing because we see so little of it these days. Everyone thinks they are an expert in everything. Few people listen to understand. And when it comes to Scripture, far too many think they are Biblical scholars and have all the answers. The atheist in the video kept throwing out questions about Christianity but he wasnât willing to listen to the answers from a Christian. His snobbish pride left him looking like a fool. Back when I was arguing with my husband about Catholicism, Iâd frequently throw out challenges to him. As heâd begin to answer, Iâd cut him off and tell him what Catholics believed. He finally got fed up and calmly said, âAmy, donât ask me a question and then cut me off. You arenât Catholic, so donât tell me what we believe. Either listen to me or donât ask your questions.â I felt like such a fool and I shut my mouth. The eunuchâs approach is one of humility and it is a good lesson for us all, Catholic Pilgrims. Have a blessed Thursday.
Continue ReadingWe arenât the ones who elect the pope, Catholic Pilgrims. But, whether you are the laity, part of the clergy, or a Religious, we do have a job in this Conclave. It is our job to pray. Pray for the Holy Spirit to guide our Cardinals as they discern our next earthly spiritual leader. Donât pray stressed. Pray, instead, with trust that God will never abandon us and that, no matter what, His Church will stand until Christ comes again. Letâs pray boldly and with great Faith. St. Peter, pray for us!
Continue ReadingIn the early years of our marriage, whenever Dustin and I would get into an argument over Catholicism, I was always the angrier one. Even though I was wildly ignorant about Catholicism, I thought I knew it all. Iâd yell at Dustin and always try to raise my voice to drown out his words. Iâd cut him off as he was trying to explain why my arguments against Catholicism were wrong. I was trying to not let his words fall on my ears. The crowd stoning Stephen in our reading today from Acts 7, behaved just like me. As Stephen was trying to teach them about Jesus, they âcried out in a loud voice, covered their ears, and rushed upon him.â Itâs the covering of the ears part that is so telling. Itâs an attempt to protect your pride by not allowing the truth to penetrate you. It was hard for me to hear my husband prove me wrong. Everybody wants to believe that they are always right and it kills us to hear someone correct or admonish us. Most often, those that scream, yell, cover their ears, and seek to silence others realize they donât really have the truth or moral upper hand on their side. However, they canât stand the thought of examining themselves and considering a change of thought. When you wonât do this, bad things always happen, like Stephen getting stoned. Thankfully, my husband got through to me and once I actually listened, he gave me the keys to unlock the beauty of Catholicism and eventually come home. Live the Faith boldly and travel well this Tuesday, Catholic Pilgrims. *Painting is of St. Stephen. Itâs in a Bulgarian Orthodox Church in Istanbul.
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