Wednesday, May 7, 2014

Manageable Christianity, Anyone?

A friend lamented another loss on the battlefield in the Catholic culture wars. His response was indicative of the frustration many of us experience every time the secularization of our country deepens.

Something that helps me keep perspective: “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for there is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so men persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Matt 5:10-12).

The thing is, if we weren’t being persecuted or harassed, I guess we would have to wonder if we were really living as a sign of God’s presence in the world. The Gospel is always countercultural, and the reality seems to be, if you look at history, that the Church thrives (spiritually) under persecution. Saints seem to blossom like wildflowers under the heavy manure of cultural and societal persecution and oppression.

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I hate that I have to raise my children in this environment that mocks everything I believe in. Sometimes I think, “Do they have to be THESE issues?" These societal sins are so difficult to stand against within the milieu of a hyper-secularized culture that has made an absolute god of relativism: so-called gay marriage, the promotion of contraception, rampant abortion, the increasing governmental marginalization of Catholicism, etc. But then I ask myself, “So, are you saying you would prefer troubles that are more manageable?” I guess I do: I want to be able to live an easy and comfortable Christianity (just being honest), and I have to laugh at that foolishness in me.

How do we teach our children the truth with lies being drummed into their impressionable ears from every side?

I hope we are doing right by being open with our kids about these issues, explaining to them what’s at stake, but also, asking them questions. “Why do you think the Church is opposed to same sex relationships and says two people of the same sex cannot be married?” And then leading them to discover the answers, so they are invested in the discovery of truth and not just handed the answers.

Fellowship with other Catholics is so important to me. Not only because it holds me accountable, which is important, but frankly, it strengthens me and my resolve to not go to the mountains and build a fortress and hide my family from the secular culture, but instead to be a stouthearted witness to the truth.

The Lord said to Joshua, faced with the daunting task of conquering the pagans: “Be strong and of good courage; be not frightened, neither be dismayed; for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9).

We cannot fight this battle alone. And if it bothers you that I am using war terminology, you might want to step back and reassess the seriousness of the situation. There is spiritual warfare going on, whether we like it or not, and if we are to prevail in not giving up everything we believe in and treasure, we had better put on our boots and set to marching.

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