When I started attending Bible Study two years ago, I went in with full knowledge that I knew nothing – Scripturally speaking. I was blown away when we read 1st Corinthians. It wasn’t so much being blown away by reading Scripture, but by the realization that St. Paul spoke to me in a very personal way, apart from what we studied. It was from that first session I attended that he impressed upon me the fundamental exercises of our Faith. In short, how to evangelize. I should point out that I could spend the better part of the day talking about all my favorite quotes from St. Paul, but I will focus on two I find relevant to the topic at hand. The first one is from 1Cor 9:22
“To the weak I became weak, to win over the weak. I have become all things to all, to save at least some.”
This particular piece of Scripture really spoke to me. It spoke of using past worldly experiences as a means to bring others back into the Faith. Oftentimes people need to be met where they are in life and knowing others who have been there, done that, and gotten the t-shirt, is a comfort to them while they struggle with reconciling themselves to God’s Will. Without compromising our Faith, we are able to use our past mistakes to the benefit of others.
St. Paul when he was knocked off his horse.
The second piece of Scripture that speaks to me is from 1Cor 10:23-24 – in NAB, it is labeled “Seek the Good of Others.”
“Everything is lawful,” but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is lawful,” but not everything builds up. No one should seek to his own advantage, but that of his neighbor.
When speaking of others, we have an obligation, as the laity, to uphold charity and civility in our choice of words. This is not a uniquely Catholic-only sentiment, but it is also an appeal to common sense and etiquette. And yet, I have a difficult time seeing these extended towards others – myself included – in thought and word in the wake of a scandal. Of course, we could always lean on the old ‘it’s the fault of original sin’ line, but I think we can do better than explaining away words and actions that divide {whether on purpose or by accident} rather than unify.
The evil one loves nothing more than to see us divided. Any crevice or opportunity we give him, no matter the size, he will take full advantage and grow that wedge into a full-blown chasm. And all we have to do is be willing participants.
So, while I do think it is expected, as informed and plugged in Catholics, to have an honest discussion and critique of events that circulate through Catholic media, it’s equally important to keep in mind that we need to be fair in our assessment, charitable in our discussions and to be ever vigilant in praying for all involved. In the end, we, as the laity {and this particularly applies to those who have strong followings, the weight and gravity falls heavy on your shoulders}, do not have all the facts of any given situation. To presume to have those facts, and, further, to write from a point of view that promotes knowledge then opens up the problematic nature of leading readers into occasions of sin by the tone of the article that is written {assuming the tone is one of authority}. This leads us into a lovely scheme of sins, such as detraction, rash judgment and calumny.
While keeping our fingers on the Catholic pulse, always strive for charity and seek to elevate others. Make St. Paul proud. Better still, make God proud.
Detraction….something very few people, much less Catholics!, even know IS an actual sin. We know gossip is sinful, but passing along something that’s true, but diminishes a reputation on purpose? How that that be so awful? Sometimes these urges must be forced down with near Herculean effort, but we must make the effort. Giving benefit of the doubt may be harder for most of us, especially after a lifetime of being wounded, but if we are to “do unto others as we would have them do unto us,” I know most of us would want the best possible interpretation put on our actions by others.