Catholicism

[lelenevity]

I picked up my parents' Bible tonight and read what passages compelled me. I felt most drawn to the gospels, so I stuck pretty much to those. I saw familiar titles and recognized names and parables. Nine years of Catholic school were not entirely lost on me

Comments

please pardon my christian babbling...

[happysmoothies]

Thanks for your input, Julie! It has gotten so many thoughts turning in my head I will have a hard time expressing them without babbling. It is good to know how Christians (and Catholics) are perceived by people who are not Christians. While I have placed my trust in the God of the bible and I believe he is good, loving, just, etc, I don't have much to say in defense of Christians who do a poor job demonstrating Jesus' love.

One thing I think was interesting about Jesus (which I wasn't really taught growing up) was that he reserved his harshest criticism for the most religious of folk. The people who think they've got things together, who are holy in their own eyes...these are the people he seems to condemn, while showing grace to the humble. He shows grace to the woman the Pharisees were trying to stone, grace and affirmation for the woman who washed his feet (the Pharisees call her "the sinner" Jesus refers to her as "the woman"). Matthew 25 is especially interesting, because the people who consider themselves "saved" do not make it into his kingdom, while others seem to be surprised that they are chosen. (Which is sobering for me to read, since I've always considered myself "saved").

Personally, I've come to appreciate the angry side of God. When I think about the horrible things that take place in the world (human trafficking, sexual slavery, violence and oppression in every form you can imagine) I am glad God is more outraged at these things than I am. And this same God who burns with anger and hates injustice, this same God has compassion and love for his creation, and demonstrates special concern for the poor and the weak.

I am glad you see yourself as a "puzzle piece in His grandiose image." And I love how you said, "if I am misguided, love me, and I shall see the error of my ways." In my church we've talked about "agape" love, and what you said here seems to be a good definition of that kind of love. That's something I've been trying to do...when I find fault in someone, to love them and instead of pointing out their faults, loving them and showing them by example the right thing to do. It's hard! I'd rather just tell them they're wrong.

Anyway, I hope none of that came across as argumentative or defensive. Just wanted to share my perspective. I have my own lamentations about the church, and it is good to hear you speak from your experience.