It’s as old as time: the sense that the current era is worse than the past. We romanticize our childhood or the times of our parents and grandparents. Each generation bemoans the decline of the present generation – as if we have no responsibility for how we got here.
That being said, I do believe that we live in dark times. Christians and Catholics are being persecuted for Christ’s sake. While I haven’t been physically threatened, I’ve seen looks cross people’s faces indicating they disagree, judging me. I’ve had snarky comments directed toward me sometimes under the guise of a joke, sometimes quietly said.
Venerable Fulton Sheen said, “There are not one hundred people in the United States who hate the Catholic Church, but there are millions who hate what they wrongly perceive the Catholic Church to be.” People assume that because the Church teaches that marriage is between a man and a woman that people who struggle with same sex attraction aren’t welcome in our parish. They say that if we profess two genders, we are somehow hurting people who believe in gender fluidity. They think that because we venerate Mary, we hold her in the same regard with God. We know these assumptions are false.
It’s sad and it’s scary but we needn’t be afraid. Jesus tells us that the Holy Spirit will give us the words necessary to defend the Church as He sends us out “like sheep in the midst of wolves.” I’ve learned that sometimes the only words necessary are a simple affirmation – “Yes, that is what I believe.” Somehow, knowing that Jesus warned us to “beware” makes it easier. It confirms that we are on the right path. As usual, Jesus’ words are comforting and we can rest in them: “whoever endures to the end will be saved.” God’s got it under control. And He is so good.
Es tan antiguo como el tiempo: la sensación de que la época actual es peor que la pasada. Idealizamos nuestra infancia o la época de nuestros padres y abuelos. Cada generación lamenta el declive de la generación presente, como si no tuviéramos ninguna responsabilidad por cómo llegamos aquí.
Habiendo dicho esto, sí creo que vivimos en tiempos oscuros. Cristianos y católicos están siendo perseguidos por causa de Cristo. Si bien no he recibido amenazas físicas, he visto miradas de disgusto en la gente, juzgándome. He recibido comentarios sarcásticos, a veces bajo la apariencia de una broma, a veces en voz baja.
El venerable Fulton Sheen dijo: “No hay cien personas en Estados Unidos que odien a la Iglesia Católica, pero hay millones que odian lo que erróneamente perciben como ella”. La gente asume que, como la Iglesia enseña que el matrimonio es entre un hombre y una mujer, las personas que luchan con la atracción hacia personas del mismo sexo no son bienvenidas en nuestras parroquias. Dicen que si profesamos dos géneros, de alguna manera estamos lastimando a quienes creen en la fluidez de género. Creen que, porque veneramos a María, la tenemos en el mismo respeto que Dios. Sabemos que estas suposiciones son falsas.
Es triste y da miedo, pero no debemos tener miedo. Jesús nos dice que el Espíritu Santo nos dará las palabras necesarias para defender a la Iglesia mientras nos envía “como ovejas entre lobos”. He aprendido que a veces las únicas palabras necesarias son una simple afirmación: “Sí, eso es lo que yo creo”. De alguna manera, saber que Jesús nos advirtió que tuviéramos cuidado lo hace más fácil. Confirma que estamos en el camino correcto. Como siempre, las palabras de Jesús son reconfortantes y podemos descansar en ellas: “el que persevere hasta el fin, se salvará”. Dios lo tiene todo bajo control. Y Él es tan bueno.
Merridith Frediani loves words and is delighted by good sentences. She also loves Lake Michigan, dahlias, the first sip of hot coffee in the morning, millennials, and playing Sheepshead with her husband and three kids. She writes for Catholic Mom, new.diocesan.com/, and her local Catholic Herald. Her first book Draw Close to Jesus: A Woman’s Guide to Adoration is available at Our Sunday Visitor and Amazon. You can learn more at merridithfrediani.com.
Feature Image Credit: SevenStorm JUHASZIMRUS, pexels.com/photo/statue-of-jesus-1604849/
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Daily Reading
Friday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Reading 1 Hosea 14:2-10 Thus says the LORD:Return, O Israel, to the LORD, your God;you have collapsed through your guilt.Take with you words,and return to the LORD;Say to him, “Forgive…
Saint of the Day
Saint Veronica Giuliani
A devoted nun who received the stigmata, persevered through trials, and served selflessly. Canonized in 1839 for her unwavering faith. The post Saint Veronica Giuliani appeared first on uCatholic.