Stop Defending Your Faith
As a veteran catechist, I am often approached after class by
fellow Catholics seeking help on issues of the faith. They
usually come forward because someone challenged them to defend
their beliefs. Embarrassment ensued when they were unable to
offer a cogent reply.
I contend it is time to “redirect the fire.” No more defensive
mode. No more half-hearted apologies. No more shame. It’s time
to take the offensive - charitably and respectfully - but with
conviction. It’s time to challenge the challengers.
As members of the one true Church founded by Jesus Christ, what
possible reason do we have for being on the defensive? Why do we
feel compelled to prove our beliefs when they comprise the
entire deposit of sacred revelation? As Catholics, we lack
nothing in our journey toward salvation. The Catechism
beautifully reminds us of our heritage by quoting the Second
Vatican Council’s Decree on Ecumenism (Unitatis Redintegratio):
“For it is through Christ’s Catholic Church alone, which is the
universal help toward salvation, that the fullness of the means
of salvation can be obtained. It was to the apostolic college
alone, of which Peter is the head, that we believe that our Lord
entrusted all the blessings of the New Covenant, in order to
establish on earth the one Body of Christ into which all those
should be fully incorporated who belong in any way to the People
of God.” [Emphasis mine]
We are blessed with over 2,000 years of Sacred Tradition. We
have great martyrs and Saints, powerful Sacraments, insightful
Synods and Councils, a splendid Catechism and the inspired
writings of the Fathers and Doctors of the Church. Moreover, it
is only under the authority of the Successor of Peter that the
world has been able to experience God’s Word in Sacred
Scripture. Being beneficiaries of this rich legacy does not mean
we should be judgmental or smug. Our baptism, however, demands
that we beckon others to discover the truth.
Instead of being on the defensive, we should be challenging
others why they are not part of the one true Church. With a
heritage so deep and wide, who could possibly order the Catholic
Church to “explain herself?” Why would someone not want to be
immersed in the fullness of the Christian revelation? What keeps
millions from joining us in mining the treasures of this ancient
faith?
Imagine demanding that a great actor or sports figure prove the
reason for their worldly acclaim. They would respond by leading
us to a room filled with the awards and distinctions of a
lifetime. Our challenge simply evaporates, for without having to
utter a single word their body of work spoke volumes.
Recall the analogy of the Church as a large ocean liner. Over
the centuries, groups of people decide to mutiny for various
reasons (heresy, apostasy and schism) and strike out on their
own. Setting out in their lifeboats, they take various things
they deem important. Agreement becomes the norm of faith rather
than obedience. One eviscerates Holy Scripture and takes a
couple Sacraments, another takes Scripture but no Sacraments,
another keeps Catholic teachings but disallows the authority of
the Pope and yet another decides Christ is not God. And on and
on…
All these little lifeboats are now out and away. All refuse to
come back despite our pleas from the railing. They choose to
chart their own course, beholden to no apostolic authority. They
craft their own religion or “spin” Christianity to their liking.
Everything they have comes from the mother ship - mere fragments
of Catholicism ripped from the tapestry of Tradition.
Given their separation, can we guarantee their “safety?” No. Can
we assert that they have all the means to salvation? No. Can we
affirm that they are on the right track? We cannot. By leaving
the bark of Peter, they trade the fullness of the faith for
shadowy fragments and subjective interpretations.
Pope John Paul II reminds us that the greatest sin of the modern
era is Christian disunity. He rightfully insists that we cannot
change the world if we do not speak with one voice and love with
one heart. The Church is a multitude of interrelated parts.
Remove some of the parts and it is no longer able to function
properly. The Catechism reminds us to pray for all who belong in
any way to the People of God. Especially those who have an
“imperfect communion” with the Catholic Church and those who
“have not yet received the Gospel.”
Though longing to be one body of believers, we are called to
honor and preserve God’s revelation intact. We cannot abridge
our Sacred Tradition. The cultural notion that prompts
celebration on the things we share in common can also dismiss
the things we do not. We must not sacrifice truth at the altar
of ecumenism. Our goal is to entice everyone to the warmth and
safety of the mother ship, not to join them in the lifeboats.
Only when all are safely aboard will our task be complete.
Be proud to be a Catholic. Radiate that joy by encouraging
others to discover the majesty of Christ’s one true Church.
Remember the next time a challenge is issued, issue one of your
own. Charitably respond by asking why anyone would be content
with only a morsel of the feast!
