They'll Know We Are Christians By Our Hate

“They’ll know we are Christians by our hate”! I know that distinction may be over the top but it sure feels that way in today’s dialogue or social media outlets.

Of course, anyone that is even half awake recognizes that we have a distinct problem of polarization in today’s society.  Unfortunately, Catholics are in step with the norms and behaviors of social media etiquette where we hide behind our little keyboard and slam adversaries, friends, moms (is there a difference?) with rude "shock and awe" comments that build up our perspective while belittling the opponents.

There is so much hate out there but what is especially disappointing is recognizing the absence of love in many Catholic carved circles where political and theological polarization feeds the mob mentality of loathing anyone (specifically a conflicting Catholic) that might disagree with one’s personal pedigree.  

Even more alarming is that a sense of community or universality of our Body of Christ connection is progressively forgotten and replaced by prideful politics.  Catholics, in general, are increasingly wearing their moral badges through the beliefs of their political party affiliation.  We see it with conservatives and liberals, both with the laity and the religious.  Check out the multitude of comments in support of a conservative/liberal post (by a site or person) and the tearing down of Catholics, in the comments section, who reside at the other end of the political spectrum.  It is downright disheartening and I can only imagine that as Jesus hung on the cross, He must have felt the weight of how empty we are today.

Of course, before Jesus’ passion and resurrection, He gave the commandment of Love God and Neighbor which by our implicit negative action has diverted his word to the backburner and replaced it with self-promoting righteousness.   Yes, by the nature of our being and living in the informational paradise, we continue to pick the political fruit of knowledge once again and we can’t help but taste its juicy fruit.  But make no mistake as this bite, mastication, and consumption leads only to a lack of charity, which exponentially spreads the death of the Good News.  

Personally, I have recognized there have been several occasions where I have been “The Saul” sponsoring these attacks both in person and via social media outlets as I have persecuted people whose values were differed from mine.   One of the many examples is an episode that I had many years ago while on a business trip (that can translate to the social media world).  I was having dinner at a restaurant with a colleague and our conversation migrated to a debate about the Sanctity of Life.  He was a liberal “recovering Catholic” while I was an ultra-conservative.  As you can imagine, this discussion started out friendly but soon turned into a passionate debate and attack on each other’s beliefs and personality.  The conclusion was him swearing at me, leaving the establishment, and walking back alone to the hotel.  The next day, we apologized to one another and thankfully were able to move on from the negative moment.  However, that deranged discussion influenced me deeply, as there must be a better way to speak about personal beliefs while loving God and neighbor. 

Through prayer and education, slowly over the course of many years, I have embraced the Church’s positions and relied much less on the ideals of my political attachment.   I have come to realize The Church is neither conservative or liberal and I propose the sooner we can embrace that fact, the faster we can let go of our prejudices and allow room for the Holy Spirit to move us.  Instead of only focusing on dogma per se, I have tried to empathize with the person that sits at my opposite and realize that he/she is wonderful and is indeed made in the image of our God. Although not always easy, I have tried to focus that a person’s conflicting value still might be a Christian virtue, albeit not as necessary as I understand it. From this point of Christian commonality, a real dialogue can transpire where I can truly listen and present my position with gentleness and respect.  While I hold onto much of my conservative beliefs, I have been able to find peace and even grow towards a moderate (or even liberal) conviction on some issues that  are out of line with my party, but more united with my Catholic Faith.  As a matter of fact, I have discovered this political shift has allowed me to better encounter a real Jesus whose Love has no limits and can never be monopolized by a particular political party.  My hope is that through this empathy in the real/virtual environment, both adversaries and even Moms will know that I am Christian by my Love. 

My brothers and sisters in Christ, I kindly and sincerely invite you to do the same,   It is not easy, but well worth it. God’s peace…