Our first reading today is from 1 Corinthians 1 where St. Paul talks about foolishness and wisdom.”The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” Jesus dying on the cross…foolishness. To my sensibilities now, that seems like such blasphemy. But I can remember a time in my life when I really thought that way. Jesus? Ah, just a fairy tale! No one really believes that stuff. Christianity? Why, that’s just a crutch for weak people! Those are direct quotes from me!
Of course, now I know better. But, believe you me, more and more people these days share my opinions of old. They see Christianity, and Catholicism in particular, as irrelevant. The world has molded their thinking so much that they see us as a bunch of whacked-out fools. So how do we reach them? I think we need to be foolish enough to show them love and, by our example, let them know that this whole Christian thing ain’t so bad! Give it a try…maybe you can be a happy fool like me!
Father, help us to be fools for Christ today. Help us to reach out to those who believe that the message of the cross is foolishness, and to show them the power of God. Amen.
What I find more troubling are the “Catholics” I have recently encountered who verbally attacked other Catholics. Yesterday, it was a friend who sent out a group email to pray the Rosary daily. Today, while dropping off supplies to my parish food pantry, a volunteer there got “political” about our Church based on his belief that the MSM “has never been better at reporting the facts!” I have to be honest Gus, it HAD to be the Holy Spirit that kept my mouth shut (or the fact that I was completely blown away by the comments while at church!).
I have been relying quite heavily on “Thy Will be done” as so much of what is going on is beyond my human understanding.