“If someone accuses you, ask yourself first: Is he right? If he's
right, go and apologize to him. If he's not right, then take that insult
that you have received in both hands. Don't let it go but seize that
opportunity and give it to Jesus as a sacrifice. Be glad that you have
something valuable to give to Him.”
-- Blessed Theresa of Calcutta
That is some of the best advice I've heard. It's applicable to thousands of circumstances in my own life. However, many Catholics and countless internet-theologians skip over Step 1: Ask yourself if he's right. Many Catholics have developed martyr complexes. They blow trumpets to call attention to our brothers who are about to 'persecute' us. Then, they whine and moan about their 'wounds'. Not that the pain is fake, but the pain, in itself, is not the vocation of a Christian.
Of course Christ did not take the time to wonder if his persecutors were right. He was perfect, so He is not the best example of self-examination. But, He is the prime example of humility -- the virtue whereby one considers himself as he is, not less, not more. Together, we are the Body of Christ. But, even as the Body of Christ, we are not perfect. I think we all need to remember that we are fallible creatures and ask ourselves: Is he right?
I do believe the question goes further in many cases. Sometimes we need to stop and remember that people do not speak complete lies when it comes to their beliefs. It's not like they're trying to skip taking the garbage out. Convictions are held because each person sees the truth in that particular way. Another question is "How is this dude right?" Because, he's usually right about something. And, "Why does he believe that?" Finally, there's a more important question even than those, in humility, "How am I wrong?"
Peter Kreeft told a story once that I cannot quote exactly, but it went something like this: I was teaching an Ethics class in which there was a group of pro-choice university students. I asked them why they believed abortion was moral or, at least, permissible. After they stated their reasons, I commented that each of their reasons can be used to make the case for infanticide, or the killing of children. I asked them to take as much time as they needed to make a case for abortion that did not also condone infanticide. At the end of the semester, I approached them, as they had not yet answered me. They looked at each other and finally one said, "Professor, we're actually now in favor of infanticide."
Professor Kreeft was making the point that arguments, logic, and the mind do not matter as much as the heart in some cases. Avid warriors for 'women's rights' would rather out-rightly support infanticide than deny any right to a woman. That is their perspective and how they see it. We Christians need to understand that first, before we do anything else.
In a world where everyone stands on a soap box and especially during dum dum dummmmm... Election Year, many people are losing the humility to realize that we are all flawed. Only by taking a Franciscan approach, by understanding our brothers and sisters, can we truly evangelize... Because learning is about asking the right questions, not about parroting information. And, teaching is about raising the right questions, not about fighting, outwitting, or manipulating our students. We cannot simply berate our brothers because they believe differently. We have to sit down and find where they are right. Give them credit for that, and offer the rest to Christ. I mean, hey, you could be wrong too.
I'll going to go into detail on a juicy topic in another post. In the meantime, enjoy babes...
Peter Kreeft told a story once that I cannot quote exactly, but it went something like this: I was teaching an Ethics class in which there was a group of pro-choice university students. I asked them why they believed abortion was moral or, at least, permissible. After they stated their reasons, I commented that each of their reasons can be used to make the case for infanticide, or the killing of children. I asked them to take as much time as they needed to make a case for abortion that did not also condone infanticide. At the end of the semester, I approached them, as they had not yet answered me. They looked at each other and finally one said, "Professor, we're actually now in favor of infanticide."
Professor Kreeft was making the point that arguments, logic, and the mind do not matter as much as the heart in some cases. Avid warriors for 'women's rights' would rather out-rightly support infanticide than deny any right to a woman. That is their perspective and how they see it. We Christians need to understand that first, before we do anything else.
In a world where everyone stands on a soap box and especially during dum dum dummmmm... Election Year, many people are losing the humility to realize that we are all flawed. Only by taking a Franciscan approach, by understanding our brothers and sisters, can we truly evangelize... Because learning is about asking the right questions, not about parroting information. And, teaching is about raising the right questions, not about fighting, outwitting, or manipulating our students. We cannot simply berate our brothers because they believe differently. We have to sit down and find where they are right. Give them credit for that, and offer the rest to Christ. I mean, hey, you could be wrong too.
I'll going to go into detail on a juicy topic in another post. In the meantime, enjoy babes...
I call this series "The Journey to the Perfect Picture"
Take 1
Take 2
Take 3
Take 4
Take 5
Take 6
Take 7
Take 8
Finally!!
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