“God assumed from the beginning that the wise of the world would view Christians as fools — and He has not been disappointed.” Read on to see who said this.
From the very beginning of the Church, we as Catholic Christians have been regarded as fools. We believe that the Son of God was born of a virgin. We believe that Jesus rose from the dead and His body ascended into heaven as others watched. We believe he turned bread into His flesh and does so daily. We believe that life begins at Conception, that marriage is forever, and that God created male and female.
And so, the world thinks us to be absolutely foolish. Just look at how the media portrays humanity today. Humans are portrayed as attractive, in control, and happy, but we don’t see many people portrayed as having faith in God. We don’t hear or see many people portrayed as being churchgoers. It is more common to see people flaunt their disregard of the commandments or belief in any One God for a more popular belief that truth is relative and God is whatever you create Him to be, or nothing at all.
In today’s world, those who follow Jesus are not always considered to be popular or wise. More often than not, we are regarded as outcasts and out of touch. That is unless we dissent from the Church and are only Catholic “in name” but not really in belief.
Back to the opening quote. “God assumed from the beginning that the wise of the world would view Christians as fools — and He has not been disappointed.” These words were spoken by Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia speaking to a group of Catholics. He encouraged them, and us, to keep the faith despite ridicule and be Fools for Christ. There is nothing irrational about following the teaching of Jesus and His Church.
His words are ones we need to hear and what every good Steward must remember. As St. Paul reminds us “You have been purchased at a price; Do not become slaves to human beings” (1 Cor 7:23). We must always remember who we are and to whom we belong, and live according to the ways of the One True God, even if we stand out in the crowd.
But in the difficulty of our decisions, please also remember that our God encourages us, loves us, teaches us, forgives us, and nourishes us with the Eucharist. By participating in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, we are receiving THE gift — God! He intimately wants to be in each of us so that we might be strong enough to withstand the laughter, mockery, and contempt of the world.
When we practice stewardship and realize our common call to do so in the community of faith, we find others who, too, are striving to be disciples. And when we do, my hope is that we understand that we are not fools, nor alone in our call. Together, we live life courageously with one another.
Sincerely Yours in Christ,
Fr. Jerry
Pastor