|
Hi, GC. I'm sorry you're feeling frustrated.
I can commiserate with your anger at the Catholic church. I grew up Catholic as well. I always appreciated the whole JC take on how to treat people. And the older I've gotten, the more I've thought that the Catholic church really pulled away from that. So I've pulled away from it.
So I've chosen to live my life more about that basic theory-- love your neighbor-- than any specific preceipts.
Do I tell my parents I'm Catholic? You bet your cricket butt. There's a sick woman involved and there's no way I'm going to tarnish her remaining days.
Do I go to mass? Sometimes, because I still feel very spiritual and I like the idea of honoring the great-big-unknowable in a group... it's comforting. I like the feeling of a "holy" building, even if I think the unholy management is ignoring what the church was built on.
But do I agree with the Catholic church, do I even like the Catholic church? No. And I don't have to. The way that I don't have to agree that we should abolish social programs and stick to "small" government. The way that I don't have to agree that because I am fat I am a less valuable person than someone else.
There are many people and groups I with whom I disagree. And in many cases those people are so set in their ways that I'm never going to break them down. But if I want to live a positive life, a live moving forward and not stewing in my juices, I have to shift my focus on them, and turn it to me-- turn it to the little differences I can make in my own circle-- and hope that the little ripples that extend from those actions will be a part of the good, the change, the hope in this world.
Hang in there. You are a good man and you are doing good for the world. Your ripples will have effect. But it takes time and patience, and often we don't see them in our lifetime. Focus on what you can do, and what you do do, B-- and that, my friend, is a lot.
|