Faith, Choice, and Love

Since becoming Catholic, I have felt driven to find the words to express my opinions in regard to current moral issues. Religion, even faith in and of itself, is of course wrapped up in politics, ethics, etc. The organizing/authoritative forces and persons of religions in particular offer positions, even initiatives, calls to arms, in the name of this or that principle or tenet.

Hmmm. This opening sounds lukewarm. And so I am. Why? Well, I did not embrace baptism and confirmation in order to express opinions. I did it for love of God. I did it because those are critical sacraments in the faith I believe. I am Christian; I am Catholic. And I do have opinions. But I do not love God because it is my opinion to love God. I love God because God is.

So, before my opinions I have...my own positions, or a knowledge of the heart in what I take them to be. And those positions are qualified and informed on an ongoing basis by my love of God, my belief in Jesus Christ, and my devotion to the Holy Spirit. Three persons sharing one essence. This position is intrinsic to me. It is, in fact, at the core of my faith, at least at the level of being able to assign words to it.

There are things I want to see more of in the world, even as I immediately say, I hope to do more, myself, to make these come about. First and foremost - I want to see us love God and each other. I want more charity – sacred love. I want prayer and love for those who are hurting, forgotten, discouraged, even hated. I do not understand, personally, people’s urge to reverse or disqualify Roe v. Wade when I consider the harm this would do to people who are in the extremity of hurt, and sadness, and doubt, and fear, and misery. I believe in everyone’s right to choose what to do with their own minds, hearts, and bodies. I understand prayers for life; I understand prayers for mercy. I do not fully understand why one should opt or choose between the two.

 

Which is to say, that my opinions are if anything more securely progressive, or liberal, or affirmative, I would say, since having entered the Catholic faith.

I love God. I pray that I might follow Jesus Christ in his teachings; but I cannot in the same breath discuss public policy. Perhaps this is a failing. I admit that. But as my Lord and Saviour withheld from condemning sinners, I simply can’t find the opening to somehow point to this person or that and say, No. We encapsulate and have before us humanity in all its myriad wonderful and pitiful glory. At what point is any one person to presuppose the confidence to judge those who share the same heart?

 

Show me in scripture who was anointed to judge in the place of God. I am aware of only one - the one who will come to judge. I have always found opinions to be painfully absolute. The critical errors of pride and anger – these come into play with an ease that is chilling, even as they can be so incredibly difficult to remove or exclude.

This is not to say that I am perfectly kind. Hardly. I am given to moods and sarcasm and sometimes pretty vocal exclamations of disgust. I ask again and again for pardon. I am not proud of my failings. I do not vote them, I hope, and I am not inclined to want to.

My ambition in all this is to do as I believe I should - the same as anyone. It is somewhat embarrassing to say, that my ambition is to listen and understand. I cannot hate or dismiss with anything approaching absolution. I wish for love, for the "perfect love" described by St. Paul in Corinthians, as within that will be derived perfect happiness. I have been taught this by God’s law, as expressed in scripture, by the example of Jesus Christ, and by the promptings of the Holy Spirit.

In the meantime of this life, if asked, I say Yes to prayers and for all, for kindness for all. Who, I ask you, my brothers and sisters, deserves anything other than love and mercy?