June 11, 2025 “If you struggle with some of the teachings of the Church, why are you Catholic?” my friend asked, playfully. “Or does that just make you a bad Catholic?” “Lots of things make me a bad Catholic,” I responded. “And I could be wrong, but I honestly don’t think the fact that I struggle with a couple Church teachings is one of them. But I’m Catholic because the struggles are my problem, they’re not the Church’s problem, and I’m not going to throw the whole thing away – sacraments and fullness of truth – because of one or two issues that are small in the grand scheme of things.” Yes, I struggle with some of the teachings of the Catholic Church, and that fact comes up far more frequently than I’d like it to in conversations, especially with my friends who don’t share our faith. I’m certainly not proud of the fact that there are certain Church teachings that I can’t wrap my head around or that I struggle to accept, though based on conversations I’ve had, I get the distinct impression I’m not the only Catholic who struggles with at least one or two of our Church’s teachings. While my friend started the conversation playfully, sort of picking on me, my answer surprised her, and the tone of the conversation changed. She asked for further explanation. I’m no expert in theology, ethics or anything even remotely related, but to me the key distinction is that “I struggle” in the present tense. It’s ongoing. I don’t dig in my heels and say, “sorry, Church I believe is founded and sustained by Jesus himself, I’m right and you’re wrong.” Instead, I try to continue learning about those teachings, I try to continue praying with and about those teachings, and I continue struggling with those teachings. Let’s be honest here, God knows exactly who I am. He knows I am strong willed and more than a little stubborn. He knows I’m painfully attached to my own will. He can surely handle me saying, “I don’t know about this. That’s a hard one.” When I acknowledge those struggles and talk about them, the conversations sometimes reveal insights that make the struggles easier or bring me closer to full acceptance of truth. They make me a better Catholic. |
|||||
|
|||||||||
