Stop Defending your faith

Stop Defending your faith As a former catechist, are often dealt with after the lessons from other Catholics seek help on matters of faith. Usually come forward because someone has challenged to defend their beliefs. Embarrassment later when they were unable to offer a convincing answer. I suggest it's time? Redirect fire. N. more defensive mode. No more than a half-apology. It is no longer sin. E? S time to take the offensive - and respectful of charity - but with conviction. E? S time to challenge the challengers. As members of a true Church founded by Jesus Christ, what we have reason to be on the defensive? Because we feel obliged to demonstrate our faith when they cover all the sacred deposit of revelation? As Catholics, we do not have anything in our path to salvation. The Catechism reminds us of our beautiful heritage citing Vatican II? S Decree on Ecumenism (Unitatis Redintegratio):? Through Christ? S is the only Catholic Church, which is the universal help towards salvation, that the fullness of the means of salvation can be obtained. E 'was the apostolic college alone, of which Peter is the head, we believe that our Lord entrusted all the assets of the New Covenant to establish on earth the one Body of Christ to all who should be fully integrated in any way belong to the people of God. " [Emphasis added] We have the good fortune of more than 2000 years of tradition Santo. We have many martyrs and saints, the sacraments powerful, insightful advice and synods, and a splendid Catechism inspired writings of the Fathers and Doctors of the Church. Moreover, it is only under the authority of the Successor of Peter, that the world was able to experience God? s Word in Sacred Scripture. Be beneficiaries of that legacy does not mean that we should be on trial or smuggling. Our baptism, however, demands that we invite others to discover the truth. Instead of being defensive, we should be difficult for the other reasons for which are not part of a true Church. With a heritage so deep and wide, which could condemn the Catholic Church? Explain itself? Why someone does not want to be immersed in the fullness of Christian revelation? What is preventing millions of people to join us in mining the treasures of this ancient faith? Imagine that require a great actor or sports figure to show the reason for their worldly success. They respond with a room full of awards and recognition in life. Our challenge evaporates without saying a single word of their body of work speaks volumes. Recall the analogy of the Church as a great line. For over the centuries, groups of people who decide to mutiny for various reasons (heresy, schism and apostasy) and on their strike. Located in their rescue, they may take different things they consider important. Agreement becomes the standard of faith rather than obedience. Writing an eviscerated and take a two sacraments, Scripture, but not the other sacraments, a Catholic education, but rejects the authority of the Pope and another decides to Christ is not God. And so on ... All these small rescue boats are now out. All refused to retu, despite our pleas for the railing. Have chosen to chart their course, not liable to apostolic authority. They craft or their religion? spin? Christianity at their convenience. Everything we have comes from the mother ship - only fragments of Catholicism Tore the tapestry of tradition. Because of their separation, we can guarantee their safety? "You can - it affirms that everyone has the means of salvation? We can say that I am on the right track? We can not. Leaving the boat of Peter, that trade with the fullness of faith in obscure fragments and subjective interpretations. Pope John Paul II reminds us that the greatest sin of our time Christian disunity. He rightly insists that we can not change the world if you do not speak with one voice and one heart with love. The Church is a multitude of interdependent elements. Remove some of the parts and is no longer able to function properly. The Catechism reminds us to pray for all who in any way the people of God. " Especially those who have one? imperfect communion? with the Catholic Church and those who? have not yet received the Gospel. While the nostalgia of a body of believers we are called to preserve and honor to God? s revelation intact. We are not able to reduce our holy Tradition. The concept calls the cultural festival of the things we have in common shares may also reject the things we are not. We must not sacrifice the truth on the altar of ecumenism. Our goal is to encourage everyone to warmth and safety of the mother ship, not to join them in the rescue. Only when everyone is on board to safety will be our task is complete. Be proud to be Catholic. Radiate this joy, encouraging others to discover the majesty of Christ? s true church. Remember the next time a challenge is issued, a number of your choice. Charitable respond by asking why one might be content with just a piece of the party!