Two Great Unapologetic Posts

After my post below I  managed to visit some of my favorite blogs.  Two had excellent posts better describing what I was trying to say, Todd at Catholic Sensibility had this post and Steven Riddle at Flos Caremelli had this post. Both are thoughtful.  Mr. Riddle also has a bonus post practicing what I was  unsuccessfully attempting to preach. Todd observed that dissent with fellow blog commentators is not necessarily dissent from the magisterium, and merely contrasting the teaching with personal experience isn't dissent either. he's right.

Mr. Riddle actually captioned his entry, "Lessons Learned" which is as close as I can expect anyone to come to just outright saying, "I could be wrong."  He finds himself asking this question:

(1) Did I read what the person wrote, or did I misread it with my own agenda? Moreover, did I read what was intended or what flat words end up sounding like when they achieve print?   

I often find, upon second reading and reflection that something was lost in transmission.

He also makes this observation: If you are asking yourself if you might be being a jerk either (1) you are not being a jerk; or (2) you are well on your way to becoming not a jerk.  I don't think this question is asked frequently enough in these quarters.

Finally he admits something which bothers me too, a lot. It is this fact, among others, that makes reconciling Church teaching with appropriate attitude extremely difficult. Compassion tends to overwhelm and reason tends to take a back seat. If I truly believe such conduct is a sin (and I do) then real compassion would dictate that I would confront it in the same manner as I would any sin. However, for some reason, perhaps because of past experience and wide acquaintance with the homosexual community, this is very, very difficult.

I feel similarly situated. I know a number of gay people who lovingly live out their lives and who have practiced incredible acts of charity towards me. It is difficult to reconcile that lived experience with the teachings of the Church.  I just say that for the fact that it is. I'm not on any crusade or advocating, as if I could any change in Church doctrine. I'm not gay, I have no family members who are gay And all people I know who are gay are usually kindly amused at my Catholicism. They won't become Catholic if the Catholic Church suddenly became the Jesus Metropolitan Church . I just admit that I struggle with Church teachings that clash so strongly with my own experience. I accept Mr. Riddle's wisdom that this doesn't have to be resolved today and this kind of wrestling with the issues can be a learning experience. Am I cooperating in sin by not confronting it?

Two great blog sites, check them out.

Comments

[Talmida]

Am I cooperating in sin by not confronting it?

That's the big question, isn't it?

Sexual sins are mostly private things. I don't ask whether people use birth control or NFP; I don't ask whether all their sexual acts are open to creation or not. Surely the the sexual behaviour of any couple should be shared only with God and their confessors?

I realize that a homosexual relationship is a bit different - the sexual conduct is implied, but as Mr.Riddle pointed out, how do we know they're not living a celibate life?

I think maybe it boils down to stones, glass houses, specks and logs. We don't know what order God has listed for sins. Maybe sexual sins committed in a loving relationship count for less than ignoring the poor and the homeless. Maybe not. We just don't know.

So perhaps loving the sinner and ignoring the sin is a better approach?

As usual you've raised tough questions and set me on the search for answers.

:)

[Steve Bogner]

Cooperating by not confronting....

My perspective is that I have my own sins to deal with, and that ought to get priority over confronting the sins of others. By loving my neighbor, I will lead them closer to God. And the closer they are to God, the more God's grace will flow into their lives. Then they can work out their issues directly with God.

[Steven Riddle]

Hi all,

What both Talmida and Steve said. There is great wisdom there--wisdom that in my better moments is actually incorporated into my life, and in my worse moments at least informs me enough to go to the confessional. I'm trying very hard to get out of the judgment business, and perhaps that's the chief difficulty--I'm trying rather than aligning myself with the grace that will make the work possible.

Or perhaps not. The only certainty I have is that God honors the intention and by at least making the effort I am sure that He will lead me home. By halting steps, perhaps, but nevertheless with eternal certainty.

shalom,

Steven

[Steven Riddle]

Hi all,

What both Talmida and Steve said. There is great wisdom there--wisdom that in my better moments is actually incorporated into my life, and in my worse moments at least informs me enough to go to the confessional. I'm trying very hard to get out of the judgment business, and perhaps that's the chief difficulty--I'm trying rather than aligning myself with the grace that will make the work possible.

Or perhaps not. The only certainty I have is that God honors the intention and by at least making the effort I am sure that He will lead me home. By halting steps, perhaps, but nevertheless with eternal certainty.

shalom,

Steven