An imaginary conversation:
Another: “Why go to Mass? None of my friends go. It is meaningless and irrelevant. Anyway, the Church is a completely discredited and misogynistic institution. Nobody should be supporting it by attending their rituals or encouraging any role for it in society”.
Me: “It is true that the Roman Catholic church along with
other Christian churches have not lived up to the Gospel. Here in Ireland, as
in elsewhere, the Church has failed on many occasions to treat people with fairness
or mercy. Not only did many individual priests and bishop betray the trust of
the people but the institution as a whole fell well short of justice and
truthfulness in regards to a wide range of issues including the treatment of
women and children.”
Another: “So, why do you have anything to do with them?”
Me: “I find meaning, value and life in Jesus Christ. For me, this is found above all in the sacraments
and, especially, the Mass. I realise my
own limitations and frailty. I want to join with others who desire to grow in
love of God and one another. The betrayals
of so many ministers and the shortcomings of the institution do not blind me to
the overwhelming gift that is Christ in the Eucharist. Neither do these
realities blind me to the overwhelming goodness of countless saints, witnesses
and ordinary people – many of whom I have known and have influenced my life much
for the better.”
Another: “You are welcome to all that. Don’t push your religion
and conservative views on my or others”
Me: “I am not. I respect your right to follow your conscience. I can only speak from my experience and
honest view of things. I welcome respect
and, where people wish, dialogue based on respect. I found me way to a deeper life in the Word
of God and the sacraments. I just wish that others would not be deprived of
such an experience because they were not aware of what is on offer beyond the
external appearances and the limitations and betrayals of the institution.”
Another: “Look, I will go to your funeral if you come to
mine!”
Me: “That’s a deal.
Do say a little prayer for me a sinner”
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