[Pearls Ep 157: Answering atheism Tuesday.]
In Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus calls us to go out and be Salt and Light to the world. That should be a pretty easy sell to a world that is mostly bland (the “monoculture” of mainstream media and “social” media) and gloomy (how ‘bout them headlines…).
But the world isn’t always open to salt and light, especially when it entails truth rather than pandering.
In last week’s Pearls video I (Steve) share the story of a conversation with a priest-friend of Fr. James Martin (we’ll call him Fr. Anonymous). You should watch the video to do it justice, but in short, I had a conversation with Fr. Anonymous, expressing concern over a talk Fr. Martin was scheduled to give at a retreat center run by Fr. Anonymous. He said he was comfortable speaking to Fr. Martin’s LGBTQ ministry and happy to field my concerns. The conversation was cordial and reasonable until Fr. Anonymous made the usual point that Fr. Martin is just reflecting Jesus’ ministerial approach of reaching out and accompanying people. I took no issue with “reaching out” (of course), but pointed out that Jesus never left it at accompaniment, but then took the next step of offering conversion. I asked (respectfully and genuinely – not accusatorily) whether Fr. Anonymous could point to one instance where Fr. Martin ever preached conversion to those living in homosexual sin.
And then Fr. Anonymous came unglued. We were speaking by phone, thankfully. He went into a rage, spouting invectives, and eventually hung up on me, not allowing me to get in a single word. I tried to reach back out to him (by phone, email, and written letter) – no response.
Now the LGBTQ issue is a lightning rod for sure, but this story, while dramatic, is an illustration of the broader truth that sometimes (many times?) salt and light will be resisted by the world. It’s not for nothing that Jesus’ teaching on salt and light follows right after the Beatitude of being persecuted in the world.
Here are some basic rules of engagement based on the three enemies (our fallen human nature, the fallen world and satan).
- Broken Humanity: When we reach out to people, we’re connecting with their entire person, including their wounds and brokenness. Anonymous obviously had a wound tied closely to the LGBTQ issue. I have plenty of my own (just ask Karen!) – things that can still push my buttons. And when something touches on a wound – unless we’ve gone well down the path of spiritual healing – we don’t respond rationally. It’s important to be aware when you’ve stepped into that world of the other person, and tread lightly unless and until they’re able to come back to a place of rationality.
- The Fallen World: Whoever we’re talking to has the full weight, force, and momentum of the fallen world at their back. Here it takes wisdom to not get dragged into side issues. For example, it’s not uncommon that if we try to discuss Catholic spirituality with people, they’ll go right to objections based on hot-button issues like abortion. The key is to stay focused on the topic at hand, which probably has something to do with pointing out Christ’s love for them, and not go down distracting rabbit holes. Here we are called to be “wise as serpents and innocent as doves.”
- Satan and his minions: Wounds and contentious issues are satan’s stock in trade. He and his minions hover about, ready to fan the flames. That’s why, for example, we need to bring our own woundedness to Christ – so that our wounds become sanctified in His and the enemy can no longer use them to get at us. And if we sense we’ve touched on someone else’s wound we can bet we’re also up against demonic forces – I sensed that w/ Fr. Anonymous – at which point it’s our job to stay small and call on the Holy Spirit – praying for protection, deliverance, and renunciation.
Being salt and light in a fallen world is no small calling and not for the faint of heart. We have to prepare and do our homework – especially in prayer, with the source of salt and light…
Blessings on your journey with Christ –
Steve
Steve and Karen Smith
Interior Life
Postscript: Mt 5:13-16
Jesus said to his disciples: “You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned? It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house.
Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.”