Comments on: Where’s the LOVE?

By: Living ‘in the middle’, in between and keeping the peace. « 1catholicsalmon

Sat, 04 Aug 2012 16:46:15 +0000

[...] pick up on a line of thought from a post over at the Foraging Squirrel that got my juices flowing and my mind ticking so much so, that I thought I’d follow suit [...]

By: 1catholicsalmon

1catholicsalmon — Sat, 04 Aug 2012 10:23:17 +0000

As a cradle -Catholic I struggle with the challenge of issues and I too struggle with the ‘bigger’ issues very close to home. Your honesty is commendable and the perfect springboard for constructive and open discussion for Christians at any stage of their Journey. Sharing encourages thinking, growth and reaching for more.
I stand with you as a Pilgrim.

By: ...

... — Sat, 04 Aug 2012 10:00:24 +0000

Thank you for taking the time to talk to me about this. I felt it was necessary to be honest about where I stand– as a new catholic I struggle with certain issues and obviously this is one. I pray for more understanding.

By: 1catholicsalmon

1catholicsalmon — Sat, 04 Aug 2012 09:24:49 +0000

Will be reading that homily.

By: 1catholicsalmon

1catholicsalmon — Sat, 04 Aug 2012 08:30:46 +0000

An excellent post, covering lots of issues: I too have experience in having to find the ‘middle’ and sometimes it’s really mind-numbingly difficult making decisions.
I’d like to comment on this:
‘I continue to walk the line between the two worlds. I converted to Catholicism but this weekend am going to my gay relative’s wedding.’
As a Christian in this secular world we live in I don’t think there’s space for us to walk in ‘in the middle’. It’s becoming more and more necessary to stand at the start line, ready to compete with conviction; quietly ready to withstand the difficult questions and perhaps snide and derogatory remarks from those ignorant of the Truth. By doing this, we can get others to think about our decision, enquire and respect us for our conviction (or not). We need to stand firm.
I ABSOLUTELY relate to the position you’re in, but I know that I would not have attended the wedding. (I am not ready to share the reasons why I an able empathise with you, but can say that I totally understand your predicament in this situation).
Our Faith gives us clarity and direction. It points undoubtedly True North. It’s tenants can be relied 100%.
I am eager to read of your experiences, more especially your emotional experiences at the wedding.

By: ...

... — Fri, 03 Aug 2012 15:56:46 +0000

Thanks so much- I appreciate it

By: Lori Carpenter

Lori Carpenter — Fri, 03 Aug 2012 15:16:22 +0000

Amen sistuh! I love your blog! This one really touched me because I’m a Democrat (yeah, I said it) married to a Republican and I’m also a Catholic and he’s a Baptist who happens to attend church with me more than he goes to his own church (just don’t tell his mama). We respect each other enough to never let our beliefs become an issue. There are some members of my family (ok, all of them) who are staunch conservatives and only see black and white, absolutely no gray so there’s no point in arguing my side…I don’t even try. On the other hand, I DO see both sides, most of the time, so I describe myself as a fence straddler and I’m very happy there…so thank you for your blogs…keep em coming!

By: ...

... — Fri, 03 Aug 2012 01:56:14 +0000

I’ll be the first to admit it can be easier to be in the middle. I don’t always feel qualified to evangelize so I’m glad there are people like you to do so. I will look at that Homily. Thanks for your help.

By: Biltrix

Biltrix — Fri, 03 Aug 2012 01:34:58 +0000

I quickly realized how to work the system and write “politically correct” papers and make “politically correct art” to get the A’s I needed for my GPA.

I had a similar experience during grad school at a Catholic University.

As for the culture wars… Nobody likes them. The sensationalism that the media hypes tends to polarize people more, and more. My personal feeling on the matter, however, is that we need to evangelize the culture. But whatever we do, as the Gospel teaches, we must do it with love. As Augustine put it Dilige et quod vis fac. (Homily 7 on the First Epistle of John). The whole homily is worth reading. It drives the point home: Whatever you do, praise, scold, teach, obey, work, pay… do it with love. Thanks for the reminder.

By: danielwalldammit

danielwalldammit — Thu, 02 Aug 2012 23:38:41 +0000

I had similar feelings in college, not so much putting me in the middle, but I often felt like my lefty college friends were off on the least helpful stuff while my more conservative friends and family often shocked me with their comments.