HOW TO HANDLE A CATHOLIC BASHER

First, stop calling them "basher", hater or any other similar term.

Now back to my article :)

Many were blessed by the recent Papal visit. I met a lot of people who are more than willing to share their Pope encounter. Countless proclaimed joyfully how they were blessed by the recent event.

But every coin has two sides.

Some people also criticized the Pope’s visit. Some took it as an opportunity to bash the Catholics. They spoke against Catholicism and even the Pope himself. Of course our knee jerk reaction is to fight back by saying:

·      "How can you hate a person like Pope Francis?" Or

·      "You're wrong, we Catholics are right!" Or

·      "Lets have a debate on this!" Or

·      "I will send a nuclear missile to your house so that you and your household may burn, die and go to ...@#*!$%"

That last one is my example of a sarcastic statement. I hope and pray that you did not say that.

None of these fighting words will help. The right reply is to follow what our first Pope told us in 1 Peter 3:15-16 - "Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope, but do it with gentleness and reverence, keeping your conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned, those who defame your good conduct in Christ may themselves be put to shame." 

** (emphasis mine)

We should be ready to DEFEND but first and foremost be GENTLE & RESPECTFUL.

I met a few of them via social networks or thru casual conversations. Their rants have something in common. It’s due to a misunderstanding of our faith. It confirms what one of my favorite preachers, American Cardinal and hopefully future saint Fulton J. Sheen said - “There are not one hundred people in the United States who hate The Catholic Church, but there are millions who hate what they wrongly perceive the Catholic Church to be.”

We will continue to encounter people who will criticize our faith. My prayer is that we remember that in this encounters the winner is not the person who says the last word. It’s not the person who scores the most points. The winner should always be Jesus Christ. If our encounter ends up with two angry individuals who want to beat up the other party, then it is a clear sign that Jesus did not win.

Allow me to share this story. I met someone yesterday who raised this comment during our conversation.

"I cannot be Catholic. Why should you give petitions to St. Joseph so he can pray for it? This is what your Pope said, right? Why don't you just go directly to Jesus?"

I smiled and told him - "Before I answer is there a concern now that you want me to pray for?"

"Yes, please pray for …(states a concern). Thanks!"

"Do you think it would be better if I asked another person to join me in praying for your petition?"

"Yes, I think that would be better. The Bible says that God is present when two or more are gathered in His name".

"Is it ok if the person I have in mind is St. Joseph?"

He paused for a moment. He looked hesitant. Then he replied back with "ooooo-k…. but, I still have a few questions. Unfortunately, I have another meeting. Will it be ok to send them later via email?"

I nodded my head to say yes. "Can I send you the different Pathways sites?" (Pathways is an open Catholic prayer meeting where I serve)

"Ok"

"Will you consider visiting one of them?"

"Maybe"

We prayed together and asked for St. Joseph's intercession.

That was the end of our conversation. It ended on a good note. No bickering, fighting words or nuclear missiles necessary.

"Maybe" was good enough for me. I believed Jesus won that day.

Maybe he will accept my invitation. Maybe not. Maybe he will be curious and ask more questions. Maybe not. I leave it up to Jesus.  

Here are three simple steps we can take whenever we have similar encounters.

1. Love them don't label them. Don't call them bashers. As the song says “we are all God’s children”.  Addressing them as brother, sister or friend is the respectful way.
2. Be SILENT and LISTEN. These two words used the same letters but we find it dif and using the both is a powerful tool.
3.  Honesty is the best policy. Give them a sincere answer. If you don't know the Catholic answer then tell them. But promise to get back to them with a right Catholic answer 
4. Lastly, pray for them. If they are comfortable to pray with at that moment then do so. Otherwise, include them in your personal prayer time.

May we love more, understand more and hate less

Have a blessed day!