Better Than All The Rest?

What makes us think we’re so special and that God favors us over others?  What makes us so self-assured that God considers Catholics to rank highest among all the rest?  This is an unfortunate attitude some of us have, and it’s an attitude that people of other faiths may share as well: "Our religion is better than yours."

This way of thinking is a recipe for disaster because it creates an “us-versus-them” mind-set causing misunderstandings, division, and conflict – something Jesus taught against.  

For example, trying to evangelize Muslims, to have them turn away from their faith is unwise and not praiseworthy.   Apparently, the text “Beginning Apologetics: How to Explain and Defend the Catholic Faith” used in a Diocesan “Beginning Apologetics” course, does this (profiled in February 27 issue of The Anchor].

According to the Anchor article, “The text’s forwarding remarks indicate an entire booklet is devoted to the understanding of Islam while taking a Catholic approach ‘to recognize its inherent weaknesses, and to evangelize Muslims.”   Perhaps a better book to reference is “No god but God: The Origins, Evolution, and Future of Islam” by Reza Aslan. 

Also, there’s Karen Armstrong’s “Twelve Steps to a Compassionate Life.”  This book is an eye-opener as to what Islam really means to its true followers.  For example, Armstrong stated, “…The basic message of the Qur’an [Koran] is that it is wrong to build a private fortune but good to share your wealth fairly to create a just and decent society where poor, vulnerable people are treated with respect…”  She also stated, “Every single recitation of the Qur’an begins with an invocation to the mercy and compassion of God.  And the relatively few texts dealing with the conduct of battle are counterbalanced by the far more numerous verses that speak of gentleness, forgiveness, kindness, courtesy, friendship, and forbearance.”

Jesus' teaching is clear in today’s Gospel reading (Luke 4:24-30) where he tells a story in a Nazareth synagogue.  Elijah was sent to a widow (non-Jew) in Zarephath in the land of Sidon, not to the many widows in Israel where severe famine spread.  Elijah cleansed only Naaman (non-Jew) the Syrian, not the many lepers of Israel.  

This story was not well received by those in the synagogue who thought they were the special, favored ones.  They rose up in fury to drive him out of town and then hurl him headlong off the brow of a hill.  

No one likes to hear they are not special.  We Catholics certainly don’t.  So, when we think about evangelization that our Pope encourages us to do, perhaps we first should listen to Jesus: “Whoever has ears to hear ought to hear” (Mark 4:9).  We should listen to him and his teachings of love, compassion, and respect for others; otherwise, as Luke cautions us:“he will pass through the midst of us and go away."

Deacon David Pierce