May we all focus on Christ
A few weeks ago, I had a young woman visit my office. She came by because I asked her to. I wanted to give her an apology. I personally didn't do anything but I felt like it was needed. It was the first step for healing to begin in her heart.
Sometimes, people label themselves Christians and hurt people. Sometimes, people label themselves Catholic and hurt people. As a result, there are many people who leave the Catholic Church and doubt religion as a whole. It is one of the reasons people decide to stop attending Church.
This was the reason I felt like I needed to apologize. Someone in her life hurt her, didn't apologize and continued to claim to be a great Catholic. And this is the reason, I write the following blog. I write it in the name of the Catholic Church and I write it in my own name, for the times that without notice I have said something hurtful or judgmental and for the times that my selfish decisions have pushed or prevented someone from the Catholic Church.
To anyone who has been hurt by someone who called themselves Christian.
To anyone who has been hurt by a pastor or a person in a leadership position.
To anyone who has been unfairly judged, mistreated, or criticized.
To anyone who has been left out, mocked, or trust has been broken.
To anyone who has been let down in their time of greatest need.
On behalf of all Catholic people, I am sorry.
I wish I could say that it won't happen again or that was just a mistake.
But unfortunately, if I am honest. I can't say that.
The honest truth is that the Church is full of sinners. The Church hurts people all the time. We can look back at our history and see the mistakes.
You see there is a thing about Catholics, really about all of us. We are not perfect. We mess up. We make mistakes. Being Catholic or claiming to live a Catholic life does not automatically make us saints.
The whole point of being Catholic is because we are aware of our need of Christ. We are aware of our sinfulness and brokenness. The whole reason we are Catholic is to come to know God so we can love and serve Him.
Of course, we often fail. Perhaps more than we would like to admit.
I want to ask you to focus on Christ. On His redemption and mercy for us all.
There are some great Catholics. Some that try hard every day to be a better person, to live out the faith, and love God. They give generously, they help those in need, and love their neighbor. Even with those great witnesses, our focus should be on Christ.
Nobody will reach perfection without Him. So, focus on Christ.
We are all on the same walk, some of us walk faster and then stop, some are running, while others are constantly taking steps back, it doesn't matter what step we are on. As long as we keep trying.
If you ever decide to become Catholic or to begin to live out your faith again. I promise I will be here for you. To celebrate your walk with Christ and to push you when you want to stop. I won't expect you to be perfect, none of us are.
If you never make a choice to come back or come for the first time to the Catholic faith, I will love you anyways.
So, for whatever it was that hurt you, I'm sorry. There is no excuse for it. I don't want to just dismiss it, you matter to me. You are loved by Christ.
Grace Abounds,
Itzel Duke
Sometimes, people label themselves Christians and hurt people. Sometimes, people label themselves Catholic and hurt people. As a result, there are many people who leave the Catholic Church and doubt religion as a whole. It is one of the reasons people decide to stop attending Church.
This was the reason I felt like I needed to apologize. Someone in her life hurt her, didn't apologize and continued to claim to be a great Catholic. And this is the reason, I write the following blog. I write it in the name of the Catholic Church and I write it in my own name, for the times that without notice I have said something hurtful or judgmental and for the times that my selfish decisions have pushed or prevented someone from the Catholic Church.
To anyone who has been hurt by someone who called themselves Christian.
To anyone who has been hurt by a pastor or a person in a leadership position.
To anyone who has been unfairly judged, mistreated, or criticized.
To anyone who has been left out, mocked, or trust has been broken.
To anyone who has been let down in their time of greatest need.
On behalf of all Catholic people, I am sorry.
I wish I could say that it won't happen again or that was just a mistake.
But unfortunately, if I am honest. I can't say that.
The honest truth is that the Church is full of sinners. The Church hurts people all the time. We can look back at our history and see the mistakes.
You see there is a thing about Catholics, really about all of us. We are not perfect. We mess up. We make mistakes. Being Catholic or claiming to live a Catholic life does not automatically make us saints.
The whole point of being Catholic is because we are aware of our need of Christ. We are aware of our sinfulness and brokenness. The whole reason we are Catholic is to come to know God so we can love and serve Him.
Of course, we often fail. Perhaps more than we would like to admit.
I want to ask you to focus on Christ. On His redemption and mercy for us all.
There are some great Catholics. Some that try hard every day to be a better person, to live out the faith, and love God. They give generously, they help those in need, and love their neighbor. Even with those great witnesses, our focus should be on Christ.
Nobody will reach perfection without Him. So, focus on Christ.
We are all on the same walk, some of us walk faster and then stop, some are running, while others are constantly taking steps back, it doesn't matter what step we are on. As long as we keep trying.
If you ever decide to become Catholic or to begin to live out your faith again. I promise I will be here for you. To celebrate your walk with Christ and to push you when you want to stop. I won't expect you to be perfect, none of us are.
If you never make a choice to come back or come for the first time to the Catholic faith, I will love you anyways.
So, for whatever it was that hurt you, I'm sorry. There is no excuse for it. I don't want to just dismiss it, you matter to me. You are loved by Christ.
Grace Abounds,
Itzel Duke
Thanks for this.
ReplyDelete