Unapologetically Apologetic
When you first read the title, it may seem a bit oxymoronic; however, it is not as contradictory as it seems. When most people read apologetic, they think of saying sorry, but it is far from this. Apologetics is basically the theological science by which we defend the Christian religion. As Christians, we should always be ready to defend the faith: "But sanctify the Lord Christ in your hearts, being ready always to satisfy every one that asketh you a reason of that hope which is in you" (1 Peter 3:15). It is with this that I say we must be unapologetically apologetic. We must be ready to stand fast and defend our faith without reserve and with boldness and not allow it to be depressed under the shadow of political correctness or indifferentism.
There is little doubt that to provide a defense of Christianity would require study and dedication; further, it would require an act of humility, as one would have to put aside their fears, doubts, and worldly thinking and submit their trust and will completely to God. In a world that idolizes individualism, this is no small feat. Submission to anyone else aside from one's self almost seems taboo in modern society. This leads me to the first step, living.
Lead your life by example
The world may be cacophonous, but you must be a symphony. Live your life by the precepts that were taught by Christ and preserved by His church. Do not flounder when everyone else is doing something else because our master told us that we would be persecuted in His name. Consider it a blessing, and consider that others may be watching you silently. You may be giving them the strength they need to begin their march towards God. Further, your life will have a sense of order. While most people's lives will be scrambling about, moving from one path to another not quite sure where they are going, you will have the peace of having God in your life and the security that comes with that. You will know that all things temporal and eternal are in His hands, so you need not worry. Your life will indeed be symphonic and it will have its loud parts, but overall it will be beautiful.
Study scripture
St. Jerome once said: "Ignorance of scripture is ignorance of Christ." Understand that the Bible is not just a book to be viewed on Sundays; rather, it is a book that should be read daily and meditated upon. Further, as Catholics, we should read those bibles which have been approved by Rome. There are the Douay Rheims, Confraternity Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, and New American Bible to name a few. (On a personal note, I prefer the Douay Rheims and Clementine Vulgate for orthodoxy, but that is just me.) Some of these bibles can be accessed by clicking some of the "Catholic Links" on the side of this blog. Reading the bible will give you a clearer understanding of the teachings of Christ and a closer connection to God. Further, it will give a tool to defend your faith from nay sayers.
Learn about sacred tradition
St. Paul tells us: "Therefore, brethren, stand fast: and hold the traditions, which you have learned, whether by word or by our epistle" (2 Thessalonians 2:14). There were many things which were understood by the church fathers and by the apostles which were not written in the bible, but were handed down by sacred tradition. Study the teachings of tradition and the history of the church. By doing this, it will allow you to speak knowledgeably about past events and prevent you from being deceived by well meaning, but misguided people. Perhaps it will even allow you the opportunity to bring a few people back to Rome.
Pray
Develop a regular prayer routine and consecrate yourself daily to God. Remember, your goal as a Christian is to do His will and not your own. We mustn't be prideful on our journey; instead, every action should be to His glory. If we find that our actions are starting to be directed towards our greatness, we must correct ourselves. Nevertheless, by praying you invite God into your life and allow Him to work through you. Many times as you journey, you will find that God will give you answer to hard questions; it will not be of your own doing. Attending regular Mass is always a good way to become closer to God, as is Eucharistic adoration; additionally, the rosary is always a great method to find your way and to be guided, but there is also the Liturgy of Hours, Novenas, Litanies, and countless other prayers.
Speak
Finally, there comes the challenging part, speaking. Speaking up is a very difficult part for some in apologetics. Just remember all the Lord has given you before you open your mouth. Remember that even He spoke with boldness about what was true and you too can speak boldly, but with love. You don't want to destroy the person, but you should never compromise on your religious beliefs. In face to face meetings, what more can you do than speak the truth. If people hate you for it, then that is their choice, but our Lord was also despised among his own people. I guess not much has changed. When it comes to societal values such as defense of life, sanctity of marriage, defense of the poor, etc. don't turn away. Apologetics is made for this too. Our faith demands that we help our brother and sister in need. The widowed, the orphaned, the poor, these are opportunities for us to be an example of living apologists and this is further exemplified in societal value debates, as they allow us to submit to God and defend his moral law by not letting Him be cast aside by pride and indiffrentism.
In closing, I leave you with a quote from Dietrich Von Hildebrand on Holy Audacity:
Therefore, be bold. Be humble, but have holy audacity. Be unapologetically apologetic. Defend your faith with all your heart and all your soul because you are supposed to give God nothing less.
Pax tecum.
There is little doubt that to provide a defense of Christianity would require study and dedication; further, it would require an act of humility, as one would have to put aside their fears, doubts, and worldly thinking and submit their trust and will completely to God. In a world that idolizes individualism, this is no small feat. Submission to anyone else aside from one's self almost seems taboo in modern society. This leads me to the first step, living.
Lead your life by example
The world may be cacophonous, but you must be a symphony. Live your life by the precepts that were taught by Christ and preserved by His church. Do not flounder when everyone else is doing something else because our master told us that we would be persecuted in His name. Consider it a blessing, and consider that others may be watching you silently. You may be giving them the strength they need to begin their march towards God. Further, your life will have a sense of order. While most people's lives will be scrambling about, moving from one path to another not quite sure where they are going, you will have the peace of having God in your life and the security that comes with that. You will know that all things temporal and eternal are in His hands, so you need not worry. Your life will indeed be symphonic and it will have its loud parts, but overall it will be beautiful.
Study scripture
St. Jerome once said: "Ignorance of scripture is ignorance of Christ." Understand that the Bible is not just a book to be viewed on Sundays; rather, it is a book that should be read daily and meditated upon. Further, as Catholics, we should read those bibles which have been approved by Rome. There are the Douay Rheims, Confraternity Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, and New American Bible to name a few. (On a personal note, I prefer the Douay Rheims and Clementine Vulgate for orthodoxy, but that is just me.) Some of these bibles can be accessed by clicking some of the "Catholic Links" on the side of this blog. Reading the bible will give you a clearer understanding of the teachings of Christ and a closer connection to God. Further, it will give a tool to defend your faith from nay sayers.
Learn about sacred tradition
St. Paul tells us: "Therefore, brethren, stand fast: and hold the traditions, which you have learned, whether by word or by our epistle" (2 Thessalonians 2:14). There were many things which were understood by the church fathers and by the apostles which were not written in the bible, but were handed down by sacred tradition. Study the teachings of tradition and the history of the church. By doing this, it will allow you to speak knowledgeably about past events and prevent you from being deceived by well meaning, but misguided people. Perhaps it will even allow you the opportunity to bring a few people back to Rome.
Pray
Develop a regular prayer routine and consecrate yourself daily to God. Remember, your goal as a Christian is to do His will and not your own. We mustn't be prideful on our journey; instead, every action should be to His glory. If we find that our actions are starting to be directed towards our greatness, we must correct ourselves. Nevertheless, by praying you invite God into your life and allow Him to work through you. Many times as you journey, you will find that God will give you answer to hard questions; it will not be of your own doing. Attending regular Mass is always a good way to become closer to God, as is Eucharistic adoration; additionally, the rosary is always a great method to find your way and to be guided, but there is also the Liturgy of Hours, Novenas, Litanies, and countless other prayers.
Speak
Finally, there comes the challenging part, speaking. Speaking up is a very difficult part for some in apologetics. Just remember all the Lord has given you before you open your mouth. Remember that even He spoke with boldness about what was true and you too can speak boldly, but with love. You don't want to destroy the person, but you should never compromise on your religious beliefs. In face to face meetings, what more can you do than speak the truth. If people hate you for it, then that is their choice, but our Lord was also despised among his own people. I guess not much has changed. When it comes to societal values such as defense of life, sanctity of marriage, defense of the poor, etc. don't turn away. Apologetics is made for this too. Our faith demands that we help our brother and sister in need. The widowed, the orphaned, the poor, these are opportunities for us to be an example of living apologists and this is further exemplified in societal value debates, as they allow us to submit to God and defend his moral law by not letting Him be cast aside by pride and indiffrentism.
In closing, I leave you with a quote from Dietrich Von Hildebrand on Holy Audacity:
"As faith, hope, and charity cannot be without an element of boldness, so also does true humility demand it. Our jubilant assent to our own insignificance, our heroic abandonment of all self-glorification, the relinquishment of self in following Christ - all this is incompatible with tepid mediocrity and cautious smugness. Humility is the opposite, not only of all malicious pride but of all forms of self-centered mediocrity, such as emphasis on petty pleasures or honors, any kind of slavery to conventions, any attachment of importance to unimportant concerns, any cowardice, any bourgeois complacency" (Transformation In Christ, p. 169).
Therefore, be bold. Be humble, but have holy audacity. Be unapologetically apologetic. Defend your faith with all your heart and all your soul because you are supposed to give God nothing less.
Pax tecum.
Comments
I am glad you enjoyed reading this entry. What made me write this was the fact that I have seen too many people state they are Catholic, but fail to rise to the challenge.
I have seen people allow their voices to become muted because of social conventions or due to lack of general knowledge about their faith. I guess the main culprit which I have encountered is a monster named Politcal Correctness. I guess deep down I hope to motivate someone with this blog or encourage them to keep defending their Catholic beliefs and provide them with ways to do so. Overall, I guess I just wish to emphasize that Catholicism is a way of life and not merely a title one ascribes to one's self.
-Again, thanks for the comment John. I know you have been reading my work for a long time.-