Today’s reading mainly focuses on how we can help youths avoid drifting away from the faith. In today’s materialistic society, it is very easy for youths to stray. Pair this with bad catechisms and being walled off from the outside world in a Catholic school, and it spells disaster.
Apart from today’s reading, which touches on how to create a community that anchors youth to the faith, there is another duty that all Catholics, whether or not a legionnaire, should be able to do: answer questions about the faith, whether it is whether we worship Mary or whether God exists. In this day and age, people find many of these objections, and it can be easy for them to be led astray.
To this point, I would argue that we must learn more and be able to answer at least the cursory answers that are normally given. You do not need to be especially talented in this field, but you need to be able to answer some of the more common questions. Remember, a soul is at stake here, and each soul holds infinite values.
If you are facing some of these questions and do not know how to answer them, it is best to pass them on to someone more knowledgeable. Remember, in the body of Christ, some people are more gifted in this field. Also, it must be noted to not overstate any of the cases you made.
A good example of a well-known Catholic who deals with these sorts of issues (and someone I think you should look up to) would be Pope Benedict XVI, especially his treatment of the “dark passages” of the Bible. Not only did he deal with this with rigour and precision, but he did so with gentle pastoral care tailored from the biblical scholar to the average layman.
Some people might argue that studying these sorts of things is not useful. To that, I would remind you that God does look at the merits you did when you are on earth, and this is a spiritual work of mercy. Additionally, some things learnt can be used in reflection, prayer and meditation. If this was not the case, would you be able to answer the holiness of people like St Augustine, Thomas Aquinas or Robert Bellarmine?
As 1 Peter 3:15-16 mentions, “Always be ready to make your defence to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and reverence.” I ask of you, my brothers and sisters, to take seriously these things.
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