If you want to save me, throw me a raft.
I have never experienced blatant, face-to-face anti-Catholicism until yesterday. I was helping a nice older lady with her financial needs when she asked me what church I attended. Although I work in a very sterile corporate environment, I’m not shy about my faith, so I told her that I attend the local Catholic parish. She explained that she was a member of the local Pentecostal congregation and proceeded to invite me to her church. I very politely declined explaining that I have been a Catholic since birth and I really love my faith. So far, so good. There really was no harm in the invitation. But her next statement caught me off-guard. She leaned in and almost whispered, “Your priests don’t preach the truth”. Needless to say, I was taken aback.
Unfortunately, I was at work so I was unable to enter into a debate with this woman. I just brushed her off and sent her on her way. But I think her attitude is indicative of the strong anti-Catholic sentiment that is ever-present today, especially among protestants. I have been preparing for the time when I’d have to defend my faith, and I am very sorry that I was hindered from doing so in this instance (don’t get me wrong, I’ve always defended the faith, but not in a clear, learned manner). But I know there will be more attacks on my faith and I’m sure I will be given ample opportunity to put my knowledge to good use.
But, hey, in the future if you want to save me, just throw me a raft. I have the only Church founded by Christ that is handling the salvation of my soul.
