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When I point out wrongdoing, when I fail to approve a deviant lifestyle, or when I choose not to accept another’s brand of morality, I am awarded
“insensitive” badge for my vest. Sew it on, for I cannot back off for fear of society’s punishment. I cannot water down or compromise my beliefs. I simply do not have that choice.
Which brings me to being downright annoying. Here I am, plodding through life wearing badges of my societal sins. Now that my status is known, I present a problem to enlightened ones. They know for what I stand and have to figure out how to avoid my bothersome beliefs. After all, my faith may awaken long-dormant notions of right and wrong in their own minds. Perhaps my presence will prompt them to walk down hallways of conscience, chancing upon old friends. Loyal but bothersome friends like virtue, truth and faith.
It’s kind of like inviting your loud Uncle Joe to your Christmas party. Protocol demands you tender an invitation, but you cringe at thought that he’ll regale your guests with stories from your childhood. Stories that are terribly embarrassing mainly because they’re all true. Having a guy like me around is equally troublesome. Someone might discover that what I profess to be true is actually just that.
Thanks to my Baptism, I bought into notion that God has standards which he established for a reason. He set bar at a challenging height. His Commandments, Beatitudes and Gospels are designed to continually fortify my intolerance and insensitivity toward sin. When I don’t live up to his standards, I am compelled to take responsibility for my failures. With utter disdain for my transgressions, I must humbly seek Reconciliation. In turn, God lavishes his mercy and forgiveness. In his goodness, however, God never relieves me of mandate to live rightly. I am continually reminded to,“...Go and sin no more.”
So, off I go in search of others who still like old-fashioned dictionaries. I look for those whom society deems intolerant, insensitive and annoying for their steadfast refusal to capitulate to culture. Those who still believe that God’s law is not negotiable. Those who understand that we cannot redefine our vocabulary to serve as a smokescreen for sin.
When a new term or a redefined old term comes along, I must ask key question: What exactly am I being asked to compromise? I must demand clarity. I must ask hard questions. I must not let my culture off hook with feel-good euphemisms. I must not allow myself to be manipulated. Too much is at stake.
I have already navigated minefields of political correctness, multiculturalism, diversity, alternate lifestyles and inclusion. With every one of these fancy terms, drilling down uncovered multitude of moral compromises buried in their meaning. None could stand scrutiny of my trusty dictionary.
I am unashamed of new badges on my vest. They tell an important story. By all means alert enlightened members of society. Have them strike my name from all party invitations. Delete me from their Christmas card list. Make sure they don’t include me in any important convention, meeting or event. After all, if I am included people might come over and check out my vest.
Gary Shirley, his wife, and three children are members of St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Kennesaw, Georgia where Gary serves as catechist in the adult education program. Gary is an Archdiocese of Atlanta certified catechist (both PSR and RCIA) with 13 years teaching experience.
