Psalm 62: “In you alone is my soul at rest. My help comes from You.”

Wedding receptions for someone like myself are often times to renew old acquaintances, to see former students not seen in years. Amid the untethered joy of the occasion and with, undoubtedly, a drink or two, tongues are loosened. One former student, brought up in a fundamentalist home, introduces me to Kay, his friend, and then, out of her earshot, tells me of the obligation he feels to convert her, a Jew, to his brand of Christian faith if they are ever to marry. In the setting, there's not a lot of educating I can do on the matter, so I listen. With more time and in another context I could quote Pope Francis on the plane returning from Myanmar. In answer to a question, he says that the number of Christians grows not because of vigorous attempts to persuade another person of that faith “but through attraction, that is, by giving testimony . . . by living the Gospel.”  In other words, by the love that marks our lives.

Moments later, the young lady, after her boyfriend has moved on, tells me how pleasant it is to be in a place where no one is trying to convert her! If we genuinely believe, we certainly might want to share that with others, especially those we love. We do best, however, by respect for others and their consciences and by living our beliefs in an attractive and dedicated manner.

Psalm 27: “I believe I shall see the Lord’s goodness / in the land of the living.

Wait for the Lord; be strong; / be stouthearted, and wait for the Lord!”

Reply to Fr. Don at: DTalafous@csbsju.edu

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