Have you ever been so excited about something you just wanted to tell everyone you know about it?
I would consider myself an avid fan of music. About once a week I come across a new song and am so enthused that I become its hype man. I quickly try and share this song/artist with those in my inner circle. Of these individuals, on a good day, maybe one or two people ever listen to my plea, let alone the song. Maybe you can relate.
Most people aren’t interested in listening to what you or I have to say. It’s not personal. In a world where every little thing is bought and sold as the greatest thing since the wheel we have become so desensitized we don’t even listen. Add to that the explosion of online content/social media and the overload has been magnified exponentially.
It is difficult when you come to the realization that if someone isn’t interested in listening to what you have to say, you can’t really do anything about it. You can’t force someone to listen.
Yet there are people who are listening and for these individuals we must lean upon “The Purple Cow” in all its remarkableness. Why? Because these individuals have had enough of the empty promises of the world, they want the real. So we lean into the very areas that make the Church so remarkable in the modern world:
Papal Infallibility
“Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely” – Lord Acton
True in every case except the pope. Ironically this quote was originally directed at the pope in protest to his infallibility. Papal infallibility is a hard teaching so why would we want to lean into it? The real question is without papal infallibility what is the office of Peter? Furthermore, what is the teaching power of the Magesterium? Papal infallibility is a sign of unity and a guarantee of Truth. Both are in short supply in a culture that doesn’t even believe in objective truth.
Contraception
Oh the nasty C word. It’s no secret that the majority of the world disagrees with the Church on this teaching, yet those who explore it honestly see its wisdom and truth. This very teaching has been a shining light for many converts from Protestantism including well known convert Scott Hahn. As the contraceptive culture roots itself deeper within our culture the prophetic words of Humanae Vitae will become even harder to deny.
Mary
Mary is a big bone of contention for many; she was even for me despite being raised in the Church. Reflecting on my own struggle and resentment I’ve come to see its rooting was in pride. I was fine humbling myself before God but I wasn’t willing to say I needed some other human being as an intercessor. Yet Mary is one of our greatest assets in this new evangelization. She is Christ’s Mother as well as our own and because of this countless have entered the Church through her intercession. A few inspiring examples of this are Melinda Selmys and Fr. Donald Calloway. A relationship with Mary brings us closer to Christ.
The Eucharist
This is about as remarkable as it gets. To believe that God became man is one thing, but that God becomes bread routinely is a whole other story. It seems too good to be true which makes the Eucharist our greatest bargaining chip. Who wouldn’t want heaven on Earth?
These teachings aren’t powerful evangelistic tools just because they are remarkable. These teachings are powerful because they are true.
This article is part 2 of a 3 part series.
Next week:
Why I believe in “The Purple Cow”: Part 3
Moovers and Shakers
Last week:
Why I believe in “The Purple Cow”: Part 1
4 thoughts on “Why I believe in “The Purple Cow”: Part 2”
Great post, Steve! I loved each of your “purple cows”.
I’d add that, though, that in a certain sense, Acton’s quote doesn’t apply to the Pope at all. For the Pope doesn’t have absolute power–he has no power. He has no authority to overturn, change, or soften the teachings passed down by Christ. He is only a mouthpiece, a communicator of God’s love and truth for the Church.
The best Pope’s are the ones who lay down their scepter and bend their knees. There they find their true power which comes not through totalitarian reign but through humble obedience.
I love this article. These truly are things that makes the Catholic Church stand out in this world. Mary was influential in my conversion although I’m reluctant to talk about it because it does inadvertently seem to support the misinformation out there. You see, I converted to Catholicism directly from Wicca/Neo-paganism. I was a “Goddess girl” when I was a witch, so as I became Catholic, I developed a huge devotion to Mary. So, it’s kind of like initially I switched one Goddess out for another (although we all should know Mary is *not* a Goddess). I don’t have nearly the devotion to her that I once had, but it did help me to have a devotion to her when I initially converted.
@ Brandon – Great point on Papal authority, this clarification is an important one to make.
@ Bethanie – Thanks for sharing a little of your testimony. I can relate as my own reversion was through Mary as well. Just like in your situation Mary drew me in only to get out of the way and point me to a deeper relationship to Christ. To Jesus through Mary. I encourage you to watch the video I posted about Melinda Selmys, it sounds like you have many parallels in your journey.
Yes. Our Lady is a wonderful Mother. It is because of her that I turned.