Expert: J.M.J. West - 11/8/2008

Question
I have found that lots of christians are cantankerous, slanderous and murderous.It is difficult to defy the majority and be a lone person whose only desire is god. how does one manage to retain hgoliness as well as reach higher levels amidst a vastly selfish disobedient majority. Why can't they understand basic simple truths and why is it so hard to be nice? What is so difficult about it. How does one save oneself when all that the whole world ever thinks of is money , cheating, killing, crooking.
           Thanking you,                         Maria

Answer
Maria, Thanks for your questions.

YOU WROTE:
"I have found that lots of christians are cantankerous, slanderous and murderous."

To my knowledge, few within Christianity will deny this, though most outside of Christianity expect otherwise.  It is a tenet of the faith that we are - all of us - broken creatures, wallowing in our selfishness and pride.

This does not, however, excuse Christians from sinning but rather ought to convict them all to sin less and be more Christ-like daily.  Ghandi is reported to have said "I like your Christ, but not your Christians", because he'd never met a Christ-like Christian (or so the story goes). This is a real poverty and a scandal, because it means we're not effectively witnessing to the truth of the Gospels which the world is starving for.

YOU WROTE:
"It is difficult to defy the majority and be a lone person whose only desire is god. how does one manage to retain hgoliness as well as reach higher levels amidst a vastly selfish disobedient majority."

Narrow is the way that leads to salvation...wide is the path that leads to destruction.  The world is corrupt, and we are all a part of the world, yet we are called to be apart from the world.  Pray.  Fast.  Give to the poor.  Help the sick and infirm.  These are the works we are called to; these are the works which lead us to Christ.

But to retain the holiness, most important is the reception of the Sacraments, especially Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Confession (also Last Rites, and Marriage and Holy Orders for those who are called to such vocations).  Frequenting mass, receiving communion, going to confession, these are the actions which make us holy - they are our responses to actual grace which leads us to sanctifying grace, thus it is all grace.

YOU WROTE:
"Why can't they understand basic simple truths and why is it so hard to be nice? What is so difficult about it. How does one save oneself when all that the whole world ever thinks of is money , cheating, killing, crooking."

The prince of this world is strong and influential.

Conversion begins in the heart of the individual, and radiates out from there to others.  Never cease to grow in holiness yourself, and others will follow suit.

Hope that helps.

Pax Christi,

-J.M.J. West