Receiving love comes with the obligation of giving love.
What is the largest stumbling block to Christianity?
Photo By: Flickr/Fr Lawrence Lew, O.P.
The late G.K. Chesterton answered the question quite simply, Christians. When we act contrary to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, we give a verification to those who are not a Christian. They think of all Christians as hypocrites. At times, this can be a stumbling block that prevents them from salvation. Shame on us!
At the same time, though, saints are the ones that make the largest case for Christianity. They are not hypocritical. No, their actions and words are the same. Their lives lead many to salvation.
Now, what stands in our way of us becoming saints? Ok, that may sound like a large task. However, we must realize that we are either going to be saints or going to Hell. Everyone in Heaven is a saint. Are they all canonized like the saints we have come to know? No. God provides the miracles for those saints to be canonized, to be a great symbol for us, an example.
We can be great examples for those around us. Sometimes that means admitting to our faults. If we admit our failures to those most influenced by them, we become good examples again. They see hypocritical action or words, but they also now know we are aware of them too and working to correct them. We are sinners in need of a Savior, and we were provided the best and unimaginable Savior!
Thank you Jesus! Jesus, help those who have witnessed my hypocritical actions or words. Do not let me be a stumbling block for others' salvation.
About the Author
I am an adopted son of God through baptism, though still a great sinner. God has blessed me with a wonderful wife and 11 lovely children, 3 of which have gone to Heaven before their birth.
I love the Rosary and started sharing little Catholic reflections with others. My little reflections have helped deepen my faith and I hope they can help others as well. Though not always fully inspired by the Holy Spirit, I enjoy when He takes over and seeing what direction He takes the reflection.
Please say a prayer for me and I will continue to pray for all who read my little reflections, especially for them to be read as the Holy Spirit intends. St. Maximilian Kolbe, pray for the success of my little reflections and for all of Catholic365 and its readers.
