Fatima’s Sister Lucia declared “venerable” by Pope Francis
Christians are weird
Photo by Pawel Janiak on Unsplash
Recently, there have been attacks from the Democratic Party and its candidates against former president and Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump’s vice-president pick, J.D. Vance. Their newest attack against Vance is that he is “weird”. It’s a claim started by Vice-President Kamala Harris’ running mate, Governor Tim Walz. I am not certain what Gov. Walz’s intent in calling Vance “weird” is or what he thinks the word means. He has never given a reason behind the name. However, it could be a compliment to Vance.
According to Oxford Languages, the definition of “weird” is “suggesting something supernatural; uncanny.” Merriam-Webster’s definition is “of strange or extraordinary character: odd, fantastic.” Given Vance’s bold and unapologetic statements and declarations about his faith in Christ and being a Christian, perhaps the greatest compliment one could give Vance is that he is “weird”. In fact, we should view it as a compliment if we are called by such names.
Why? Because Christ calls us to a different life than that of those living by worldly standards. We are called to love our enemies, forgive those that sin against us and hurt us, and focus more on others than ourselves. We are called to be different. Doesn’t that seem to correlate with the definitions of “weird”? The Christian life calls us to follow the Lord. It calls us to follow and conform to the ways, standards, and life of Christ. It asks us to serve Christ and what is real, true, and lasting. It prohibits us from making up our own standards, rules, and ‘truths’ that are against what is holy, godly, and brings us closer to Jesus.
The Christian life does discriminate. We are called to love everyone, even those that are viewed in terms of the world as “evil”, “outcasts”, or “unforgiveable”. We are called to see others as Christ sees them,
“So, God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” (Genesis 1:27)
“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male or female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28)
We are called to defend life at all stages. “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born, I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.” (Jeremiahs 1:5)
We are called to focus more on the things of heaven and eternity than on the things of this world. “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world-the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life – is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.” (I John 2:15-17)
The Christian life also is a calling to not judge others, but to love them. “Therefore, let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother.” (Romans 14:13)
Is J.D. Vance ‘weird’. As a Christian, I would expect nothing less from him. Are you weird?
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About the Author
Amelia Monroe Carlson graduated from the University of North Alabama with a Bachelor’s Degree in journalism. Being raised as a Methodist during her early years, it was not until she entered college where she began to take her faith seriously. She was baptized as a Southern Baptist in Muscle Shoals, AL and began immediately serving in international missions and in the church.
During college, she became the Co-founder of an International Ministry, where she spent time traveling and speaking to church groups and in large conferences. She authored a Bible study and traveled abroad on mission work. She sat on the Mid-South Interfaith Conferences in Mississippi, where she defended the faith and discussed beliefs with leaders of various religions.
After a business trip to Washington D.C., where she was introduced to a former Baptist who converted to the Catholic Church, she was placed on a journey to enter into the Catholic Church.
Amelia is a military wife and currently residents with her husband and daughter in Tennessee. She is a nine time award winning journalist, receiving press awards for various categories including investigative journalism, best news coverage, and best single feature. It is her desire to help Catholics, particularly Cradle Catholics, see the beauty in their faith which converts see and appreciate the fullness of truth which the Church has held and guarded throughout history. It is her desire all Catholics fall as much in love with Jesus as she is, and love the Church to a greater capacity than they could imagine.
Amelia taught PRE for 4-6 grade at St. Mary Catholic Church in Bolivar, Tennessee from 2014-2016. She served as Youth Director at St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church in Somerville, Tennessee in 2017-2018. She now teaches 7th grade (1st year Confirmation) PRE class at St. Philip. She's also a writer and frequent podcast guest on Our Warpath.
She has a strong devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe, St. Francis de Sales, St. Padre Pio and St. Maximilian Kolbe.
To contact Amelia for speaking inquiries at conferences, retreats, or parishes contact her via social media on Facebook (Amelia Monroe Carlson), Twitter (@2_catholic ) or send a text to: (731)518-6923.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ameliamcarlson
Twitter: @2_catholic (Catholic ministry account)
Twitter personal account: @ameliamcarlson
