Follow Jesus, Not Your Heart

I’m going to say it loud and clear: the Catholic Church isn’t here to cater to your feelings or what society thinks is acceptable. It’s here to lead us to the truth, and that truth is infallible. And no, I’m not talking about every comment or action made by a pope or priest in recent years. I’m talking about the core dogmas of the Church that have stood firm for over 2,000 years, handed down from Christ Himself.

The Church is infallible in its teachings—not in the personal opinions of priests, bishops, or even popes. Right now, we’re seeing the rise of so-called “affirming” churches and heretical priests who preach things that directly contradict the teachings of Christ. Let’s talk about the LGBTQ scandals for a moment. The Church teaches that every person has dignity because we’re all made in the image and likeness of God. But that doesn’t mean the Church suddenly gets to ignore the truth about human sexuality. Marriage is between one man and one woman, and sexual acts are reserved for that union. That’s a teaching that doesn’t change just because society says otherwise. We love the sinner, but we cannot affirm the sin.

And let’s be clear about another thing: no child should ever have two moms or two dads. Every child deserves a mother and a father to the best of our ability in this broken world. Yes, there are tragic situations like death or abandonment where a parent is forced to raise a child alone, and that’s heartbreaking. But we cannot—we must not—intentionally place a child into a pseudo-marriage where they are deprived of either a mother or a father. It’s one thing when a husband or wife leaves or passes away, but it’s a whole different story when we deliberately put a child into a situation that contradicts God’s design. To condone the adoption of a child into a depraved, pseudo-marriage is to deny that child the natural family structure they deserve. Children have rights too, and one of those rights is the right to be raised by both a mom and a dad. We’re doing them a disservice by pretending otherwise.

These “affirming” churches that tell people it’s fine to live however they feel like—because, after all, God loves everyone—are leading people straight into perdition. That’s not love. Love doesn’t lie to people or tell them that their choices, which go against God’s plan, are somehow blessed. If a priest or a church is affirming things that clearly contradict God’s word, they aren’t leading people toward the truth; they’re leading them away from it. And it’s happening right in front of our eyes.

And it’s not just the LGBTQ issue. Let’s talk about abortion. While Pope Francis has not explicitly approved of abortion, his leniency toward baptized Catholic leaders who openly support abortion—like Nancy Pelosi and Joe Biden—sends a troubling message. We all know the Church’s teaching on abortion is clear: it’s a grave sin, a direct attack on life. But we’ve seen Pope Francis allow figures like Pelosi to receive Holy Communion, despite the fact that her own bishop has excommunicated her until she publicly renounces her abortion stance. When our leaders within the Church fail to uphold the clear teachings, it causes confusion. How can someone who publicly supports and advocates for abortion—a mortal sin—be allowed to receive the Eucharist, the very Body and Blood of Christ? It undermines the gravity of the sacrament and sends a mixed message about what the Church truly stands for.

Let me give you an example straight from Scripture. Remember the rich man who came to Jesus asking what he needed to do to enter the Kingdom of Heaven? Jesus told him to sell everything he owned, give it to the poor, and follow Him. And what happened? The rich man walked away sad because he wasn’t willing to make that sacrifice. Now, did Jesus run after him and say, “Oh, that’s okay, you don’t really have to change anything—come along anyway”? No. Jesus told him the truth and let him walk away when he refused to change. Jesus didn’t bend the truth to make it easier for him. The rich man had to change, and because he chose not to, he couldn’t enter. The same principle applies today. The truth doesn’t bend to fit our lives; we are called to conform our lives to the truth. If we refuse to change, we can’t expect to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

We’re called to stand firm in the truth, even when the culture says otherwise, even when our own shepherds seem to falter. This is what it means to be Catholic. This is what it means to follow and love Jesus. It’s not about cherry-picking teachings that make us feel good. It’s about embracing the whole truth, even when it’s uncomfortable or unpopular.

I’m going to say something that might sound harsh: too many Catholics today are more concerned with being “liked” by the world than being faithful to Christ. They want the Church to bend and flex to their lifestyle, to modern culture, to their feelings. They don't want to be hated by their friends or family. But the truth doesn’t bend. The truth isn’t flexible. The truth is Christ and the teachings He left us through His Church. When we start to compromise on that, we lose everything.

And let’s not ignore the Pope’s recent comments on all religions being different paths to God. That statement flies in the face of what Jesus clearly said. There aren’t multiple paths to the Father. There is one way, and that way is through Jesus Christ and His One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. We need to stop this false inclusivity nonsense. Telling people that any religion will get them to heaven is a dangerous lie, and it’s an insult to the martyrs who died to defend the faith.

It’s time for us to wake up and realize that the Church isn’t here to affirm your every feeling or every new cultural trend. It’s here to lead souls to salvation, to the truth, and that truth is unchanging. Whether it’s abortion, the sanctity of marriage, or the Real Presence in the Eucharist, these are teachings that come from God Himself. They are infallible. They’re not up for debate, and they’re certainly not subject to your emotions.

Faith isn’t about how you feel in the moment. It’s about what is true. And if you’ve got people—whether they’re in the pews next to you, standing in the pulpit, or sitting in the Vatican—telling you that the teachings can be reinterpreted to fit today’s world, you’ve got to reject that lie. Christ’s truth is timeless. It doesn’t need to fit the mold of modern society, and thank God for that.