Collateral Faith

Sometimes following our faith can be difficult for those around us.

Because of this many of his disciples turned back and no longer went about with him. So Jesus asked the twelve, 'Do you also wish to go away? Simon Peter answered him, 'Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God. - John 6:66-69

Today we recognize the life of Saint Bridget of Kildare who was born into a Druid family in around 450, and decided to become Christian.

She became a nun, and along with other women started a nunnery at the site of a former Druid shrine.  Instead of demolishing the shrine, she kept it alive, helping many Druids see Christianity as the truth they had been searching for in their faith.

And yet this clever woman had a tainted past, in a way.  It is said of Bridget that in her younger days, she would give away all she had and much of what the family had to the poor.

Bridget saw nothing wrong with giving to help others, but I wonder how her family felt when she forced them to do the same, possibly without their prior knowledge.

She would have a difficult time today, with many focused on individual rights.  Do as you wish, but don't interfere with me or my rights.

Bridget's focus was on folks who had nothing, so to her, it made sense that those who had more should be willing to give some of what they have to those with nothing.

While we all may agree with that, how it gets meted out poses the problem here.

If your child takes money from your wallet or purse and gives it to the beggar on the street, what do you say?

Do you reprimand him for stealing from you, or congratulate him for being so caring and generous?

We would probably try to structure the lesson around what is mine and what is yours.  Do what you want with yours, but leave mine alone.

But if your child pointed out the beggar and asked you to do something, would you have given?

That's something we all need to consider, don't we?

More to come...