As a Roman Catholic I am oftentimes the subject of scorn, ridicule, and insult. Over the last seven to eight years others have called me an idol worshipper, a follower of the anti-christ, a papist, and a fake Christian. I've been accused of worshipping goddesses and trying to deify ordinary men and women. I've been told that I am not saved, nor do I truly have faith in Christ in my heart. I've had Christians hand me pamphlets like this one, urging me to truly convert:
These statements make me smile, particularly when I turn to this excerpt from the Gospel according to Luke (21: 12-19)
Jesus said to the crowd: "They will seize and persecute you, they will hand you over to the synagogues and to prisons, and they will have you led before kings and governors because of my name. It will lead to your giving testimony. Remember, you are not to prepare your defense beforehand, for I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute. You will even be handed over by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends, and they will put some of you to death. you will be hated by all because of my name, but not a hair on your head will be destroyed. By your perseverance you will secure your lives."
Bring it on, I say. Above all other things, Christians are called to love their enemies and one another. It is Christ's greatest commandment to love one another. Call me what you want, persecute me all you want, mock me all you want; I'm going to love you anyway!
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