Our Response to Crisis: Fear or Faith?

What emotions does the word “crisis” elicit in you? The Chinese word for crisis is comprised of two characters. The first character translates as danger. The second has loosely been translated in Western Culture as opportunity. More correctly it means “change point,” or “inflection point.” To my mind, these “points” are akin to a crossroads, and would indeed imply an opportunity. Semantics in a complex language I know nothing about aside, the idea that an entire culture sees the occurrence of a crisis as more than simply an opportunity to panic is very inspiring and thought provoking.

It would seem that the Catholic Church in the United States is in a crisis, with the number of people who report being practicing members declining drastically over the past fifty or so years, and especially during the past ten. There are as many reasons for this as there are former Catholics, but one area that has had an impact is the practice of so-called New Age spiritualities. Much ink has been spilled about these practices. The New Age problem is presented beautifully and thoroughly in the encyclical Jesus Christ, the Bearer of the Water of Life.

The question that is more relevant to each of us who are not participating in these practices is, how do we respond when a loved one tells us that they are? Interiorly we might be tempted by one or both of two movements in our spirit: fear and judgement. We fear for the soul we are speaking with, and we judge them as being engaged in sin. Neither one of these movements of spirit are going to be helpful in bringing the love of Jesus to the soul in danger. Neither one of these movements of spirit are going to be helpful in enlightening the soul to a better way. Neither one of these movements of spirit are going to lead us to the end result we crave for the soul in danger: deeper union with God through the gift of faith and the practice of Catholicism.  

Yes, it is natural to feel fear in the face of danger, whether that danger is physical or spiritual. Yes, it is normal and even desirable for our minds to make judgements about right and wrong. The question is, however, do we respond to a person disclosing a dangerous involvement out of that fear and judgement, or do we respond out of trust in God? If God has brought us to a moment like this, he is giving us the grace to be of assistance to the soul in question. Whether that grace is as simple as praying for the person, or as complex as having a long discussion with them, the grace will not operate as well if our own souls are not in peaceful trust of the God who has provided it.

We may have the knowledge to explain to a person the exact dangers and consequences of getting involved with New Age Activity #274, complete with one hundred helpful references. But that knowledge may not be what God is asking us to share at that moment. In this individual Danger-Opportunity, God may be inviting us to take a deep breath, offer a quick prayer and gently ask the person what it is that drew them to this activity. What are they seeking?

One does not have to scratch the surface too deeply at an answer like, “Well, I’ve been really anxious lately, and New Age Activity #146 makes me feel relaxed and meditative,” to see that the person is seeking the peace that ultimately comes from union with God. A person who is actively involved in such activities is at an “inflection point” or crossroads, and we may have been handed an opportunity to show them other options outside of the New Age. If we set aside our fear and judgement in favor of trust in God, His peace will be able to flow through us to the person and naturally attract him or her in a way no amount of well-researched discourse ever could.

In this Jubilee Year of Hope, Pope Francis has called us to be Christians who not only have hope, but actually “radiate hope.” We have the opportunity to let go of fearful, judgmental reactions, to trust God and to respond to the seekers of the world with authentic inquisitiveness. When we do this, God can work through us, and the hope that is in us will radiate out to them.

The Crisis in the Church is a Danger-Opportunity. The Crisis in a soul falling away from Christian faith is a Danger-Opportunity. The Crisis of fear and judgement rising in our own souls is a Danger-Opportunity. But when we choose to breathe, pray, and respond in trust and love, the truth that comes out of our mouths will serve to draw the soul in crisis towards God instead of alienating them further from Him. This in turn causes our own trust to grow. The opportunity never fails, regardless if the outcome is as simple as a prayer or as challenging as a loving but difficult conversation.

As God would have it, I am writing this on January 31^st, the feast of St. John Bosco, the “Apostle of Youth.”  He was a wonderful teacher of young people, many of whom had gone astray. St. John’s words to his fellow teachers continue to encourage us today to restrain our own emotions that we may transmit the truth with love. Though he writes about the punishment of students, the ideas hold true for any sort of correction:

See that no one finds you motivated by impetuosity or willfulness. It is difficult to keep calm when administering punishment, but this must be done if we are to keep ourselves from showing off our authority or spilling out our anger.

Let us regard those boys over whom we have some authority as our own sons. Let us place ourselves in their service. Let us be ashamed to assume an attitude of superiority. Let us not rule over them except for the purpose of serving them better.

This was the method that Jesus used with the apostles. He put up with their ignorance and roughness and even their infidelity. He treated sinners with a kindness and affection that caused some to be shocked, others to be scandalized, and still others to hope for God’s mercy. And so, he bade us to be gentle and humble of heart.

They are our sons, and so in correcting their mistakes we must lay aside all anger and restrain it so firmly that it is extinguished entirely.

There must be no hostility in our minds, no contempt in our eyes, no insult on our lips. We must use mercy for the present and have hope for the future, as is fitting for true fathers who are eager for real correction and improvement.

In serious matters it is better to beg God humbly than to send forth a flood of words that will only offend the listeners and have no effect on those who are guilty.

Whether we are dealing with the emotions of fear and judgement due to a dangerous activity a loved one is involved in, or anger and willfulness because of a student’s poor behavior, St. John Bosco is right; we are called to emulate Jesus whose longsuffering with the apostles is our model for being of real help to souls.

Lord, please help us to model our behavior on that of saints like John Bosco and on yours. When we are confronted with situations where correction is in order, may we banish all fear and judgement. May we interact with souls in crisis without anger, but instead radiate hope and a firm trust in you. May the souls before us sense only deep love from us, and may they ultimately know that the source of that deep love is you. Amen.

Photo by Desmond Lingard on Unsplash