Why does it matter what someone else thinks?

More to the point, why do some of us put so much value in the opinions of others? Is it healthy or reasonable?

People are allowed to have their opinions. One of the things that I’m low key always aware about is that being a priest and queer–engaged to be married this summer queer–raises some eyebrows with some people. There are words which are like post-it notes that stick in my brain.

“That’s not Catholic.”

A couple of days ago, I had a wild dream in which someone dressed as a priest came into my chapel and attempted to break into the tabernacle to look at what was there. I defended the space, saying that it was the Eucharist. He continued to fight, breaking open the door. I was able to grab the ciborium from him and protect it, but he came back at me that what I was doing was no different than the worship of santa muerte.

When I woke up, I was bothered.

Follow up to yesterday, and man who is on my Facebook feed has posted a second video, attempting to poke holes in the Christian faith. And I’m hurt, and the immediate reaction is to defend my beliefs, to justify Christian belief.

And that is the mistake that I think a lot of us, including me, make.

It is very easy to get into an argument about belief, or why it is either rational or irrational to believe something. It’s not so easy to argue with actions if those actions are charitable, loving, compassionate, and kind.

The mistake I’ve been making is getting involved with an invitation to a narrative that is just a waste of time.

Writing this, I’m remembering all the times that I said people should be less concerned about validity of orders–the validity of belief, and more concerned with that belief in action.

Specifically, knowing we are Christian by what we do, not by our verbal professions. Arguments like the one I was invited to take part in are designed to be distractions from charity, distractions from love, distractions from acts of kindness and compassion. These are the strikes that we should turn the other cheek for.

Let them argue.

I’ll continue to strive to see God in everyone I encounter, especially those who are beyond the margins of society. I will continue to let them teach me, to let them show me my vulnerabilities and weaknesses. I will continue to serve.

You continue to argue about if the tomb was empty or not.

I’ve moved past the need for that argument. There are more important things to do. Like sharing love.