The other day, my brother and I had a miscommunication that led to exchanging unpleasant words. In the heat of the moment, he questioned my spiritual life because I disagreed with him. This made me realize that he might assume, since I devote myself to spiritual and religious matters, I should always do good-- something I’m also struggling with. Even if I don’t offend someone, there’s always something more I should’ve done. This echoes during the Confiteor recited at the beginning of the Mass: "in my thoughts and in my words, in what I have done, and in what I have failed to do."

My brother, whom I consider a Secular Catholic, interprets truth in a way that aligns with his understanding of kindness. Our argument escalated, and I got offended when he suggested how I should behave as a Practicing Catholic. Dominated by anger, I asked him if he truly knows God-- that was a mistake, I know. The next morning, I sent him a message to apologize and clarify that I wasn’t mad. We agreed not to hold a grudge and returned to our regular days. However, I still stand by my beliefs and feel no need to justify them. This encounter reminded me of the danger of possessing limited knowledge and being overconfident. This might be the case for other Secular Catholics, who believe things that sometimes contradict Scripture.

In my journey of nurturing my faith, I’ve discovered many of Jesus’ teachings that challenged my principles. It took me some time to accept them; I had doubts and still do. But instead of trying to prove the Scripture is wrong, I researched until my doubts were resolved. The more I learn, the more I realize how little my faith was. It feels like I'm racing against time before my encounter with Jesus, which is by death.

I worry about my brother’s soul and others in my family who indulge in worldly pleasures. But I can't force them to change. I don't want them to embrace faith with their own conditions. All I can do is share my faith and pray for their conversion, as well as my own. God had so much work on my conversion which I’m still trying to improve.

Galatians 6:1 says, "Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted."

 

The blind leading the blind
"The Blind Leading the Blind", Pieter Bruegel the Elder, 1568