How cleverly Satan has exploited the misconceptions that exist in the minds of Catholics concerning their Protestant neighbors, thus overlooking the wide chasm that does separate us. In magnifying non-essentials, such as scripture quoting, the biggest bluff that has always been used in recruiting Catholics, we hear much of Bible Vigils, which implies of course that we are more deficient in that respect than they.
Catholics have always been encouraged to read the Bible, contrary to their usual accusations. Any Catholic who attends Mass regularly, attentively and interestedly, is far better instructed in the Bible than a Protestant. Their knowledge of Old Testament stories may be greater (but only in that category) because this is stressed more than the contents of the New Testament. Right of private interpretation is always claimed, which gives rise, of course, to the many sects.
What do they really prove? Exercise of memory, literal translations, overlooking the deep things of God contained, the prophecies and real “meat” and wealth which is given in our interpretations, both traditionally and scripturally. They insist on answers, reject mystery, miracles, and many have for long promoted much of what we are hearing today in refuting these things. This is a conceit of knowledge only, has nothing to do with spirituality, a personal God, or salvation, and even your best Protestants, these who are sincere, are left barren in comparison with the richness of truth which we possess.
A Protestant will invariably seek that Catholic who is weak in his faith to overcome him with this age old weapon, but let that Catholic become deeply rested in truth, and that same Protestant will avoid any discussion of religion with the plea he doesn’t want an argument. What he really means is, he knows that he can’t win it.
But for these outsiders honestly interested with their questions of the faithful, it is a deplorable fact that Catholics too often saw only a personal affront, exposing touchiness and suspicion, a lack of conviction, but mostly a feeble love of God, His Truths and the only real charity for neighbor.
This is the true picture of the barriers that did exist, mostly of a Catholic’s own making – their compromise rather than be different, the desire to be accepted, popular; envy of a Protestant easier way of life, all of which Satan could easily distort in the false ecumenism of today. But we are far less able to cope with the real challenge; the solid ground of faith needed, with the watering down that is given us, victims rather of all the errors around which are given pride of priority, even primacy of eternal truths.
This MYTH of Protestant superiority is best understood by these who once believed it –the converts who look back with shame at their stupidity, ignorance and insufferable pride, the blindness of conceit that rarely admits God and His Truths. This is the “mea culpa” of our past, all freely admitted, but we never brag about it with a yen or nostalgia for something that constitutes our most painful memories. Perhaps that is why our suffering is so keen – we don’t like to see our past reviewed so realistically, all the follies, the deceits, the complete emptiness and hollowness of a mere existence. We know all about the “meeting places” without God’s presence, the self-glorification of a social gospel, the plain altars that looked more like tables, the vagueness of God’s Commandments, the lengthy sermons that said little about Him, the brotherhood that noted who was there, what they wore, the handshaking, visiting in church with one another, a departure of “feeling good”, a sentiment aroused by contact with others, a most noble sense of self-satisfaction that for one Sunday at least we attended church, but God certainly received the scantiest consideration of all.
This is the mess of pottage that is Protestantism - mere husks – no wonder we writhe in agony and protest: “They who had led us into captivity require of us the words of songs.” At least Protestant hymns are noted for more beauty than that which we are given now. “Lead Kindly Light” could be profitably used, written by Cardinal Newman, poignant in its plea for truth before his conversion – we need it now to find our way back.
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