Catholics and Christians, in general, live with a tension. On one hand, they know that grace builds on nature and that God is reasonable while, on the other, the cross is: "... a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Greeks." (1 Cor 1: 23) No wonder unbelievers struggle to understand us. Aggressive atheists, in particular, think of us as irrational such that, even if we wanted to, there can be no dialogue worthy of the name between us since: "The message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing" (1 Cor 1: 18) and "For Jews demand signs and Greeks desire wisdom." (1 Cor 1: 22) We may not be able to offer the people of today the signs they seek nor can we give them the wisdom they hanker for. Nevertheless, every single baptized person is called to witness to the power of God and the joy that it brings. We must be ready to testify to that power and communicate that joy. This has always been the case. The earliest Christians were told: "Do not fear what they fear, and do not be intimidated, but in your hearts sanctify Christ as the Lord. Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and reverence. Keep your conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned, those who abuse you for your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame." (1 Pet 3: 14-16)
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