Are we aware that people, seeing us attend Mass and identifying as Catholics, whether we like it or not, are measuring us against Catholic law and/or values? As missionary disciples we, the baptized, are exhorted to be visible in faith, contagious in hope and exemplary in charity. We should be happy to manifest our faith in public: "... let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven," (Mt 5: 16) We certainly do not want to hear the verdict: "... therefore, do whatever they teach you and follow it; but do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they teach." (Mt 23: 3) Whether they are prepared to admit it or not, many non-believers look to the Catholic Church for guidance. When we act contrary to the teachings of the Church on mercy. love and forgiveness we cause scandal: "They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on the shoulders of others, but they themselves are unwilling to lift a finger to move them." (Mt 25: 4) Let us not discourage others from experiencing Christ through our own shortcoming: "Woe to the world because of stumbling blocks! Occasions for stumbling are bound to come, but woe to the one by whom the stumbling block comes!" (Mt 18: 7)
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