Challenging What We Know: Reflecting on Faith, Truth, and Growth
“These were their thoughts, but they erred; for their wickedness blinded them…” ~ Wisdom 2:21
In my book, Greatness Within: A Five Step Framework To Create a Life Worthy of You, I share a simplified representation for how I approach the world.
The first step of the framework is passionately challenge everything you know.
This week we read about Jesus inviting his opposition to consider new interpretations of the prophecies. Unfortunately, they chose to explain everything away, classified him as a blasphemer, and sought to eliminate him.
With all we know today, it is easy to think we are exempt from such mistakes because we purposely listen to the Word, attend mass, study Scripture, pray the rosary, and so on.
Never forget, the same people who crucified Jesus, were devout Jews.
“To Challenge” is the first step of my framework not only because it’s my natural bias to be rational about things but because I have experienced many times when my perspective and beliefs about someone or something were clearly wrong.
I continuously challenge what I believe because I am aware that my brain will automatically filter information to match my preconceived notion of the world.
I add the condition to passionately challenge what I know because some incomplete beliefs are stronger than others.
The learned and devout Jews got comfortable in their thinking and were unwilling to consider a new perspective.
But, that isn’t a single instance for humanity. Here are some additional examples:
- Galileo Galilei was called a heretic for proposing a Sun-centered solar system
- Ignaz Semmelweis, a Hungarian doctor, died in an asylum after being mocked by the scientific community for proposing doctors should wash their hands before dealing with patients. Years later, germ theory was confirmed.
- St. Joan of Arc was burned alive for heresy after leading France to victory based on divine visions she had.
- Alan Turing, responsible for breaking the Nazi Enigma code which shifted the course of the war, was persecuted and chemically castrated for being gay.
- The Wright brothers were mocked by everyone, including their father, for attempting to conquer flight when they didn’t even have a proper education.
The list can go on for a while and cover all areas of life.
Now, the review the theme of the week: Can I, without a drop of doubt, claim that my interpretation of the Catholic faith is fully aligned with the teachings of the Church?
Coming from the person who spent decades thinking the rosary was a chore and unnecessary, and now needs to pray it multiple times a day, I honestly answer with “I don’t know but I am willing to find out.”
Let us ask our guardian angel to tap us on the shoulder today and reveal one area of our faith where we can benefit from a refresher, and possibly a new perspective altogether.
In peace,
~Juan
