Courageous Faith in a Tolerant World : 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time

 

Talking about faith takes courage, especially today when many people think tolerance means accepting every idea as equally true. But as Catholics, we’re meant to live with kindness, bravery, and honesty—always sharing what we believe, but with respect for others.

 

The Catholic Church teaches that real tolerance is about respecting every person, since everyone is made in God’s image. This means treating people with love, even if we disagree with them. But sometimes, society confuses tolerance with saying that every choice or belief is right. That’s not what Catholics believe. Jesus said, “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32). We’re called to live differently, focused on what’s true and right, even if we’re in the minority.

 

Standing up for what you believe isn’t always easy. Friends, family, or classmates might not agree with you. The saints show us by example that we should stay true to our faith, responding with patience and kindness even if others make fun of us or get upset. The Church keeps sharing Jesus’ message, knowing that doing the right thing can sometimes be hard.

 

Pope Benedict XVI once compared modern society to “cut flowers”—values like kindness and honesty look nice, but they’re not rooted in real faith anymore. As Catholics, we take our guidance from the Church, the Bible, and traditions, not just from what’s popular.

 

It’s easy to say, “Have courage!” but what does that mean? One idea, called the “2% Rule,” is that even a small group of people can make a big difference if they stick to their beliefs. The saints remind us that it doesn’t take a crowd to change the world—just a few people living for God.

 

In today’s world, even one person’s words can influence many others, especially through social media or public speaking. That’s why every Catholic is called to make a difference wherever they are.

 

Think about one of the readings for today taken from Genesis 18:20-32...Abraham praying for Sodom. He asked God to spare the city if there were just a few good people there. Catholics believe strongly in praying for others, both on our own and together, because prayer can help bring God’s mercy to the world. The Mass is the most powerful prayer, joining our hopes with Jesus’ sacrifice.

 

Abraham’s story shows that God listens to those who pray and is always ready to forgive. The Church teaches that no one is beyond God’s mercy, and our prayers matter, especially for people who need help or have made mistakes.

 

One big lesson here is that God is always fair, but also full of mercy. He knows about every hurt and every wrong, and wants people to turn back to Him. Jesus’ whole mission was to find and help lost or hurting people.

 

When we see people suffering, we should pray for them and try to help, just like Abraham. The Church reminds us that faith means nothing without action—loving God should lead us to help others.

 

God was willing to save Sodom for just ten good people, showing that even a small group of faithful people can make a huge difference. Every time someone tries to do what’s right, it matters to God.

 

Abraham’s prayer is the first time in the Bible someone prays for others. Catholics believe it’s really important to pray for people, living or dead, because our prayers can help bring about God’s plans. The saints and Mary also pray for us, making a kind of spiritual team.

 

Prayer doesn’t change God’s will, but it changes us. When we pray for others, we become more like Jesus, who prays for us all the time. Abraham’s example teaches us to be humble and trust God, even if our prayers aren’t answered the way we hope. We should always say, “Your will be done.”

 

This story shows that a few good people can protect and help many others. Catholics believe the prayers and sacrifices of those who follow Christ bring blessings to the world. Every baptized person is called to make a positive difference in their family, school, or community.

 

To help, we need to be present and involved in the world. The Church teaches that regular people, not just priests or nuns, are called to bring God’s love to everyday life—at home, school, or work.

 

The Church warns that we shouldn’t get caught up in politics and forget about sharing the Gospel. Our main job is to spread Jesus’ message and build God’s kingdom. When we speak up for what’s right, we should always be respectful and kind, trying to bring people together, not push them away.

 

When the world is confused about right and wrong, Catholics should stand up for the truth with love. Saints like St. Maximilian Kolbe, St. Teresa of Calcutta, and St. Oscar Romero spoke out for justice and protected the dignity of every person. Our hope is in Jesus—He’s the one who can truly change things.

 

In the end, our job isn’t to win every debate but to be faithful, trusting God will bring good results. When we pray and act with love, God uses us to make the world a better place—even if we’re just a small group of people. By God’s grace, we can help renew the world.

 

Let me share a few principles to help you in speaking out on moral issues:

 

1. Focus on issues, not personalities

2. Choose your battles carefully

3. Do it occasionally—not all the time

4. Keep a local focus first

5. Give others the right to disagree

 

I’m sure you’ve heard it said that “the main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing.” Therefore A) we focus on the gospel and B) we speak out on moral issues when necessary.

 

 

Our great need today lies in two areas:

 

1. Moral Courage

2. Commitment to Prayer

 

As Catholics, we are called to have the courage to share our faith and to stay committed to prayer. Both are important because doing the right thing isn’t always easy, and we need God’s help and the support of the saints to make a difference.

 

The Bible gives us hope: even if we feel small or unimportant, we can still help change the world by living as followers of Jesus. The Church teaches that a small group of people who are faithful can make a real difference.

 

But there’s also a challenge. Sometimes, it’s not the amount of bad things that matters, but whether there are good people trying to do what’s right. God was willing to save Sodom for just ten good people, showing that He cares about faithful people working for good. Even when things look bad, God wants to forgive and help people turn back to Him.

 

We should look at our schools, families, churches, and neighborhoods and ask: who is trying to live as a real follower of Jesus here? Who is praying and making sacrifices to help others and ask God for mercy?

 

The Catholic Church teaches that prayer is our most powerful tool. God listened to Abraham’s prayers for Sodom, not because of protests or arguments, but because Abraham kept talking to God. That means we should think about who in our lives needs our prayers the most—maybe our school, our family, or our friends.

 

We shouldn’t give up praying, even if we don’t see results right away. The saints show us that prayer can reach people who might not listen to us otherwise. Even if someone won’t talk to you, you can still pray for them, and that can make a difference. Mary, the mother of Jesus, and all the saints pray with us, too, as part of our spiritual team.

 

So, what is your “Sodom”—the place or group that needs God’s help the most in your life? Ask God to show you where your prayers and example are needed most. Go back to that place and be a light for others, trusting that God can use your prayers and actions, no matter how small, to help many people—even a whole community. -F.D.