Balance: Love the Sinner, Hate the Sin

I find that, as a Catholic, the hardest thing I struggle with is balance. It's hard finding a good balance between when I should pray and when I should play, when I should relax and when I should work, but most of all, I find balance is quite hard when it comes to sticking up for my faith.

Balance is quite important when it comes to the Catholic faith. First and foremost, Jesus tells us to "Love your neighbor as yourself." It's one of the two Great Commandments, and it's a requirement for Heaven. Yet Jesus also tells us to not fall into the ways of the world for we are suppose to live in the world, not of the world. We are not suppose to conform to what society deems as "normal" when it actually goes against the rules that God has laid out for us. But it's hard sticking up for your faith without seeming as if you're condemning someone or severely judging them for their actions.

So the question is, is it really possible to love someone while also speaking against what they do and the lifestyle that they live?

It really is possible, but it takes balance. I struggle with this so much because it requires a great deal of discipline, so much that I feel I will spend my entire life trying to perfect it.

One thing that has really helped me as I try to find this balance in my life is learning exactly what to judge. I read something once that said you can judge someone's actions, but you cannot judge their intentions. There is nothing wrong with making a conclusion about a situation or a lifestyle that someone chooses to follow. What you can't conclude, though, is that their intentions are evil.

We are not given the ability to read the hearts of others. That job is solely for God and God alone because only He knows the true intentions of each and every person on this earth. If you speak against something, speak against it with a gentle disposition. Speak against it because of how much you love God, not because you just want to tell someone what they're doing wrong. If that is too hard (and with our human nature, it definitely can be sometimes) choose to lead by your life example for this will show others more than words ever could.

In the words of St. Augustine, "Love the sinner, hate the sin."