Chapter 2 - Journey to Christendom (Third Edition)
Reason is Love, and Love is the Reason
St. Joan of Arc is the conduit for my fearless spirit and love for God.
St. Joan of Arc, pray for us.
I have a deeply personal journey I want to share with you. It’s about the burning Catholic Dogma that lives in my soul and how it became a part of me. I do not intend to argue or engage in power struggles. Too often, such debates feel like clumsy fencing matches, each side aiming to score points rather than genuinely connect. Instead, my story is one of love—love for God and love for humanity, a universal love rooted in my faith.
You might wonder how Dogma and love can coexist. Isn’t Dogma often seen as rigid, even intolerant, while love is open and accepting? I, too, grappled with this seeming contradiction. Yet, in my experience, God’s truth and love are not only compatible but intertwined. It’s like St. Joan of Arc on the battlefield, comforting a dying enemy soldier—her actions were driven by a profound love rooted in her faith.
When I think of Jesus, I recall how he taught us to love our enemies, even as he said he came not to bring peace but a sword. He cleared the Temple of money changers with force, yet loved those very people enough to die for them. This paradox isn’t just theoretical for me; it’s a lived reality. Jesus Christ, alive and active in my life, guides me with both unwavering truth and boundless love.
Reflecting on my journey, I see how this understanding has grown within me. Jesus Christ isn’t a distant figure or a mere concept. He is a living presence, one who loves deeply and desires the best for us. This realization has shaped my worldview and actions, infusing my life with a sense of purpose and love that transcends mere dogmatic adherence.
In my own moments of doubt and struggle, I’ve found strength in the stories of saints like Joan of Arc, whose love for Jesus and Mary fueled her courage in battle and compassion for her enemies. These stories aren’t just historical anecdotes; they resonate deeply with my own experiences of faith and love.
I’ve encountered many who view Jesus through a modern lens as a philosophical figure or an enlightened spirit. But for me, Jesus is much more. His resurrection is a tangible truth, a foundation for my belief and actions. This isn’t about abstract theology or subjective consciousness; it’s about a relationship with a living, loving God who calls me to both hold firm to my faith and act with love.
This journey hasn’t been easy. Dogmatism without love is off-putting and often pushes people away from religion. But genuine faith, driven by love, has the power to attract and transform. It’s a balance of holding true to my beliefs while embracing others with compassion.
The living Christ, who still speaks today as he did two thousand years ago, forms the basis of my Dogma. He doesn’t change, and this constancy provides a foundation for my faith. For instance, he teaches that there is right and wrong, and as God, he defines these truths. This understanding shapes my actions and interactions with the world.
I recall the historical context of Joan of Arc’s mission during the Hundred Years War, driven by her voices telling her to liberate France. Jesus’ love for all people, including the English she fought against, illustrates the complex interplay of love and Dogma. His will for us as individuals and communities often challenges our human inclinations but always has its roots in a deeper love.
This critical point in my reflection brings me to the understanding that the battle for God’s kingdom, both personal and communal, finds its foundation in love. It’s not about religious triumphalism, but about embodying the love of Christ in all aspects of life. This spiritual warfare is as much about internal transformation as it is about external actions.
Reflecting on my experiences, I see how Dogma, when infused with love, guides my life. It’s not about rigid adherence to rules, but about living out the love and truth of Christ in every situation. This love-driven Dogma is what I strive to embody, even when it leads to difficult or unpopular stances.
In our modern world, where relativism and individualism often prevail, proclaiming Christ as the universal moral authority can seem contentious. Yet, my lived experience tells me that this truth, grounded in love, offers genuine freedom and fulfillment. It’s a message that challenges but ultimately enriches.
So, I write this not to impose my beliefs, but to share the transformative power of a love-driven faith. It’s a journey that continually deepens my relationship with God and shapes how I engage with the world. This faith isn’t static; it’s a dynamic, living reality that calls me to love more fully and live more authentically.
My journey with Catholic Dogma and love isn’t about intellectual victory but about living a faith that is both true and loving. It’s a call to embrace the paradox of Dogma and love, finding in it a path to deeper connection with God and with others. Through this lens, I see my faith not as a set of rigid rules but as a living, loving relationship with the resurrected Christ, who continually calls me to love more deeply and live more fully.