We all can't be St. Jerome

St. Jerome - Credit: Carvaggio

Some folks ask me if I am worried about having a public blog, and if I am worried that someday my words will be used against me. As I said before: I hope they are used against me and I hope I am convicted of being Catholic!

Now that doesn't mean that I think everything I write is correct. Maybe at the time I do, but I have been going back and reading some things I wrote and I realize error, or haste, or bits and pieces that are less than charitable. I guess I could easily take those posts down, but that sort of defeats the purpose of this doesn't it? I can't really lie and say, "Oh I didn't say that, or I didn't mean that." It is one thing to say something once and change you mind, it is completely another to do the same but lie about the past to make yourself seem... better. That simply isn't who I am.

The faith is a difficult and long road that we all travel. I prefer to present myself with truth and honesty along that path, even if it is hard to stomach and shows the errors that I once made. I also think that the truth is a sharp sword, with the ability to cut he who wields it... worst. I try and keep that in mind when I post. I also know that I am semi-anonymous on this blog, but I have talked about that before. It isn't to protect me, it is to protect others - honestly. 

When St. Joan was put through her trial there are lots of things that she probably could have done differently to save herself, but that would be against the point wouldn't it? St. Jerome labored long to write what he did, often facing terrible adversity and discomfort - again, he could have done things differently but would he still be Saint Jerome? I guess what I am saying is that there is something about blogging that holds a person accountable, not only for what they say, but for what they believe. It also holds a record of their actions - their words in public are an action worthy of judgment. I submit my judgment to God, especially the missteps, mistakes, and sins. 

My goal is heaven, not popularity or fame. I need all the help I can get on the way to heaven, even if the only spiritual guidance comes in the form of blog posts, Tweets, and Facebook updates. Like I said, we all can't be Saint Jerome.

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