Part of being a Christian is wondering about Jesus, asking questions about Him, probing the mysteries of the Incarnation and Trinity, and trying to figure out the meaning of some of His words. We asked 13 Catholics in the Albany Diocese: "What words or actions of Jesus confuse you the most, and how do you deal with that confusion." Their answers follow.
ANGEL LUIS GARCIA, St. Patrick's, Albany: "When He goes in the temple and becomes very angry. I look at Him as a man of love. I deal with that with prayers."
MARY LOU OPALKA, St. Pius X, Loudonville: "Some of the parables are confusing. Listening to or reading other people's interpretations help to get other perspectives."
ALICE LACHAPELLE, St. James, Albany: "Jesus is told that His 'brothers and sisters are outside.' That forces one to rethink the possibility that Jesus had an extended family. How significant is this for us as Catholics?"
SALLY ALLEN, Our Lady of Victory, Troy: "'Render unto Caesar....' In terms of present-day unjust taxes, waste and political corruption, I have difficulty dealing with this. I try to cope by writing letters, speaking against injustice and being part of a group that argue against injustice."
KAREN SNYDER, principal, Our Lady of Victory School, Troy: "Jesus' words about 'dropping everything and following me' sometimes confuse me. My mind is often in conflict with that request."
KIM MANELL, St. Joseph/St. John, Rensselaer: "How can it be that we are always forgiven for our sins when some people are damned to hell after death? I wonder."
RAMONA ZIMMERMAN, Sacred Heart, Troy: "'Anything you ask will be done unto you.' God tells us He hears us and will answer us, but sometimes you feel your prayers have fallen on deaf ears. Perhaps He doesn't answer them according to what we think is best but according to what God thinks is best."
DIANA CALL, St. Brigid's Regional Catholic School, Watervliet: "Jesus' message of forgiveness is difficult to convey to children today. It is important to teach how to forgive and forget. Showing mercy is the message we need to model."
PAT ELDRIDGE, St. Brigid's Regional Catholic School, Watervliet: "Jesus told a man to give up all his possessions and follow Him. In today's world, giving up everything might put us in the position of neglecting those in our care."
ALTA JERRELD, Holy Cross, Albany: "Why didn't Jesus explain in greater depth to His disciples what it meant to Him to be the Son of God and the Son of Man?"
MICHELLE DEVINE, Holy Cross, Albany: "I was taught the words addressed to Peter ('Whatever you loose on earth...') had to do with defining what constituted sin and whether it would be forgiven and God would stand behind man (pope, priests, bishops) on that. This run contrary to my belief that God forgives and knows our hearts re our sinfulness."
ART FOWLER, St. James, Albany: "I don't experience much confusion about Jesus' words or actions. I'm more concerned with what people do in Jesus' name. I try to avoid being judgmental and look for Jesus in what others do or say."
KATIE CLARK, Sacred Heart/St. Francis de Sales, Bennington, Vermont: "I'm never confused about His teachings. My life on earth can be confusing, but when I look to Jesus for guidance and faith, I always find what I need."