**when i see Catholic celebrities bragging about their big families and how devout their kids are I feel very angry. Many people cant have children or as many as they like or find a good mate or mourn their children’s lack of faith . I feel like such bragging is insensitive to others in our Catholic family Humility is what Christ asks Any thoughts? **
Are we talking about celebrities who are Catholic (Mel Gibson, Mark Wahlberg, Kevin James, etc.) or are we talking about Catholic influencers (Matt Fradd, Dr. Taylor Marshall, Chris Stefanick, etc.)?
This idea of our celebrating our Blessings as being “insensitive to others” is a premise that I reject. The reason I would caution individuals of regulating their speech or actions based on what others are offended by is because it can lead to promoting things that are not good for them.
A great example of this is “Merry Christmas.” Why does it now seem forced or weird when someone now says “Merry Christmas.” It’s almost like someone told us we were not allowed to say it (because they did). They told us that it was insensitive to those who do not celebrate Christmas or who do not believe in God all together. Then it became a political rally cry. And now we have to question if someone is actually willing the good of another or trying to make a political point. The haters have won by the fact that they have gotten many of us to wince when we hear someone say “Merry Christmas.”
This idea of being insensitive comes up a lot when we are talking about celebrating the birth of a child. There are people who are unable to have children. Should we no longer celebrate the joy that a baby brings, because others feel bad about their own situation (which is also kind of self-centered if you think about it)?
If someone lands a good-paying job, are we not to be happy for them, because there are people who can’t find work?
I could give many examples, but my point is that being happy for others does not take away from the hardship of another. This is a concept that is plaguing our society. It is called equity, a concept that you cannot be happy for someone, because there is someone else who is less than.
My brother who is now woke is incapable of counting his blessings, because there are others worse off. If you knew my brother before joining the cult of wokeness, he was a happy go lucky guy. He is now not only incapable of being happy for good things in his life, he now identifies as a victim himself, because it makes him feel more equal with others who might feel offended. What this does it only brings everyone down to misery.
The flip-side of this is the Health and Wellness Gospel, which I also caution we not fall into. This is also a form of mental enslavement. God blessed me, because I am special. Or worse, this is happening to me, because I am not holy enough (which could be a result of bad choices, but not likely because God doesn’t love them).
I don’t know which celebrities you are referring to, but my guess is that they are celebrating their Blessings and hopefully God is glorified (not themselves) by their acknowledging how great God is. Not because they are any more special than anyone else, but because God is good.
Another point I would make is that just because someone talks about the joy in their life, does not mean they are not struggling or have not had hardships. I used to think this Catholic family who moved into town were the perfect family. I had a great childhood (not a perfect childhood) and what I later found out was that no family is perfect. The Wife cheated on her Husband (who was a really good and funny guy), the oldest daughter (very pretty) got pregnant in High School, their son went into the Military and developed an addiction to alcohol and has since been in and out of jail. The youngest is now living with her long-term boyfriend and if I had to guess will never have children (but, I believe in God’s grace in each of their lives).
Bishop Barron has said many times the “Love is willing the good of another.” Equity is envious of others and desires to bring them down. And the health & wellness gospel is pride-filled. Both are are centered around this idea of feeling or being treated as “special.”
The Gospel is this, I am a sinner. I cannot do anything good on my own. I am thankful for the graces and the blessings in my life. I Pray that my life in Christ and Christ in me (which is holiness) inspires others and lifts them up in joy and in hope, especially when they might not be feeling it. And as St. John leaped in his mother’s womb, let us leap with joy at the presence of our Lord in the lives of others and will the good of others.