It’s Pride Month here in the U.S. You already know this because it’s become widely promoted in public libraries, at your local Target store, online through rainbow corporate logos and through “drag queen story hours” that you may read about online.
Many Catholics are left without much guidance from the Church on this matter. Is Pride Month a good thing? Is the rainbow, for thousands of years a Biblical image, now a co-opted symbol for a political lobby?
These questions and more are left unanswered.
In 40+ years, I can count on one hand the number of times I have heard a homily reference homosexuality. I see this as a missed opportunity- helping Catholics form a healthy, holy anthropology of the human person is vitally important. Our uncertain response to Pride Month is evidence of this.
God doesn’t love the “gay lobby” just as he doesn’t love the NRA, libertarians, “traditionalists”, pet owners or suburbia. He loves people, individuals made in His image and likeness. He is passionate about every human being on our planet.
A lobby pushes binder tops at Target and cross-dressed adults who read to children. God sees through this in order to call each individual person to Himself, for a path to holiness that requires a generous response and promises an eternal reward.
We ought to steer clear of snark-filled arrogance.
If you’re bothered by the many letters that often accompany Pride Month (i.e. LGBTQ), I get it. What’s not helpful is to add even more letters when you talk about Pride Month in a teasing fashion, drenched in sarcasm.
Why? If for no other reason, there is likely a person in your network who wrestles with their sexuality. For that man or woman, choose the path of prudence and discretion with your words.
Two resources that can help in forming a humble response to Pride Month include:
Many Catholics are left without much guidance from the Church on this matter. Is Pride Month a good thing? Is the rainbow, for thousands of years a Biblical image, now a co-opted symbol for a political lobby?
These questions and more are left unanswered.
In 40+ years, I can count on one hand the number of times I have heard a homily reference homosexuality. I see this as a missed opportunity- helping Catholics form a healthy, holy anthropology of the human person is vitally important. Our uncertain response to Pride Month is evidence of this.
God doesn’t love the “gay lobby” just as he doesn’t love the NRA, libertarians, “traditionalists”, pet owners or suburbia. He loves people, individuals made in His image and likeness. He is passionate about every human being on our planet.
A lobby pushes binder tops at Target and cross-dressed adults who read to children. God sees through this in order to call each individual person to Himself, for a path to holiness that requires a generous response and promises an eternal reward.
We ought to steer clear of snark-filled arrogance.
If you’re bothered by the many letters that often accompany Pride Month (i.e. LGBTQ), I get it. What’s not helpful is to add even more letters when you talk about Pride Month in a teasing fashion, drenched in sarcasm.
Why? If for no other reason, there is likely a person in your network who wrestles with their sexuality. For that man or woman, choose the path of prudence and discretion with your words.
Two resources that can help in forming a humble response to Pride Month include:
- What Does the Church Teach about Gender Identity? (OSV News)
- Finding Common Inheritance with the LGBTQ Community (Eden Invitation)
God loves each person with all of His heart. We ought to as well, gently pushing through slogans, marketing and lobbies.
One final thought. A friend asked for my advice on accompanying a gay couple within her community. She wanted to invite them over to her house in order to “set the record straight on the Church’s teaching”. That’s not accompaniment as I see it and not likely the thing needed by the couple at this time.
My response was as heartfelt and honest as I could muster, “Invite them over if you have a desire to know them, love them and walk with them, if possible, for many months and years. But do not invite them over simply to explain Church teaching to them.”
I’d love to hear your thoughts on Pride Month and how the Church can respond in love.