Christians are indistinguishable from other men either by nationality, language or customs. They do not inhabit separate cities of their own, or speak a strange dialect, or follow some outlandish way of life. Their teaching is not based upon reveries inspired by the curiosity of men. Unlike some other people, they champion no purely human doctrine. With regard to dress, food and manner of life in general, they follow the customs of whatever city they happen to be living in, whether it is Greek or foreign.
And yet there is something extraordinary about their lives. They live in their own countries as though they were only passing through. They play their full role as citizens, but labor under all the disabilities of aliens. Any country can be their homeland, but for them their homeland, wherever it may be, is a foreign country. Like others, they marry and have children, but they do not expose them. They share their meals, but not their wives.
They live in the flesh, but they are not governed by the desires of the flesh. They pass their days upon earth, but they are citizens of heaven. Obedient to the laws, they yet live on a level that transcends the law. Christians love all men, but all men persecute them. Condemned because they are not understood, they are put to death, but raised to life again. They live in poverty, but enrich many; they are totally destitute, but possess an abundance of everything. They suffer dishonor, but that is their glory. They are defamed, but vindicated. A blessing is their answer to abuse, deference their response to insult. For the good they do they receive the punishment of malefactors, but even then they, rejoice, as though receiving the gift of life. They are attacked by the Jews as aliens, they are persecuted by the Greeks, yet no one can explain the reason for this hatred.
To speak in general terms, we may say that the Christian is to the world what the soul is to the body. As the soul is present in every part of the body, while remaining distinct from it, so Christians are found in all the cities of the world, but cannot be identified with the world. As the visible body contains the invisible soul, so Christians are seen living in the world, but their religious life remains unseen. The body hates the soul and wars against it, not because of any injury the soul has done it, but because of the restriction the soul places on its pleasures. Similarly, the world hates the Christians, not because they have done it any wrong, but because they are opposed to its enjoyments.
Christians love those who hate them just as the soul loves the body and all its members despite the body's hatred. It is by the soul, enclosed within the body, that the body is held together, and similarly, it is by the Christians, detained in the world as in a prison, that the world is held together. The soul, though immortal, has a mortal dwelling place; and Christians also live for a time amidst perishable things, while awaiting the freedom from change and decay that will be theirs in heaven. As the soul benefits from the deprivation of food and drink, so Christians flourish under persecution. Such is the Christian’s lofty and divinely appointed function, from which he is not permitted to excuse himself
From: Liturgy of the Hours, Second reading of Wednesday 5th week of Easter, From a letter to Diognetus (Nn. 5-6, Funk, 397-401)
Why I don't like “The Da Vinci Code” is simple. I am a son of Mother Church and to see her attacked is a direct attack against me and all of her children. If a lie was written about your biological mother, I am sure that you would stop at nothing to expose the lies and to make sure that it never happens again.
The book offends me. It should offend every Christian in the world. I do not accept any argument that says I should let it go because it is simply a novel. (There ware plenty of these “novels” in Hitler times spreading lies about the Jews too). The fact that it is a novel does not change the fact that lies, horrific lies, are being spread about my religion. The Roman Catholic Church is portrayed as an evil, power-hungry organization which does nothing but lie to the world.
If a book of similar style has been written about another religion and its founder, I am 100% convinced that there would be an outcry of outrage against it. Because it is written about Catholics, there is no outcry. In fact the opposite is the result. This hate spreading novel is encouraged and is given further opportunities to spread lies.
What makes me most sad about this book is that there are so many people that take the idiotic arguments that Dan Brown puts forward and believe them, who think they now know the truth, and that the book enriched them.
It hurts me to see people that make judgments about whole groups of people, like the people belonging to the Opus Dei order, based on this book. This is not just my imagination. If you ask an average person their opinion about Opus Dei, it will not be positive. It will be twisted and perverted by what they think is the truth, what Dan Brown told them. I admire Opus Dei for the work they do living the Christian life.
This book, because of its huge success, has become more than a novel. If only one person has lost their faith because of it, it is a tragedy. I see it everywhere – on the bus daily, in the hands of Catholics and other Christians. I cannot in clear conscience remain silent when my Mother is being attacked.
Resources
Jesus DecodedVatican Cardinal Arinze speaks out against "The Da Vinci Code"
The Da Vinci Code: The facts behind the fiction
Today Julia had her ultrasound. And yes it is time to show new pictures! This is Natasha. My wittle girl. (Or is it?! According to the ultrasound technician it is!). At this time she is about 25 cm long and 360 grams. So far she is quiet. No major movement in mama's stomach. Mama is starting to walk like a penguin. It is very cute and at times funny. She keeps walking into me or other objects. I'm really enjoying this pregnancy! More soon!