For those who have not seen or heard of this video by Jeff Bethke, this video as of Friday had over 15 million views and has sparked quite a debate.

I believe Scott Miller on Catholic Youth Ministry blog had an incredible response to his video.  Scott also shares two videos that attempt to capture the Catholic response.

While there are things I agree with in Jeff’s video, I keep returning to the two things I appreciate and love most about my Catholic faith:  our understanding of community and our belief in sacramentality.

I learn about Christ by being in relationship with others and by experiencing Christ’s love through being loved by another.  I learn about Christ by understanding that we, gathered, are the Body of Christ. 

I learn about Christ by understanding that it is not just about the fact that Jesus came and that he will come again, but that Jesus is alive and present in our lives now.  I understand this through not only the Catholic Church’s seven sacraments, but through the millions of sacramental moments in my life.  I know what sacramental moments are because my religion, and the people who profess it, have taught me how to pray.  I know about Christ because of the legacy St. Igantius left this world in his gift of the Spiritual Exercises. 

So, while yes, I love Jesus, I do love my Catholic faith also! 

Very interested to hear your response to the video! 

Becky Eldredge

Becky is an Ignatian-trained spiritual director, retreat facilitator, and writer. She is the author of the Busy Lives and Restless Souls (March 2017, Loyola Press) and The Inner Chapel (April 2020, Loyola Press). She helps others create space to connect faith and everyday life through facilitating retreats and days of reflection, through writing, and through spiritual direction. With nearly twenty years of ministry experience within the Catholic Church, Becky seeks to help others discover God at work in the every day moments of people’s lives by utilizing St. Ignatius’ Spiritual Exercises and the many gifts that our Catholic faith and Ignatian Spirituality provide.