Anti-Catholicism and Apologetics: What do we do?

Ever been to one of those youth group meetings at the local (insert favourite denomination here) church? Or, have you ever been on-line and went to one of those 'Christian' apologetics websites, where you were the only Catholic? If you've been in that position, then you definitely know how it feels when someone starts throwing out the usual "the RCC (or Roman Catholyc Church, some evil entity somehow forged from misconceptions of the Catholic Church) teaches a false gospel/worships Mary/(insert favourite misconception here)". You can often feel overwhelmed. You want to help correct them and their views, but they just seem so stuck in their heads that you just give up.

Dear reader, have hope. We have two options. The first, which I consider a last resort, is to "shake the dust from your sandals" and move on." This is what you can do when you have no other way to reach them, and you're at your wit's end, where you fear that your very faith would be shaken by spending any more time in such an environment. By all means, shake the dust. It better for you to save your own soul, and trust that you've done all you can, and to leave it in the Lord's hands than to waste any more time in such a place.

Now, there is a second option. Take a break, 'reset', and begin anew. We must always "re-stock", as it were. To learn from our mistakes, to learn more about the faith, and apologetics. But the most important reason why you should do this, is to focus on the most important reason you're trying to be an apologist in the first place: your relationship with Christ. We're called to have a deep, strong relationship with our Lord, and with our family (the Church, with all of her Saints). Sometimes we can get so focused on apologetics, working on arguments, etc., that we put devotion to Jesus on the back-burner. As G.K. Chesterton said, "Let your religion be less of a theory and be more of a love affair." We're called to love God with everything, our bodies, our minds, our hearts and our spirits. So, let us take the time to reset ourselves. To remember why we've come to this battlefield of apologetics: our love of Christ. For the Catholic Apologist, let three verses of Scripture be branded upon your hearts:

  "And he said to him, 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it, You shall love your neighbour as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the law and the prophets.'" (Matthew 22:37-39)

"...but in your hearts reverence Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to make a defense to any one who calls you to account for the hope that is in you, yet do it with gentleness and reverence;" (1 Peter 3:15) 

 "Strive even to death for the truth and the Lord God will fight for you." (Sirach 4:28)

 Let these verses always be kept close to your heart. For this is what we are to build upon all of our works: Christ. Let us defend the faith and the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church which Christ built, with love and zealousness, with complete trust in the Lord, and with sound preparation.

Dominus Vobiscum!