Hey, Jude! Where Do You Turn in Times of Trouble?

Summary

The author reflects on the nature of faith, the importance of human connections, and the value of self-discovery through understanding others.

Abstract

The article titled "Hey, Jude! Where Do You Turn in Times of Trouble?" delves into the author's personal struggle with faith and the search for solace in times of distress. While tradition dictates confession to a priest as a means of seeking forgiveness and comfort, the author ponders the effectiveness of this practice versus confiding in any understanding individual. The piece explores the author's lifelong tendency to question beliefs, including the Catholic doctrine's stance on placing absolute faith in God rather than in people or oneself. The author admits to relying on human connections, self-reliance, and even the wonders of science, going as far as to entertain the possibility of mermaids' existence due to the vast unexplored ocean. A pivotal moment occurs when the author interprets a fortune cookie message for a friend, emphasizing the importance of learning about others to understand oneself, which is central to the author's worldview.

Opinions

The author questions the traditional Catholic practice of confession and whether it is necessary to feel better.
There is a belief that faith should not be solely invested in God but also in people, oneself, and other aspects of life like science.
The author values open-mindedness, as evidenced by their belief in mermaids after watching a documentary, highlighting the unknown potential of the unexplored ocean.
Human connections and friendships are considered essential for personal growth and self-discovery.
The author suggests that understanding others is a crucial step in discovering one's own identity.
The article conveys that extending a hand to others in times of need is a fundamental aspect of human interaction and friendship.

To John and Paul?

“Bless me, Father, for I have sinned…” I began as I did many times before. Did confessing my sins to a priest help me feel better because he was an extension of God, or would I have felt the same if I confessed to anyone? I don’t know.

So, where do I turn in times of trouble? It depends.

Since childhood, I questioned everything and faith was no stranger to my interrogations. Nevertheless, priests and fellow Christians explained that although questioning our faith was normal, we shouldn’t believe in people. Instead, we should put all of our belief in God.

I’m not supposed to believe in people, but I do. I’m not supposed to believe in myself, but I do. I’m not supposed to believe in anything other than God, but I do.

Does this make me a bad Catholic?

The truth is, I depend on people, I depend on myself, and I depend on things like science.

In fact, my mind is so open that I believe in many things and you might laugh at this one — I believed in mermaids after watching a Discovery Channel program that aired late one night many years ago. Hey! Why not? The last I heard, only 10% of the ocean had been explored, so isn’t it possible that even a megalodon shark was lurking somewhere deep in the ocean?

For me, it feels natural to connect with people, to our world, and to depend on one another. I believe that our connections with people and our world are what helps to define us.

A few weeks ago, a friend shared with me her fortune from a cookie:

“In order to discover who you are, first, learn who everybody else is. You’re what’s left.”

My friend felt upset and offended. To her, it meant that other people defined who she was, and she was the leftover.

I replied:

“It means that in order to find yourself, you must first learn about others to discover who you are not. Only after you’ve done this, will you find yourself at the end of your journey.”

My interpretation, although imperfect, made her feel better and to me, that’s what connections — what friendships, are all about.

So, the next time someone reaches out, extend your hand, and connect.