A friend said to me the other day, "That just seems like the typical Catholic - he talks about his faith so much until it actually matters."

"Typical."

This friend had correctly diagnosed this person- who crosses himself, talks about prayer, faith and fidelidy; all while leading a very immoral life, and breaking every moral standard he so proudly proclaims that others should be living by.

I have to admit, there was once a time, a few months ago, I was eating lunch in the same room as a person like this, and when he crossed himself before he ate it made me feel sick. I thought to myself, "I can't stand Christians."

As someone who tries to follow Jesus, I understand that's a silly thing to think. But that's what I thought, for a good 30 seconds or so. I was getting really ticked off at how Christians flaunt their faith and act more immoral than most people.

This was a big step for me. I've always thought it silly that someone would write-off Jesus because of one bad experience they had, or one significant hypocrite in their lives. But it's amazing when someone so tarnishes the reputation of a belief system, how much that sticks with you.

I now understand why people who gets cut-off on the highway by someone with a fish on their car may not be able "to stand Christians."

So I think about myself, and what people must think that typical followers of Jesus are like after watching me.

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