Why do some Catholics make Jesus optional?

[ms_cilantro]

I have heard and read different Catholic sources which exhort Jews to be the best Jews they can be, Muslims be the best Muslims they can be and Catholics be the best Catholics they can be etc.
It almost seems like the authors, and speakers are making Jesus optional. I understand that God knows the heart of each individual and will decide for each of us who will or won’t be spending eternaty with Him.
I am wondering though if we as Catholics use that as an excuse not to share the Good News.
Any thoughts?
Ms. Cilantro

 

[Socrates]

I think the underlying idea in all that is that if those folks are truly trying to be the best [whatever] they can be, they will be honestly seeking God’s truth. Unless they are doing that, they will not be really prepared to receive the gospel. They must be open to God’s will for them to the extent that they are capable of understanding it before they can make steps toward the fullness of truth.

Exhorting Jews to be the best Jews they can be or Muslims to be the best Muslims they can be is not something that is to happen in a vacuum apart from Christ. It is understood that we are to preach the gospel always (and even use words when necessary).

A lot of people like to take that idea out of context to suggest that Catholicism is syncretistic though. Taking stuff out of context is a sure way to get the wrong idea.