you're under arrest! (examining your Catholic life)

Seven years ago, a non-Catholic knocked on our door. Having just committed myself to God that time, I resolved to share the joys of my faith to her. She was glad to see that I'm taking my faith and the Bible seriously. Then, in the middle of our conversation, she asked, "But do you know that the Holy Spirit is not a God?" All I could answer her--without any decent proof at all--was that she was wrong.

I knew the truth of what I believed in, somewhat disappointed that she didn't get it, but sad that I couldn’t defend it. After that incident, I asked myself, how can I say I love my faith when I don't even know and love enough to defend what it's all about? Why didn't I even try to explain it decently?

knowledge not necessary... or is it?

I knew what was wrong... I didn't find learning or studying it exciting and necessary. I have an idea of its importance but I wouldn't get high marks for studying them, nor would I get any money. Maybe it's because we were so used of being Catholics that we thought there's no such thing as nominal Catholics, or that once we're baptized, there's no other thing to do or know. In other words, we're just Catholics because we were born Catholics. But have we ever "grown" as Catholics?

While it is how much we love or yield to God that determines if we go to heaven--and not how much we know--knowledge has a purpose. "Not on bread alone does man live, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God." How can we expect to go to heaven and spend the rest of our lives in bliss with Him when we don't even find joy in knowing Him?

It may be true that no Catholic will go unnourished. The Sunday Mass he attends nourishes him. Unfortunately, even most of those who attend the Mass are not even aware that they are receiving Christ when they receive the Holy Eucharist!

It is also true that an ignorant Catholic who doesn't even know the fundamentals of the faith may live a virtuous life. But with more knowledge of God and His Church, they will love Him more still--more than they already do! They will be nourished with more.

Reality speaks for itself. Most Catholics can't even explain, to those who are starving to know, how Jesus is God, or how His death saved us! Most don't even know what the Bible is all about. For some, serving Him is enough; knowing Him doesn't matter at all. One knows he loves God, isn't that enough? Why do we really have to know our faith to live it?

Frank Sheed tells us. Knowledge serves love. It removes misunderstandings that are in the way of love. Each new thing learned and meditated about God is a new reason for loving Him even more. How we live our life is more important than what we know, but what we know enables us to live our lives more in accordance to His will. As Pope John Paul II puts it, reason brings us to faith.

The Church doesn't command us to go deep into theological studies, but it definitely doesn't lack giving us encouragement to grow in our knowledge and understanding. Vatican II calls all Catholics--not just the priests and bishops, but even the laity--to fill the hunger of those who seek the Truth. How are we to provide when we ourselves have nothing or very little?

Do we really appreciate the treasures we have as Catholics? Do we lose sleep knowing we are in the fullness of Truth in the Catholic Faith and others are not? We call God our friend, our Father, but do we really exert effort to know Him more? Are we like pagans who believe in senseless things, or are we Catholics who seek authentic understanding of our faith in its fullness?

love demands that you give

So you know your faith, and continue to grow in understanding it deeper. Why share it? Because God said so!

St. Peter reminds us to “always be prepared to satisfy everyone that asks the reason for the hope that is in you” (1 Pet 3:15). If we believe that our Church is where the fullness of God’s Truth is, and God calls us to love our brethren, why hold ourselves from giving this light to those who are lost in the dark?

Other than ignorance of our faith, another major reason is an allergy or fear of arguments. Arguing with someone doesn’t seem to be charitable to many, yet we should remember that Jesus Himself gave more than a handful of fiery words to those who needed it. The key is to discuss in charity.

The other person may have other motivations, but it is important that you talk not to win the battle, but to give witness to God’s Love and His Truth. It’s easy to be arrogant when you know you’re right, but as St. Paul tells us, do everything in charity (1 Cor 16:14). The other person may get to your thickest skin, but be patient. After all, Jesus did tell us to love even our enemies!

the right time to engage is now!

In the early centuries, Christians died for their faith. In the 17th century, Catholics were persecuted for being Catholics. No, you're not necessarily under arrest, but nobody's asking you to be silent either.

Go ahead… let your love for God push you to learn, and tell the world about Him in your words and in your actions. Not doing so is like Peter denying Jesus three times (Jn 18:15-27). Doing so is like Peter winning about 3,000 for God (Acts 2:14-41). When Jesus asks what you have done to the lost sheep He sent your way, what would your response be?