Today, I’m continuing with Session III of the LawnChair Catechism at Catholicmom.com
Here’s the Background Summary:
In her extensive research, Sherry Weddell learned that most Catholics consider their relationship with God a forbidden topic – too private to discuss with others. What we don’t hear about, we don’t know is possible:
One of our most surprising discoveries has been how many Catholics don’t even know that this personal, interior journey exists. A high-level, cradle-Catholic leader on the West Coast acknowledged to me recently that the very idea of a personal relationship with God was still new to him. The possibility had only dawned upon him for the first time a few years ago, when his parish started offering evangelizing retreats.
Our idea of “normal” Christian life is skewed. We consider an interest in the spiritual life to be an exception, and not the norm. To combat this mistake, the first Catholic discipleship group Sherry belonged to wrote a series of resolutions as part of their mission statement (here are a few excerpts from their longer list):
. . . It is NORMAL for lay Catholics to be excited Christian activists.
. . . It is NORMAL for lay Catholics to be knowledgeable of their faith, the Scriptures, the doctrinal and moral teachings of the Church, and the history of the Church.
. . . It is NORMAL for lay Catholics to have fellowship of other committed lay Catholics available to them, to encourage, nurture, and discern as they attempt to follow Jesus.
. . . It is NORMAL for the local parish to function consciously as a house for formation for lay Catholics . . ..
For discussion:
In your own faith:
- Are you comfortable talking with others about your relationship with God?
- Would you say that you’re a “normal” Catholic using the criteria outlined above?
- Or are you a “typical” Catholic, fighting that feeling that interest in the faith is only for a few pious eccentrics?
In your parish:
- Do you personally have, within your parish, a group of Catholics you meet with regularly, to discuss the faith, study the faith, and encourage each other to greater virtue?
- At this time, does your parish have in place a working system for actively mentoring those who want to grow in their relationship with God
Here’s My response:
The very necessity of having to create a mission statement to remind people that knowing, loving, and sharing their faith is normal is indicative of the stigma associated with being “too religious” in our society. Generally speaking, society seems to suggest that normal is only that which is comfortable. If anyone attempts to discuss topics that rattle someone’s emotions or cause him to question himself, it seems that they are automatically considered strange or simply discredited as some kind of zealot. And in my local Southern community of Mountain Brook, Alabama (a beautiful place with generally kind and well-mannered church goers) it feels as though anyone who attempts to break a similar standard of normal is even viewed as impolite. Thus, unprompted faith discussions are not part of our normal.
Still, I believe the bulk of people in my community fall into one of three categories even if they aren’t always talking about it: proud Catholics (this is me), proud Protestants, or Nada-Seekers. The first two groups love their faith and will share it when others ask, and the third group (which may or may not be affiliated with a faith) could not care less. The main problem with my age group (30-45) then is not so much that they don’t love their respective faiths or are unwilling to share it, it is that they—we—hesitate to live it fully. We struggle to find the normal standard for service.
As I said, we live it comfortably. We live it in a way that seems normal. The effect, though, is that most of us actually live a glossed-over Christianity, one that affirms us right where we are rather than challenges us to go deeper. Helping others is fine and expected but only so long as it doesn’t interfere with the family vacation or other daily plans. Sure, every so often someone comes around who makes a truly radical choice—like moving his entire family to Africa for mission work—and that person is respected and makes decent dinner conversation, but that is the end of the story. He is viewed as the special circumstance, not the norm. And not certainly someone whose choices we should dare follow
It seems like it should be normal to want to live and love the way God does, to love radically. If we are made in His image, shouldn’t it be considered the most normal thing in the world to want to celebrate that and share it with others at every turn? Isn’t the polite and properly-mannered behavior that which is aligned with God’s glory? But somehow the answer isn’t always so clear.
Those of us who are passionate about our faith and feel the urge to be more in Christ often sit on the sidelines stirring restlessly, trying to figure out what road to follow. Do we make radical choices with the intention of at least planting a seed for others? Do we stick with the mainstream and try to serve God in smaller, subtle ways and hope to make a difference this way? Do we maintain social etiquette, pray, and offer a quiet witness to those around us, OR do we take the gospel by the horns and rattle people—and risk being seen as an uncouth outsider.
It seems like the answer should always be to go with God radically, but does it always make sense? Isn’t there a biblical expectation to meet people where they are spiritually? If we turn them off, what service are we providing? If everyone is making radical choices, who would be the local bank teller? Sometimes I don’t trust myself to know the right answer, to understand exactly how normal plays itself out in one’s life. And this is when I know I realize I need evangelizing as much as anyone and that sometimes normal isn’t always a one-size fits all.
Fortunately, I do receive spiritual direction from one of three sources that help me find my own normal: the Catholic school where I teach, my parish, and my friends in Christ. Even as a person of faith, I realize I need a constant connection to those who serve God to lead me and direct me. My Catholic school is filled with people who serve God in a variety of ways, and they serve as role models to me on a daily basis. My parish reaches out to the different age groups with classes on our faith too, and I’ve found some direction here as well that suggests the presently my quiet witness can have a greater impact in the long term. And my friends, my true friends, give me insight and ideas on my faith formation.
The bottom line for me, though, is that I am normal according to Weddell’s new definition, but I could be more when it comes to living it fully. Normal acts of service should also include loving God and doing what He wants—whatever that is. Yes, we ought to steer away from the lukewarm Christianity and strive more towards letting go of our own desires so God can lead, but that journey can take us down a radical path or simply down the street.
What are your thoughts?
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