On Being Reluctantly Catholic 

I have this practice of starting and ending my classes with a word of prayer. At the start of each academic year, I let my students know that this is how I prefer to do things. Thus, at the beginning of my classes, an open invite is made for any student who wishes to say a prayer in the blessing of the scheduled learning activities. Irrespective of who volunteers to pray for the scheduled class, no matter their faith and beliefs, I remain faithful to my Catholic traditions and begin with the sign of the Cross. I thank the Lord that so far, I have not had extreme reactions to this practice.

Nonetheless, my observation has been that in most cases, when it is a Christian student who volunteers for the class prayer, very rarely does it turn out to be a Catholic student. This is why I want to have a candid and intimate conversation about our reluctance in witnessing our Faith. It seems easy for many of us to join discussions about church issues and controversies surrounding the church, but not so much about the relationship we have with the Lord Jesus Christ. I do not intend to suggest that the best way to profess our faith is by making public prayers in a classroom; no, but I am asking that we be comfortable in practicing the Catholic tradition wherever we are – in private and in public.

Not So Much an In-Your-Face Evangelizer?

The reluctance to give the expression of our faith in the presence of others must be faced. It is not only in class prayer but also in how we behave when we are out somewhere – at a restaurant (do you have the courage to Sign for the grace?), praying the rosary at a public garden, or while walking/jogging (do you have the confidence to pull out your rosary beads and pray with them), at the gym (do you take off and quickly hide the scapular that you wear nicely hidden around your neck?), etc. Probably there is someone now wondering why we should not take the easier path to simply “live and let live”. Perhaps there is another who thinks it is socially discourteous and theologically improper to make a public display of the Catholic traditions. 

But how shall we go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation (cf. Mark 16:15 & Matthew 28:19-20) when we only practice the faith privately? When shall we acknowledge who we truly are, much less come to share what we have with our peers? How can we make the Catholic Faith attractive if we keep it hidden (cf. Matthew 5:15 & Luke 11:33)?

Granted, most of us have not grown up with so much of the in-your-face evangelization that advantage some of our fellow Christians seem to have. Worse still, many of us have continued living the faith without a clear knowledge of what it is we believe and what underlies that which we claim to believe. After all, we were baptized into the Church as infants and have since been known to attend Mass on Sunday as a family. This might be one of the many reasons (read this as excuses) why we feel inadequate to freely express our faith or to explain and/or defend our beliefs if we are challenged.

Cause a Rippling

We probably even justify our reluctance by reminding ourselves how anyway, one’s religion is a private matter that should be recognized as such. However, the Gospel does not let us off the hook so easily (cf. Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:15-16 & Luke 24:46-49). With our baptism, came our great commissioning.

The Lord Jesus makes it clear that the Church does not exist for its own sake. The Church has a mission, which is its purpose – the world shall not forget the Lord Jesus Christ! The Church must make every effort to make Him known, loved, and honoured at all times, in all situations. The Church must proclaim His teachings everywhere, and for eternity. The Church is you and I. We must take this commissioning very seriously and cause a ripple effect with the result that every day the Lord adds to our numbers those who are being saved (cf. Acts 2:47). And yes, we can!

Be an Authentic Witness

The first step to take is to live the Faith in convincing ways. People observing us should see how devoted we are to our families. Employers, fellow employees, and clients should perceive how conscientious we are in our jobs. Our communities should notice that we do not indulge in immoral practices of the present time. When we serve, we do so with a spirit of joy and peacefulness. Our friends and foes alike should remark on how we truly have changed (a good change).

We should come to know the Lord Jesus Christ and this must be the difference that happens in our lives. We must have a presence that makes the other person ask what then shall I do? (cf. Acts 3:10). Then we introduce this seeking person to the Catholic Community, and then to the catechumenate (RCIA). This one-to-one connection with the believing Christian is what will help many to find their way into the Faith.

The point is that we live our faith before we can talk about it. We must be people who love to pray; not for purposes of making litanies of requests, but to get into conversation with the Lord God. We pick up the Bible and study scripture to nourish our faith. We participate (not be in attendance) in the Sunday Eucharist and strive for (at least) a weekday Mass. We treat the people we meet with dignity and respect. We express generosity in sharing our time, talents, and resources with the less fortunate. We do not engage in negative speech, back-stabbing, or slander. We create positive and peaceful attitudes in our work and home environments. We practice a wordless witness of our life at all times.

This is a witness that raises questions in people’s minds. It is a witness that prompts others to wonder what motivates and inspires us. It is a witness that may move them to ask us what it is. It is a witness that we should now be ready to share as our faith. 

Be Naturally Inviting

People should sense that they can talk to us. Not that we have the answers that they are seeking; but that we can share their worries or concerns. This means that we must learn to listen well. Our responses should be empathetic and not judgemental. When we ask a question, it is to clarify the situation and not to search for details. The person should feel understood and accepted; this is what will start their healing process.

When we speak, we do it gently and respectfully (cf. 1 Peter 3:15-16). Sometimes it is best to simply share our own stories to encourage them. We do not need to give them a full prescription of Bible verses to prove that we believe. The experience of God’s presence in our lives – the helping hand, the healing touch, the encouraging word, the comforting embrace – these all came to us through some other person in one way or another. Yet, we were convinced that it was brought about by the Lord God. This is what we share with the one who comes to us. It does not have to be a spectacular event. Remember that the Lord is present in the gentlest of breezes (cf. 1 Kings 19:11-13).

Keep it Simple

Our approach should be simple and non-invasive. We do not argue and we do not boast. We are not showing off our theological prowess. We are not out to prove anything. We just want to share our experiences of God. This is why we do not do a lot of the talking. We stop to allow the other person to respond (hopefully not react) to what they hear. Should they decide to stop at this point, we do not insist. We must allow them to take time to think about what they have heard. We may promise to remember them in our prayers (and keep this promise) and invite them to come again to talk when they want to. We must keep that door open for their return. Should they ask a question that we cannot answer at the moment, we offer to find out for them from the right persons (cf. Romans 16:17-18 & 2 Peter 2:1) and revert. We ensure to plant a good seed and water it occasionally; but how it grows and is nurtured, we leave to the Lord God (cf. 1 Corinthians 3:6-9).

Move Beyond the Shyness

We must overcome this restraint bug that keeps us reluctantly Catholic. We are called into Mission, and we must be willing to risk some degree of discomfort to spread the good news. We seem to be looking for some flamboyant way of doing this; yet there are many simple, everyday things that we can use to share our faith. Many people are searching for some higher purpose, and we might just be the key that opens the door for them or the sign that points them in the right direction. And we do not have to go out looking for them. By our authentic witnessing, they will find us. But we must be willing and ready to be present when they do find us.

The Church might have encountered some negative exposure, but the Faith continues to appeal and fascinate many people. Some need their slumbering faith to be reawakened and we are their rousing fire. Someone needs to reconnect; we are their linking wires. When we sense that a person is hesitant to ask, we initiate the spiritual conversation sensitively. Our purpose is not to make converts of people; it is to let in more people. It is to open that door of sharing the positive effect that our faith has in our lives. It is to assure them that God’s love and His saving help are likewise available to them. We do it not to gain admiration from others, but because we are faithful stewards of a much-valued gift that has been entrusted to us by the Lord Jesus Christ. This gift of faith that we have received must be freely shared (cf. Matthew 10:8b).

Be Keen and Enthusiastic

If you are a reluctant catholic, you must search yourself. You must figure out what your issue is. The fact is that no one forces you to be Catholic. Even if you did not choose your baptism (because your parents lovingly chose it for you in your infancy), still you chose your confirmation. If you did not choose this either (because your parents again pushed you into it), still you choose Sunday Mass. If you go to Sunday Mass because it is your family tradition, then you are not an authentic Catholic. To be genuinely Catholic means to be in love with the Lord God.

The thing about love is that you may fall easily into it, but you must work extremely smart to stay in it. I say work smart because working hard is tiring, and tiredness affects our relationships negatively. We cannot be tired in our love relationship with God. This is why we choose the Sacraments. This is why we choose Scripture. This is why we call on Him in prayer and praise. This is why we choose to live in His Church. This is why we choose the Holy Mass. This is why we stay Catholic no matter how difficult or challenging working the smart way might be. This is why we choose to stop being reluctant and start being enthusiastic for our Faith.