Life Ways

Life Ways

Catholic Faith:
Gift to be Savored, Gift to be Shared
by Sr. Donna William Giaimo, fsp

Have you been saved?

I love the story told by Father Benedict Groeschel, psychologist, author and lecturer on the spiritual life, of how he was approached one day by a well-intentioned evangelical missionary. Introductions were apparently unnecessary. So, too, were preliminary conversational remarks such as "Good morning" or "How do you do?" The woman simply stopped him on the street and asked: "Have you been saved?"

"Have I been saved?" the robed Franciscan echoed in momentary astonishment. Then, after pausing to glance at his watch, he respectfully replied: "Yes, I was saved at 3:00 in the afternoon, about 2000 years ago."

Many of us have probably found ourselves in similar predicaments. And in today’s ecumenical climate, such occurrences can serve as pleasant exchanges of faith. More than likely, our reaction to such encounters varies according to the aggressiveness of the one doing the "proselytizing." Yet, even if we find ourselves becoming frustrated by what seems to be religious badgering, the person’s obvious sincerity often forces our grudging admission: "That fellow certainly isn’t afraid to witness to his belief!"

And the question always rebounds: How do I witness my own faith?

Catholics have traditionally been regarded as a bit more reserved, hesitant to share their religious convictions. The reluctance may stem from a variety of reasons. We’ve all heard expressions such as: "Sunday Catholics," "nominal Catholics" and "closet Catholics." Have you ever stopped to consider whether you yourself might occasionally fall under one of these headings...or might be leaning in the general direction thereof? Whether there really would be enough evidence to convict you if, as the famous expression goes, you were accused of being a Christian (let alone a Catholic)?

We live as individuals within a disoriented, fragmented society; as a nation, we’ve witnessed a large-scale shake-up of cultural values and ideals, traditions and standards. For some persons the tendency is to lead neat, compartmentalized lives, to look upon one’s religious commitment as distinct or separate from one’s parenting role, one’s place within society or in the work force, one’s private habits. Such persons are content to give God only "that which is required." Religion is simply one duty among others to accomplish, an obligation to meet, a task to fulfill. ("Once Sunday Mass attendance is done, I don’t have to worry about religion for another seven whole days.")

We know, of course, that religion doesn’t "work" like that. For a person of real faith-commitment, there is no dichotomy between one’s "personal life" and one’s life of faith. Catholicism is not an outer garment that can be donned or discarded at one’s convenience. Faith must become something vibrant and integral, something life-giving and nurturing, something that reaches beyond one hour a week to embrace a person’s whole being.

When faith is really lived, a person doesn’t concentrate so much on the sense of obligation as on the awesome (in the original sense of the word) privilege to participate in the sacraments, in the saving mystery of God’s love. It was Einstein who said, "He who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe is as good as dead." Catholics are very much alive! Having learned how to carve out a place in our life for reverence and wonder, we don’t get stuck at the level of mechanical involvement. There may be moments in our Christian lives when we struggle with doubt, distraction or indifference. Such limitations don’t overwhelm us or make us despondent, but lead us to a greater appreciation of God’s provident election. We touch first-hand the tremendous grace associated with divine mystery--a mystery in which we participate not as spectators but as sharers.

Besides, God isn’t satisfied with only "a part," he wants all of us, and he’ll keep pursuing us until we recognize we will find happiness only when we’ve surrendered ourselves completely to him and are committed to allowing him to work fully in us.

There are other people who are convinced of the place of religion in their lives, but they experience hesitancy in sharing their faith. They don’t want to seem "pushy." Religion feels safer being a quiet, private experience--one just between "myself and God." Such persons wouldn’t mind sharing their belief with those who might be interested in Catholic faith or practice. The real issue is knowing when, where and how to do the sharing.

Of course, there are those who are particularly dedicated to witnessing the Catholic faith. There are groups of religious men and women who are formally committed to the work of evangelization both abroad and at home. There are lay people publicly striving for personal holiness and for renewal within the Church. Organizations and movements like Cursillo, Focolare, Opus Dei, Marriage Encounter and Charismatic Renewal, for example, focus on revitalizing Catholic faith, worship and commitment.

With all these groups up and running, it would seem that this work of witnessing, or evangelization, is well provided for, right ? Wrong. The Lord’s mandate to the apostles to be his witnesses extends to every one of us by the very nature of our baptismal call. We may not perceive ourselves as such, but we are living testimonies to Catholic life. And, like it or not, we are called not only to savor the riches of faith; we are called to share them.

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