A Catholic on Conversion

1/22/2016

One of the most difficult challenges we Catholics are faced with is bringing about conversion in a world where many People don't believe that God exists at all. It is probably more difficult to evangelize in this day and age than when Jesus' original 12 disciples were sent out to spread the Good News of The Gospel. The fact is that in the beginning of the Christ phenomenon, the majority of people did believed in a god - in one form or another. And, it was their willingness to believe, and the gift of Faith, that motivated their quest for the Truth.
That being said, I believe one of the most demanding parts of our mission, when answering The Call to the New Evangelization, is to convert those people who already think that they are Catholic to (real or true) Catholicism. They are the people who vaguely remember their childhood catechism, who trip over the words of familiar prayers, and who bury a statue of Saint Joseph upside down in their backyard, or carry a Knight's of Columbus card in their wallets as though it were a "get out of jail free" card. They are the ones who say: I got my own thing going on with God.

How can we reach these folks? How do we encourage people - who think they are already Catholic - to redefine their experience so that Christianity (or being a true Christian?) informs their lives and guides their hearts? How do we convince the ones who do not see the need for, because they feel that they have already "jumped through the hoops" required of them by, the Catholic Church (being Baptized, attending Sunday Mass, and receiving an occasional sacrament ) that there is more to being a Catholic Christian than arbitrarily fulfilling the basic requirements of the Church? How do we help people find delight and amazement inside the framework of their Lives of Faith?

Christianity must return to that place in people's lives where it governs the way they see the world and it governs the way they live their lives and respond to one another. The problem is: No one enjoys being governed! So now what? In a culture where people have become their own god, how might we encourage them to eliminate that false idol so that one day they might turn and say: " My Lord and my God", and not be looking in the mirror?

Christianity is: The love of God and the love of neighbor.
What Christianity isn't...is the love of self.

14 Comments

jackie white

1/23/2016 06:34:15 am

Evelyn,

In today's world what we say is not as important as who we are. What are my actions telling people? If we are followers of Christ and are filled with the joy of the Gospel people will see that and in some cases want to know why we are so happy. It may not mean anything on a first encounter but it it ends up being the way we daily live our lives and at some point it will mean enough to them to ask why are we so happy all the time in good times and it bad ?

I have a few close friends who were Catholic and no longer practice their religion. We spend a lot of time together and nothing is happening for a return to the faith that means so much to me. I am continually witnessing that faith. In God's time is what I must keep saying. Conversion is a heart transformation. In God's time I believe they will return to Him. We are called to Evangelize and be happy to let God do the rest. Are we joyful enough as Christians? Do people see that we believe that we are His beloved? And we return love to the ONE who loved us first?

A quote from a Jesuit priest named Teilhard de Chardin and one I have on my computer desk is: "Joy is the infallible sign of the presence of God." God's presence is everywhere. Follow the joy.

If we don't look happy why should anyone want to join our club?

Denise

1/24/2016 06:19:29 am

Agree 100%
Conversation not judgement.
God's presence is everywhere.
Focus on the joy and trust in the power of God.

Sandra Arnone

1/26/2016 04:18:40 pm

Evelyn, we need to awaken many people of our faith. They are in a deep sleep brought on by the secular world around them. I know how easy it is to be there and how much personal desire it takes to be with Jesus each day. Just keep spreading the "word."

Denise

1/24/2016 07:37:34 am

Yes, but agreeing with the statement from Ms. White. I'm certain that we will all grow from the debate!

jackie white

1/24/2016 05:14:55 pm

What debate???

jackie white

1/25/2016 09:20:47 am

I would like to consider this an add on from what was said before. From Pope Francis and his daily reflections for today.

Reflection: Would people know that you are a Christian by your daily example? In what one area can you grow so that your daily life witnesses to your faith?

Evelyn Augusto link

1/26/2016 10:12:53 pm

Thanks Sandra! I really appreciate your response to my blog on conversion. It surprises me how many people don't get it. The concepts are not that difficult. I'm working on a series if essays: From "Cradle Catholic" To Convert...see GoFundMe for details

Evelyn Augusto

1/26/2016 10:14:49 pm

lyn Augusto link1/26/2016 22:12:53
Thanks Sandra! I really appreciate your response to my blog on conversion. It surprises me how many people don't get it. The concepts are not that difficult. I'm working on a series of essays: From "Cradle Catholic" To Convert...see GoFundMe for details

Denmis

1/27/2016 08:00:48 am

I agree we all should governed by Christ's directves. I believe the governing Is done by our soul. Our soul's desire to be in communion with God. We then live out our joy and love at every moment by loving God, ourselves, and our fellow humans. God, for me, doesn't tell me what to do, He invites me to walk with Him!

Evelyn Augusto

1/28/2016 10:48:27 am

Hello again Dennis: I run the risk of putting you and some of my other blog followers off by writing this but I feel compelled to question your statement further. I hope that does not happen. You said: "God, for me, doesn't tell me what to do, He invites me to walk with Him!" How might you walk with him, as a follower or disciple if He doesn't instruct you how to live?

In spiritual direction and during Sunday homilies our pastor, Fr. Michael, suggests that when we pray we ask our Heavenly Father to let us know His will for us. Fr. Michael has offered these words for our use: "Here I am Lord...I come to do your will." And we hear something similar in the words our Savor gave us to pray: "Thy will be done...on earth as it is on Heaven".
If God isn't interest in "bossing anyone around" why would Christ teach us these words? Of course God tells us what to do! Even, the Son of God recognizes that as he prayed in the garden before His passion and death. He prayed and listened for His Father to "tell him what to do".

The point of my blog post is that many of us just pay attention to what suits us. I wrote this essay for people who tend to ignore Church teachings, preferring to "do their own thing". This is not helpful for the individual or the "body of Christ" as a whole. I wrote the essay to try and convince those who read it to be honest with themselves and surrender their ego or their will to the will of God. We would all benefit greatly from that and the Church, "the body of Christ" would thrive instead of struggle against itself.

Why not experiment and let God and the Church's teachings govern for 6 months? Go to Mass as often as possible, receive the sacraments as often as possible, learn more and more about what the Genius of being Catholic means, and walk the talk. Let see what happens.

Dennis

2/2/2016 06:00:52 am

I agree Christ and his directives should lead us. Christ invites us to follow Him....He leads, we follow.

Evelyn Augusto

1/27/2016 10:45:57 am

I like much of what you said, Dennis. But The Good News is that God does tell us what to do. He does so through the Gospels.

evelyn augusto link

1/27/2016 11:42:37 am

Dennis: How does a man determine what is the "governing" force in his life? His soul or his ego?

Dennis

1/28/2016 06:22:32 am

It is a most difficult task knowing one's self. Being honest and objective in self examination is not an instinct. Our instincts are designed for protection and defence and function off our point of view. Our ego, that part of consciousness that defines who we are, is learned and developed as we grow. This would include; pride, prejudice, desires, loves, hates etc. The soul, I believe, is a gift God gave humanity. It is our soul that connects us to God. I can see the .difficulty in the struggle to fully understand our motive......do I love God? Do I love loving God for what it brings to my ego? It comes back to knowing one's self in an honest objective manner. Prayer is a path to self awareness. Fasting can quicken the journey.

LET IT aLL sTART hERE
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