People have many reasons for being Catholic. Most are good, but some seem weak: “Sunday mornings without Mass would seem empty.” “I was raised Catholic. It’s all I know.” “I’m not sure there’s a God, but I’d rather err by believing than be surprised when I die.” These aren’t bad reasons, but they may not stand up to the challenges of modern life. They are like the house built on sand. When the storm came, it collapsed (See Matthew 7:24-27). The storms are many: anger at the clergy sex-abuse scandals; dissatisfaction with the limited role of women; judging the Church as too wishy-washy, politically involved, rich, or too concerned about the rules; and hurt from negative personal experiences.

Once a young adult leaves home, the practice of the faith may seem as only a cultural commitment with no roots. Sometimes people aren’t welcomed when they approach the Church for marriage and other sacraments. Our Church must walk a delicate balance between staking out an identity that sometimes upholds unpopular values while welcoming all people with unconditional love as Jesus did.

Lately we have been listening to folks who have left the Church and to others who have remained or returned to active Catholicism. These are some of the more significant reasons we have heard about why people stay:

— Communion of Saints: Many in the Church have been inspired by Catholics, some deceased but others still alive, who have been powerful witnesses of lives lived for others: true followers of Jesus.

— Crisis: Sometimes a life crisis drives us to ask the ultimate questions about the meaning of life. God often touches us during difficult times, and we come to understand that life is about more than collecting stuff or even surrounding ourselves with loving people.

— Sacraments: The Catholic Church has a rich tradition of combining the Word with actions and sym- bols in its seven sacraments. This reflects an understanding of how ordinary things (water, bread, oil, rings, words of forgiveness or commitment, and human touch) help us experience God’s love.

— Universality: People have told us that they were attracted to the Catholic Church because its herit- age goes back to Jesus and there is a unity of belief around the world.

— Service & Social Justice: The Catholic Church has perhaps the most extensive social service network in the world — tending to the poor, coordinating aid during crises, and challenging everyone to live simply and help their neighbors because that is what Jesus taught.

— Community: Living a Christian life is not about being a lone ranger. Being in community with other believers, we can pool our resources and support each other.

In the end, the reason that we — Jim and Susan — are Catholic is that it’s where God has called us and spoken to us. There are many routes to God, but Catholicism is where we have experienced God’s touch. There may be Church policies with which we disagree, but we could find human foibles and failings no matter what religion we followed.

Some of the best and worst things in human history were done in the name of the Church, God, and religion. We must align ourselves with the best and repudiate the worst. The challenge is to be humble enough to remember that we’re not in charge and that we’re all imperfect sinners, still loved by God. As a community inspired by the life of Jesus, faith calls us to devote ourselves to the good of others. What’s the bottom line? Love.

CCGR Weekly Newsletter (10-24-21)
Bringing Home the Word (10-24-21)
The Kids Bulletin (10-24-21)

Art Credit: Dreamstime | Xantana

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Call to Prayer
A Church That Goes Out

By Pope Francis