Peace be with you!

Here’s a video that I thought I’d already posted, but got lost in the fog of holiday roadtrips. Let’s catch up with Fr. Freeh, Vicki Phillips, and Pat Henry as they discuss faith, belief, and how the Holy Spirit calls us to participate in the purpose and mission of Jesus Christ.

http://youtu.be/RKMDLDaEm3E

At Mass, we pray “I believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of Heaven and Earth….”

Our public prayer is the expression of our personal belief in the faith of the Church. The question is…do we know what we believe?

My family’s dinner table, and the example of my parents and extended family, made up in large part for the gaps in the “feel good” catechism of the post-Vatican II era. (Lots of emphasis on “Jesus loves you” but the doctrinal details were fuzzy to say the least. In eighth grade, one of my classmates was shocked to hear–apparently for the first time–that the Eucharist was truly the Real Presence of Christ, Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity, and not just a symbol. Yes, after eight years of parochial school, including First Holy Communion and Confirmation.)

Even so, sometimes I am brought up short by what I don’t know. (Which is kind of ridiculous, given the sheer scope and depth of Catholicism.) Today’s video reflection is a great example. My understanding of Christ’s passion, death, and resurrection stopped pretty much at the “taking away sins” part. I hadn’t gone the next step…that taking away our sins was only the “necessary precondition” to our intimate union with God, sharing in Christ’s priesthod and mission.

Sadly, many Catholics lack even a basic understanding of their faith. Their religious formation, such as it was, ended with their school days. Now, they’re navigating the tough issues of today’s world with “feel good” catechism as their only rudder. A teenaged faith, facing adult choices. Marry, or live together? Baptize the baby? What about life-and-death decisions for an aged loved one, or in the aftermath of a tragic accident? And these personal decisions that hit the home and heart quickly balloon out to hot-button topics affecting our entire society. When does life begin? What is the meaning of sexuality and marriage? What is our obligation to the poor? Worse, Catholics who disagree with the teachings of the Church  often do so without really understanding either the teachings, or the principles and values in which they are rooted, instead accepting as gospel the shallow criticism of the secular world. Or, perhaps worst of all, they agree in a superficial way that responds to challenges with anger, rather than charity, driving people away rather than inviting them to dialogue.

What is the antidote to this sad state of affairs? I think the answer lies in Pat Henry and Vicki Phillips description of the youth in their parish: “They’re asking nice questions;” and “they were passionate about it.”

We need to rediscover our sense of curiosity about our faith; we need to care enough about it to pursue answers to our questions. And we need to bring to our seach hearts that are open to the timeless truths embedded in the authentic teachings of the Church.

Our belief is–or should be–shaped by a life-long commitment to discovering the inexhaustible treasures of the Deposit of Faith. No time to begin like the present. Or really really soon….

Lent is fast approaching. Pick out a book now. Maybe dive into an encyclical. Or a book on Church history. Or even the Catechism of the Catholic Church…Pope St. John Paul II’s great gift to the faithful which marked the beginning of the end for modern day catechetical confusion and fuzziness.

If you read even one book a year to learn more about your faith, your “I believe” will become deeper, truer, richer throughout your life. And you’ll be more prepared to live out the vocation of your baptism…participating in the priesthood of Christ by glorifying the Father, bringing God to the people, and the people to God.

Sunday’s readings.