Real Catholics, Warts and All

CatholicExchange.com ^ | 05-19-05 | Heidi Hess Saxton

[Salvation]

by Heidi Hess Saxton

Other Articles by Heidi Hess Saxton

Real Catholics, Warts and All

05/19/05

In 1988, contemporary recording artist John Fischer launched his bestseller Real Christians (Don’t) Dance, an unabashed manifesto of those who refuse to put form ahead of substance, and charity above all.

After ten years spent in various Catholic parishes and groups, I’ve discovered that much of what Fischer says about Evangelical Protestants applies equally as well to Catholics: There are Pharisees on both sides of the great ecclesial divide, who (as Jesus observed) are excruciatingly attentive to detail, yet never think to welcome the stranger in the next pew. “Woe to you Pharisees!... For you load men with burdens hard to bear, and you yourselves do not touch the burdens with one of your fingers” (Lk 12:42-46).

In the great dance of the liturgy, for every hundred Catholics just trying to get their families through the hour without resorting to violence, one or two scribble notes for their weekly “watchdog” letter to the bishop: So-and-so botched a line here. Thus-and-such hymn, clearly labeled “Christmas,” was used during Advent. Worst of all, the priest continues to encourage his flock to hold hands during the “Our Father.” (They, of course, observe “proper form”: pointedly ignoring any outstretched hand and scowling at anyone who tries to touch them before the “sign of peace.”)

Some time ago I overheard a popular apologist sneeringly denounce anyone who thinks evangelization involves “being nice to people.” In his mind, it seems, the true evangelist is one who has the last word, wins the most points in a doctrinal verbal sparring match, or “goes in for the kill” against his (usually Protestant) opponent. Isn’t that what Jesus said: “Thus will all men know you are my disciples: If you can wrestle an estranged brother to the ground, hog-tie him, and drag him into the Church.”

No, I guess not.

Ironically, as I made my way to the fullness of the faith, it was not professional apologists or “serious” Catholics who gave me the warmest welcome (though they did produce the bulk of tapes and books that provided my initial faith formation). No, my “family of faith” album includes:

• A chain-smoking, martini-swilling mother of one high-school friend, who could never articulate her faith to my satisfaction. However, when a car accident put me in the hospital me for over a month, she figured out how to give me a bed bath and wash my hair. “I know what it feels like not to be able to touch my toes,” she told me. “Love one another, Jesus said — isn’t that what it’s all about?”

• A college friend, whom I met at a frat party just before I flunked out of engineering school. Three years later, when I went on a mission trip to Senegal, she was one of my most faithful supporters. (Initially my conscience prickled over accepting money from someone who “still needed to be saved,” but pragmatism won out.) Janice continued to correspond with me, and showed admirable grace when I confessed that I had once considered her an “unbeliever.”

• A young man who treated me with greater respect and courtesy than any of my previous “real Christian” beaus. When he proposed marriage, I refused him: I didn’t want to be “unequally yoked” with a Catholic.

• My second RCIA sponsor (the first one quit because I asked too many questions) is an enthusiastic advocate for women’s ordination. We have spirited discussions about points of Church teaching (with me taking the “conservative” position). However, I will always owe her a special debt of gratitude: At the time I most needed someone to walk with me, she welcomed me into her family.

In a visit to Mexico in 1999, the Holy Father proclaimed the nature of the “new evangelization” to which all Catholics are called, a task requiring not only a clear head, but a compassionate heart:

The new evangelization will be a seed of hope for the new millennium if you, today's Catholics, make the effort to transmit to future generations the precious legacy of human and Christian values which have given meaning to your life…. It is your role to ensure that the new generations receive a sound Christian formation during their intellectual and cultural training, to prevent the powerful progress from closing them to the transcendent. Lastly, always present yourselves as tireless promoters of dialogue and peace in the face of the predominance of might over right, and of indifference to the tragedies of hunger and disease afflicting large numbers of the population.

And so, I’d like to offer a few observations, for whatever they are worth, about the “Real Catholics” I’ve come to know and love.

• Real Catholics may not know where a particular verse is found, but they know where to find the Body and Blood of the Lord, to strengthen and sustain them.

• Real Catholics may not know how to pray a Rosary unaided, but they can be counted upon to bring over a meal to a bedridden neighbor.

• Real Catholics may resort to Cheerios and sippy cups for their toddlers at Mass, but their prayers for patience are indisputably sincere.

• Real Catholics may not win every Thanksgiving Day debate with their zealous brother-in-law, but are confident that the answers are there for the finding.

• Real Catholics occasionally grumble when Mass gets a bit long, and occasionally miss the first reading, but they know that, no matter how crazy life gets, that hour gives them what they need to get through the rest of the week.

• Real Catholics don’t always remember to genuflect toward the tabernacle when they enter the church, but they live each day humbly trying to embody the Gospel message for those who will never read the Book.

Lord, give me patience with the snippy, compassion toward the needy, and charity toward all. In my journey toward the heavenly Kingdom, let me never forget how far You had to go to get me on the right path. Amen.

© Copyright 2005 Catholic Exchange


Raised in the Evangelical Protestant tradition, Heidi Saxton was confirmed Catholic in 1993. She is the author of With Mary in Prayer (Loyola) and is a graduate student (theology) at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit, Michigan. You may contact Heidi at hsaxton@christianword.com.

[Lilllabettt]

That's unbelievable. In my experience, hand-holders are relatively innocent: they're just ignorant, and it seems to them like a nice thing to do, so why not do it.

People who force the issue however, are probably wanting to make a political statement at Mass. Always something that should be avoided.

[GenXFreedomFighter]

Got more out of this thread than you bargained for, didn't ya? LOL.

[tiki]

Now that is a thoughtful answer.

I don't give Hollywood much money, I have been to the theater 2Xs in 25 yrs, Snow Dogs and The Passion. I also rarely give the guy on the street corner money but I will ask if he wants some food. I get in trouble for feeding illegal aliens but I ask any Christian, how can you turn away someone who has walked a 100 miles and is truly hungry. I can't

[dsutah]

Then there is also the case of the Roman official who, though considered the pagan enemy by some, came and asked the Lord in all humility to heal his servant. Our Lord was really impressed by the guy's faith, and told everyone around him so!

[sitetest]

Dear murphE,

"Maybe they don't volunteer for the church picnic because they don't want their name in the bulletin for it, (or worse) read at mass for everyone to applaud."

Yet, someone has to volunteer for the church picnic, or there won't be a church picnic.

Sometimes, folks who want to avoid the recognition for the things they do for God have to accept a little, anyway, to make sure the stuff that God wants done gets done.

Do I think God wants church picnics? Yeah.



sitetest

[Coleus]

We're just regular people

[melsec]

You seem to have gotten hold of the wrong end of the stick or I have not expressed myself well enough. The original post that was referred to mentioned that the Priest was the one asking people to join hands in prayer so that is the person that you need to take objections. The person in the pugh (who may or may not be new) would only be doing what the Priest has asked them to do. IF they feel spurned by you because of your objections (no matter how righteous) then you indeed have been unloving towards them. I am sure there would not be time to raise the theological objections during the Our Father. So like I said it is better to take the objections to the Priest and maybe you could speak to the people who were next to you after Mass and discuss it with them.

[Dumb_Ox]

Can't Peanut Butter sandwiches be bartered for hooch almost as easily as money in some urban centers? It wouldn't suprise me.

Should we encourage homeless alcoholics to keep drinking by giving them money?

Considering how many other alcoholics and druggies we finance through ordinary product consumption, I don't see why not.

[Sir_Ed]

"It's the Sacraments (especially the presence of Christ in the Holy Eucharist) that separates Catholics from many other Christians. My best understanding of this is that not only is God the Creator of all things, but He exists within, and works through, what He has Created."

If God is everywhere, why do you need Him in the wafer top help you?

Just pray, seek, need, etc., and He'll answer then, also, wouldn't He, as much as if you've eaten a wafer with His Real Presence?

Ed

[SaltyJoe]

"If God is everywhere, why do you need Him in the wafer top help you?"

God is not present everywhere, especially in a human heart that rejects God. That is His gift of free will. If He commands Himself everywhere (including Hell), then His creation would not be the reality we know right now.

Sacraments and Ceremony:
Why does a Marine have to raise his hand to give an oath upon promotion? Didn't already go through a similar ceremony before with a raised hand? Why does he salute the same superior officers every day? Why does he stand in formation for every flag raising and retiring?

If you have already told your spouse that you love her, then why does a husband need to say it again and again...and show her with actions? What's the use of giving flowers that die. Is really only to cover the stench of a fart? Doesn't a rose have more significance?

Why do most women keep every love note their man has given them? Are they going to use this as evidence in a court of law? What's the meaning of a "thing" like a love letter in a loving relationship?

Like I said before. Judeo Christian Faith is not gnostic.

http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06592a.htm

We are still fighting a spiritual battle against those spirits who've rejected creation. The Sacramental life is not pious poems and movements. Christ instituted the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist when he said, "This IS my body." Christ conquers evil through God's Creation because Creation is "good".

The cynicism that rejects clearly defined actions and institutions is like an unrepentant US President that belittles the American Senate and People over definitions of "is". Focusing on the Word of God and His promise and command is like pouring hot cools on the wicked (it's similar to mentioning the blood poured out on the cross and the victory of the Arch Angels is very repulsive to devils).

[Sir_Ed]

Thank you for your reply, Joe. I don't have time to fully read it and try and understand what you're saying, but I will this weekend.

Ed

[SaltyJoe]

I'm usually very bad at explaining myself. I mumble a lot too. Most of the time I don't even know what I'm talking about. I close one eye when I explain things to others just so they don't see the fact that my eyes go crossed when I have to explain even simple concepts. When the complexity of a situation increases, I wear ear plugs so that others don't see the steam escaping. I have to drink lots of water during these times.

Needless to say, I am a train wreck.