“And what is a ‘common’ Catholic?”
Regarding Fre Republic. On these pages several times, I have asked defenders of Catholicism to be very precise and tell me exactly what I must do to be saved, delivered from my sins, and have an inheritance in heaven. Point-by-point — tell me.
What I have received as answers were not instructive as to how to be saved; merely statements about how the RCC no longer curses people, or that being outside of the RCC doesn’t necessarily mean one will be lost, etc.
If a member of the Roman Catholic Church were to sense some concern for me as a sinner in need of a Savior, what precisely would he instruct me as to how to know Christ?
I think first a courteous and sincere discussion would need to be established.
If someone is combative and expresses a strong desire to have nothing to do with Catholicism, I take that as a sign more discussion is needed before proselytizing - which I think has little lasting effect. Certainly didn’t with me.
(2)Read yo' Bible, pray a lot for grace, knowledge, and wisdom and whatever else God sees fit to give you.
(3)Find you a good Catholic to help you take the next step(s).
Note on step 2: One of the chunk's o' wisdom that God may give you is the gift not to phrase your questions so that you only get the answer you want. In an important way there is nothing YOU (or WE) can do to be saved. It's all in God's hands. In fact, a good part of repentance (re-thinking, metanoia) is forming the habit of "believing what you believe", that God loves you, has saved you is saving you, will save you, and HE's got it under control and will not fail you.
Example: Those Freepers who have put up with me for more than 10 minutes pick up on the ADHD (look! there's a bird!), and may wonder how a guy like me would presume to pretend to pray. Well, it's like this. Being a good Cat'lick, when I start to pray I cross myself and murmur "In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit: Okay God, this is YOUR time. You have the con. I'm just along for the ride. I'm trusting you to take me where I need to go.") Then I rely on GOD to take care of anything good that might be required of me. I contribute trying to keep the cat from ripping up my breviary.
Note on step 3: A relationship with God is a personal relationship, not a computer program or rebuilding a carburettor. (Remember carburettors?) It's not a cook-book recipe thing. So a personal relationship with a good devout human is really important for the vast majority of us. If we don't know a good devout human, we should ask God to send us one and then stay alert to make sure we don't reject the one God sends.
Meta-comment: "Common Catholic". The longer I am a Catholic, the fewer "common catholics" I know. And probably the most frequent evangelical response is, "Come and see," which is an offer for a relationship. The Lay Dominicans didn't sell me on anything, they invited me to some of their meetings. The "corporal works of mercy people" say, "Can you swing a hammer? If not, can you carry lumber? Come and help." St Francis of Assisi is said to have said,"Preach the Gospel always and if necessary use words."