Converts vs. Cradles
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Reading today’s Gospel (Mt 21:28-32), most of us probably do that thing we normally do and think, “Awesome, I’m part of the good group. Yeah there are times I don’t follow through with my promises to God, but I am going to Mass so yeah I’m set.”
But what if we’re not set? What if we’re more like the second son – we made promises long ago to live our faith out, and yet we don’t (or at least we don’t do enough or what God is really calling us to)? At our Baptism, our parents made those promises for us. At Confirmation, we made those promises for ourselves, but we were teens – God should be grateful we’re attending Mass at all, let alone reading the bulletin.
But we did make those promises. Are we really living up to them? I challenge you to not just read through these and give the absent-minded “I do” that so many of us do anytime we renew our Baptismal Promises.
Do you reject Satan?
And all his works?
And all his empty promises?
When he tells you to skip Mass, or that you can push prayer off, do you listen or do you stand firm?
Do you believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth?
Do we treat His creation with the respect it deserves?
Do you believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was born of the Virgin Mary was crucified, died, and was buried, rose from the dead, and is now seated at the right hand of the Father?
Do you try to live by the example that Christ set for us by putting the needs of others before your own?
Do you believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting?
Do you spend time listening to the Spirit? Do you actually understand the Church’s teachings?
How’d you do? Are there areas you need to work on? If you’re feeling like you need to go to Confession – good. It’s not a bad thing to need Confession – that means you recognize you’re not perfect. And guess what? Confession is offered every single Saturday from 4-5pm. If you can’t make time for that (don’t let it be a matter of convenience – Catholicism isn’t a religion of convenience – God knows you can do better than that), you can contact our parish office and ask for a priest for Confession at another time. Our priests will almost always stop and celebrate the Sacrament with you – they are very busy people but they know how important it is and if able will give you that time you need.
Please remember that I write these things not in judgment of what you are doing or how you live your life. The intent is to help you reflect in sincere humility and challenge you to make changes to your life if that is what God wants for you. Cool?
via GIPHY
But if we are the second son, who’s the first? Converts. Converts are those who didn’t grow up in the Church. They said “no” to it – whether by actually rejecting it or by not knowing it at all. But they’ve come back and decided to do what God was calling them to do. And in general they are more involved and excited about being a Catholic then us Cradles are. They were of course intentional about becoming Catholic, while we were mostly indifferent to it.
So what do we do? We need to be intentional about being Catholic. We need to pray more. We need to study more. We need to serve and volunteer more. We constantly complain that our faith and our Mass is boring. Well that’s because we are boring. We are bored before we even come into the church walls. So take some time this week and figure out what’s going to get you more excited. Is it getting involved in a ministry? Is it getting to know that family that’s been sitting right behind you for the past twelve years (or God forbid the family on the other side of the Church)? Is it learning how the Church and science work together (they do)? Is it starting or joining a small group? Whatever it is, make it happen, or talk to someone who can help make it happen.
I think this article does a good job at holding up a mirror and asking cradle Catholics to take a look in it. People need that kind of perspective and challenge sometimes to not be too complacent (converts included) 🙂