Evangelization: Taking the 'Faith SAT' and Getting an Incomplete

Somewhere in the middle of our conversation I realized that we were no longer shooting the breeze after mowing and weeding our lawns.  I was being tested.  In the moment, among the gas fumes, pollen, dirt and dust I was called to spread the Faith.

WASHINGTON, DC (Catholic Online) - The most amazing thing just happened.  It went something like this .

After cutting the grass I went over to thank my neighbor for his help.  We began discussing his new job and relating harmless life experiences.  At some point the conversation made a sharp turn and we were now discussing my Catholic faith.  It was an intellectual, conversational mugging.  Out of nowhere, and for presumably no reason, we began discussion all things Catholic: current events and the Church, tithing, Catholic schooling, doctrine and Tradition.

Our discussion advanced rapidly.  Initially the topics were "light", and in retrospect it was like the SAT of apologetics.  It started easy but rapidly progressed in difficulty.  "What does the Church do with all that money; my ex-father-in-law gave hundreds of dollars a month to his Church?"  This was simple enough to answer.  Having wondered the same thing . I was well prepared for this question. 

For awhile, we meandered around other equally benign questions.  Then - "Has the Catholic church gotten with the times? Or, does it hold to old traditions?"  Simple enough. I explained that Tradition and the Liturgy are crucial tools to the teaching, and application of the Church's doctrine, and that the Church is timeless.  It exists outside of time.  But, certainly some old practices are no longer.    In our Church the message doesn't change, just the messenger and the practical method, the application. 

I tried to convince him of the unique utility of such a concept.  I explained that it was like not having to worry about where I put my wallet - the important things are constant and always with me.  However, as the conversation continued I began to realize that unfortunately I was not up to task.    

Suffice it to say, somewhere in the middle I realized that we were no longer shooting the breeze after mowing and weeding our lawns.  I was being tested.  Think about it.  Here's an example.  I am not a sports fan.  I haven't watched a football game since 1997.  I have never watched a baseball, basketball or hockey game from start to finish.  So, if someone were to ask me about sports they would quickly realize that I don't care much for sports.  My lack of knowledge on the topic would ensure a quick and disappointing conversation.  Similarly, I would never ask someone, "Hey d'ya watch the game?"

My neighbor was interested in the faith.  I know he sees my family and I pile into our van every Sunday and many more times during Lent, Easter, Advent and Christmas.  If he wasn't interested why would he have broached the topic, much less bother spending time talking to me in the hot sun on a Saturday afternoon?  I can assure you it would not be because of my captivating personality and adventurous lifestyle.  Evaluating my personal performance, I think I earned an incomplete.  I didn't fail, but I certainly did not pass.  What is most disappointing is that I see this for what it was.  In the moment, among the gas fumes, pollen, dirt and dust I was called to spread the Faith.

My neighbor didn't come over after Mass.  Nor did we schedule a time, in which case I could have prepared a presentation and provided some material.  Rather, it was among the ordinary, mundane and somewhat uncomfortable daily realities that I was called to make a difference in his life.  Yeah, that sounds dramatic.  However, since you're bothering to read this I'm certain that you hold your faith in high regard and you would concur with me that the day you chose to devote your life to Christ stands out as meaningful.  You know, "Gather Us In" is one of my two favorite hymns.  Stay with me a little while longer.

I never understood where we were Gathering.  I think we're Gathering at Mass.  But maybe it's like the song says, we are also gathering "....here in this place".  We, you and I, are Gathering the lost and forsaken, the sick and the meek - in our front-yards, at the office, maybe in the mall.  To share with them the Truth in whom the "darkness [is] vanished away."
 
I finished reading Orthodoxy a few months ago.  Chesterton discusses, at length, Sacramental Imagination.  It was a concept foreign to me.  It goes like this.  God works through Us.  God isn't an amalgamation of the tooth-fairy and Santa Claus, flitting about with a magic wand and fairy-dust.  In His divine goodness He has given us free will.  And, through us He works and reveals Himself to others.  Certainly there are miracles with a capitol M.  But our lives are full of the small miracles accomplished by Him through the Faithful.  But His faithful must know what and why they Believe.

Here's the challenge: how about you?  Can you name the starting line-up for the Dallas Cowboys for every year since 1985 but cannot name the twelve apostles?  Or, maybe you're like me; you read three to four books a month but have never read the Bible.  I just picked up the Catechism.  I've had a copy for ten years.  Perhaps, you pride yourself on professional knowledge, reason and an analytic mind, but you can't explain the reasons why you believe.  In these three ways I failed today.  I don't adequately know my faith.  Nor can I concisely explain my faith with reasonable clarity.  So, once the last period is typed on this little article, I'm going to buy some books, download some encyclicals and spend some time learning the teachings of the Church I love.

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C Hartline writes from Virginia. He is a husband, a father, and a man in love with the Lord Jesus Christ and the Church, which is His Body.

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