Once a Catholic Always a Catholic
Often people who lead are very conscious of the things they say because they know that other people are going to follow them. Recently, a local priest in Brooklyn tweeted the words of Cardinal Rodriguez: “Catholics who say they are non-practicing are non-Catholic.”
For days I thought about what he wrote. Does Cardinal Rodriguez realize what he is saying? The Son of God gave his life for us and Cardinal Rodriguez wants to talk about someone being a non-Catholic. REALLYYYYYY? Jesus died on the cross for you and I and he wants to discuss if a person falling out of faith is still a Catholic? Why would a person in authority bother to discuss such an unimportant thing? Pope Francis, the leader of the Catholic Church has been making leaps and bounds on faith by reminding people what is important and what we need to concentrate on. Recently Pope Francis said: “Too often we participate in the globalization of indifference. May we strive instead to live global solidarity.” and “Our life must be centered on what is essential, on Jesus Christ. Everything else is secondary.”
If you know me now you would probably be surprised to know that I was away from faith/the church for many years. I found my way back because God pursued me for years. Through the guidance of some devoted Christians and Jews , I went back to my church. Many people often ask me why I didn’t join another church. I always say – Once a Catholic, always a Catholic. Even though no Catholics led me back to my faith, I stayed with the church I have known all my life. I responded to the pastor from a local church – carefully and respectfully. On Twitter you only have 140 characters so it’s hard to explain that knowing about God is different than knowing God. For someone in the ministry, knowing God probably came easy and early in life. For a sinner like me, knowing God came through all my questioning and reading of scripture. God can handle the questioning and I believe He want us to question because questioning shows Him we are thinking and desiring to know Him (at least for me it was).
There is a term for Catholics who falls out of their faith – lapsed Catholic……but you are still a Catholic. If you are here reading this post because of a google search, know that you are still Catholic and you can return to your faith anytime (God’s probably working on leading you back as you probably wouldn’t be here otherwise. You haven’t renounced your faith – you have just wavered or been led away from it.
A wonderful Pope is now leading our church! I can’t tell you the excitement I feel everytime I see him on television. That never happened to me before. Pope Francis represents everything you always believed that a Catholic Church leader should be. Pope Francis’ focus is on the important things – not on silly discussions if someone is still a Catholic or if they aren’t a Catholic. Recently, Pope Francis said: “The fight against evil is long and difficult. It is essential to pray constantly and to be patient.” If you are away from your faith – pray and continue to pray….eventually you will be back where you need to be.
We are all sinners. But God heals us with an abundance of grace, mercy and tenderness. (Pope Francis)
Hugs,
marlene
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