Something to think about

My son called me from his home in Kansas excited to tell about an encounter he had with three non-denominational Christians who rang his doorbell Saturday afternoon.  King James Bible in hand, they used scripture quotes to explain how he needed to be saved.  This began a thirty-minute conversation on the front porch.  One of them was a former Catholic who my son engaged in some charitable Catholic apologetics. 

He asked them how they knew what they read in their bible was correct.  He asked them who assembled the early writings into one volume, and how they account for the disagreement of interpretation among various denominations.  He talked about the sacraments, the necessity of confession, and gift of the Holy Eucharist, hoping to connect with the woman who had left the Catholic Church.  In short, he gave them a short history lesson, hoping to inspire them to investigate further.

They need to realize that their Christian ancestors were likely Catholic at one time, and at some point, one or more of them decided to abandoned the mothership.  Maybe they didn’t like the captain, or somebody said something to offend them.  In any case, they hopped into a lifeboat to seek a different route.   Some eventually didn’t like what was happening in the lifeboat and departed in a dingy.  Others left the dingy for a raft or canoe.  Some are now bobbing around on water wings.  That’s not to say they won’t eventually navigate to their destination, but they are sure to encounter some stormy seas. 

Those ancestors who left the Church must bear some responsibility for their descendants who may now live with invincible ignorance.  That is, they no longer know the true Church through no fault of their own.  As for the former Catholic on the doorstep who left the Church on her own accord, she should consider the plight of her own descendants who may never learn the truth of the Catholic Church.  Her own ignorance may be vincible if she was formed in the faith, and yet chose another path.  If this seems a little confusing, allow me to cite Jimmy Akin's explanation of the terms:

"Ignorance is invincible if it a person could not remove it by applying reasonable diligence in determining the answer. Ignorance is vincible if a person could remove it by applying reasonable diligence. Reasonable diligence, in turn, is that diligence that a conscientious person would display in seeking the correct answer to a question given (a) the gravity of the question and (b) his particular resources."

Determining where one will spend eternity is a serious question.  So, if a person was raised in a practicing Catholic family, and leaves the faith without applying due diligence to grow in the faith, that person may be responsible for his or her own ignorance, and therefore, could be putting salvation in jeopardy.  Of course, only God can judge the person’s soul, but out of love, we charitably try to share the faith, and draw the person closer to the Church Our Lord established. 

Reaching out to a former Catholic is not easy.  Think of it as tossing out a life preserver to someone who has jumped ship. The polarization in our society today makes it difficult to get our message across without resistance or backlash.  Many people do not want to hear about religion or morality.  Our only recourse may be prayer and leading by example.  Or, do as my son did when the opportunity arises, and calmly ask them questions that will make them rethink their faith.

That being said, I completely understand how some people better connect with the non-denominational Christian life.  Understanding Catholicism takes some effort, indoctrination one might say, to know what actually takes place in the Mass.  To the casual observer, the Mass may seem strange or incomprehensible.  Conversely, first-timers at a protestant service might have a very emotional experience.  I recently came across the story singer-songwriter Kris Kristofferson told of his encounter that led to him to Jesus.  (Go here to see the video.)

You can’t discount the personal experience some protestants have.  They may never know the sacraments as we Catholics do, but that void comes through no fault of their own.  A merciful God will not hold them responsible for something to which they were never exposed. And I wonder sometimes, if they won’t be in heaven long before we are.