Beloved Family:
“You’re weird!” I need to acknowledge that growing up, if I directed that exclamation to someone, it was not intended as a compliment. Likewise, if I was the object of that comment, I took it as a real insult. However, having recently listened to an episode of the Godsplaining podcast, hosted by a rotation of young Dominican friars, I am caused to reconsider the interpretation thereof.
Entitled “The Inescapable Weirdness of the Christian Life,” here is the introductory narrative to the episode:
Christian life can be weird, especially for a Catholic. We certainly stand out from the crowd when you think of how we worship, have intangible relationships, and our belief of immortality. Are Christians superstitious? Is being a ‘weird’ Christian simply inescapable? Should we embrace our weirdness?
I unhesitatingly recommend a listen. Within the presentation, the friars do suggest that living the Christian life— the life of a disciple—ought not be motivated by a desire to be strange for the sake of strangeness. However, it is important to clarify the difference between belonging and merely “fitting in.” Often, I believe, the world entices us to make “fitting in” the priority. We need to resist this; after all, Jesus calls us to be in the world but not belong to the world. Our way of living ought to stand out and yet still attract. The objective is not to avoid contact with others who do not share our faith practices; rather, as Jesus exemplifies, we need to engage the culture.
This has been the consistent approach of Bishop Robert Barron, whose Word on Fire organization is celebrating its 25th year of establishment. I recall Fr. Ryan Mann, when he served his pastoral internship among us at St. Mary, reading Barron’s The Strangest Way: Walking the Christian Path. As one source summarizes the book:
(it) explores the Christian journey as a radical and unconventional path, contrasting it with a perceived blandness of modern Christianity. The book emphasizes that true Christian lifer involves a conversion of the entire self, not just a personal or private experience. It presents three fundamental paths to holiness: finding the center, knowing you’re a sinner, and realizing your life is not about you.
WOW! That last phrase, “Your life is not about you” is highly challenging. Our age is one that almost absolutizes the importance of “self-discovery.” In the gospel passage for Mass this past Monday, Jesus spoke these words: “Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it” (Matthew 10:39).
I also recently heard it said: our Catholic Faith is not an affiliation; it is an identity. I understand that to mean that we are called to be Catholic to the bone. Part-time status is not an option for discipleship. Joy and humility will serve us consistently well, in this challenge. Let us pray for one another in this pilgrimage.
Let His Peace be with you,
Fr. Stephen
