aunt who is "very Catholic"

Author: Padre Alejandro Cortés González-Báez  

 

 

The story is told that during the anti-clerical period in Mexico during the 1920's, when the government of President Calles tried to suffocate the Church, Masses were celebrated in secret, word was spread whenever a priest, dressed as a peasant would arrive in the towns. In one particular village everything was prepared for his arrival, the catechists had the baptisms and other sacraments scheduled and prepared. All was ready in an old barn big enough to hold hundreds of the faithful.

On that particular Sunday 600 people were gathered, filling the barn, waiting for the Mass to begin. They were startled to see two men, armed and in uniform enter the barn. One of the men barked out: "He who is willing to be shot for Christ stay in your place. We will close the doors in five minutes." Immediately the choir got up and left, followed by the deacons and a great number of the gathered faithful. Only twenty remained. Then the soldier looked at the priest and said: "You may begin the Mass, father. I too am a Christian and I just got rid of all the hypocrites. "
There is no doubt that there is a big difference between being a mere Catholic and being a practicing Catholic.
In my opinion it is unfortunate that the term "very Catholic" tends to mean "too Catholic." A better phrase would be a "good Catholic", one who strives to be an excellent husband, or wife, parent, worker, friend, neighbor......
We must admit that it's possible to overdo piety and devotion, and being lax in our professional and family obligations, a sign perhaps of some deeper conflict. However we can never over express our love of God. Our faith should be a harmony of basic virtues, such as justice, prudence, responsibilities.

Recently I received a letter that read: "Going to Church doesn't make you a better Christian anymore than standing in a car makes you a car". Although I am deeply convinced of the importance of attending the different liturgical celebrations, especially in order to receive the sacraments, I do agree with the statement of the letter.
Being a Christian is a privilege, and also a responsibility, which few have been able to value. Pope John Paul II in his World Youth Day of 2000 said: "If you are what you are deigned to be, you will light a fire all over the world".

Saint Jose Escriva says: "Many Christians have lost the conviction that the wholeness of live, asked for by the Lord for His children, require a true measure of caring in our daily tasks, to make and keep us holy, even in the smallest of tasks.