Catholic intellectual & author George Weigel has a new book out "The Courage to Be Catholic: Crisis, Reform and the Future of the Church." In the current Envoy Magazine, Weigel is quoted as saying "I think Catholics want to be challenged to live radically Catholic lives."

As a cradle Catholic who was born again in her faith 3 1/2 years ago, tell me HOW TO DO THIS! Love to hear suggestions on reading materials, etc. I realize this boils down to 100% obedience to Jesus Christ and His Church, but how do everyday folks gain understanding on just exactly what it means to be orthodox and how to implement this in their Christian walk?

(If anyone remembers, I was on the board late summer 2001 after God revealed my sin of contraception & sterilization to me, I went to confession and would love to have a tubal reversal in order to give my body back to God, but hubby not willing...please pray!)

-- Cindy Brown (cindybrown@gorge.net), April 29, 2003

Answers

-- (@@@.@), April 29, 2003.

how does one serve the Lord? there are many ways, abraham was a loyal servant, moses led Gods people, David was a king, Bernadette a nun, Padre Pio a priest, and the list goes on. Find the deepest inclination of your heart and follow it. The church is the body of Christ, and we all fulfill different roles within the body. Some are called to holy orders, to eucharistic ministry, to visit the sick or imprisoned, to fund raise for the poor, to pray for sinners, to enter apologetics, to enforce church doctrine, and so on and so forth. How do you live a radically catholic life? there is no exact formula other than living a good catholic life (in following the moral law of the church) and serving the Lord in the best way you know how. that is what allows the great diversity of the catholic church and what makes us so great

-- paul (dontSendMeMail@notAnEmail.com), April 30, 2003.

Here's some suggestions from someone struggling with the same issue.

1)Start with Scripture: read it daily 2)Think Christian: Try to apply christian principles to EVERY situation. Don't be afraid to express your christian viewpoint openly in any discussion whether it be politics or shopping. There is always a christian way of looking at things. "The Christian Mind" by Harry Blamires is very good.

3)Be brutally honest with yourself: the way St. Francis and St. Augustine were. Don't be fooled by the numerous ways we justify our unchristian ways of life with talk of expedience and being practical. Christianity is neither expedient nor practical in worldly terms.

4) Don't be afraid of ridicule: It will come from all quarters once you start. But that's what Jesus told us to expect.

5)Pray as often as possible: Short exhortations are very usefull.

Good Luck and pray for me; I'd be praying for you.

-- Angelo (anglead56@hotmail.com), April 30, 2003.

Cindy Brown, I found that falling madly in love with Jesus came first, and the Church gives me the tools to celebrate that love, to nurture that love, stay close to Him and equip me with the power to love others.

Everyday folks can read their bibles, everyday folks can sit at a table and talk to Jesus, can drive in the car and talk to him, can grocery shop with Him, can seek Him in all things. He just wants to be intimate with us, and heal us so we can gladly be intimate with Him. The Church helps us in all aspects of our relationship with Him, and all aspects of our relationships with each other.

A key to succesful implementation of this life is to be a part of a vital prayerful community of one-minded people who have hearts for Jesus, and humble hearts submissive to the authority of the Church. Much like the new communities we're reading about in Acts this week. This is our protection, and assurance we're discerning correctly. There's nothing the Holy Spirit can't accomplish through open hearts to Him. I'ts refreshing to hear you again, Cindy. love, Theresa

-- Theresa Huether (Rodntee4Jesus@aol.com), April 30, 2003.

Prayer: daily if possible, both formal and informal

Sacraments: weekly Mass if not daily, monthly confession...

Spirituality: essentially a means to the end of personal holiness.

Most spiritualities provide moral and intellectual formation (the heart and mind) via writings from some saint or spiritual guide, as well as opportunities for social interaction, mutual support, edification, etc.

Apostolate: this is a natural fruit of prayer, sacraments and spirituality - and it also helps us "stay real" in that you really know how much you need God in your life when you try to do something good for other people; spiritual or corporal works of mercy, etc.

So it continues to be true that the more things change, the more they stay the same: ora et labora, pray and work... prayer always leads to the sacraments, and work always leads to cooperation with others.

Faith always includes receiving a gift from God, and Love always includes giving ourselves as gift to others....

God bless,

PS examples of good spiritualities abound: Legion of Mary, Focolare, Neocatechuminate Way, Regnum Christi, Opus Dei, Charismatic Renewal...

Like anything Catholic all the above have detractors - most of whom have next to no extensive experience or contact with the spiritualities in question. They'll also have less than perfect members - like any parish or any of us! "Means to perfection" doesn't mean everyone involved are perfect - all are trying to be!

-- Joe (joestong@yahoo.com), April 30, 2003.

Hello Cindy,

You may want to consider seeing a good spiritual director on a regular basis, such as a priest, deacon or nun. This can be a valuable tool for anyone's ongoing quest for spiritual growth. If you specifically see a priest then you will also have the opportunity for the Sacrament of Reconciliation within the spiritual direction sessions.

God bless, -Eric

-- Eric Filmer (midgardia@hotmail.com), May 01, 2003.

Hi folks, thanks for the input & suggestions. How's this: LIVING A LIFE OF FIDELITY TO THE TRUTH. Now, how do you wade through all the information, documents, encyclicals, books, teachings, etc to be able to fully implement everything over time? So far, I have found that the Holy Spirit leads me down a path of obedience, one area at a time, revealing sins and non-conformity in my life as He deems me ready to deal with it. Like the "Great Hulk" breaking off his constricting clothes, or a clay cast breaking off as the figure within emerges...pieces of sin and self slowly breaking off as I become more willing to change and work to please God. Happy spring!

-- Cindy Brown (cindybrown@gorge.net), May 03, 2003.