Why "practice" Catholicism?

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Murphs10

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I was speaking with a Protestant (non-denom) who is very opened minded about Catholicism due to the history of the Church and the writings of the ECFs. The woman is a wonderful Christian and a great example for anyone in terms of loving the Lord. I believe her love for Christ is what keeps her mind open. I would love her to be able to experience the fullness of the Catholic Faith.

Of course, she feels that having a personal relationship with Jesus is what Christianity is all about and she asked “why do I need to practice a religion?” She attends Sunday worship services and Bible studies, but I don’t think she understands what we Catholics are all about. I have explained the basics of the Faith and showed her the Catholic position on a few things in Scripture and she has had positive reactions to all of it. But I don’t think she has grasped why any of it, no matter how historically accurate or not, has any implications for being a Christian and having a personal relationship with the Lord.

I care for her very much and do not want to offend her in any way, so I was wondering if anyone has any advice on where to proceed next? Thanks.
 
I see practicing Catholicism and my personal relationship with Christ as kind of the same thing. Not exactly the same, but there is so much overlap!

If we love Him, we obey His commands, right?
 
Garyjohn2 said:
I see practicing Catholicism and my personal relationship with Christ as kind of the same thing. Not exactly the same, but there is so much overlap!

If we love Him, we obey His commands, right?
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It is very much the same thing. The Sacraments bring us into a closer relationship with Our Lord - Father, Son and Holy Spirit. They are incredible gifts from God.
 
Murphs10 said:
I was speaking with a Protestant (non-denom) who is very opened minded about Catholicism due to the history of the Church and the writings of the ECFs. The woman is a wonderful Christian and a great example for anyone in terms of loving the Lord. I believe her love for Christ is what keeps her mind open. I would love her to be able to experience the fullness of the Catholic Faith.

Of course, she feels that having a personal relationship with Jesus is what Christianity is all about and she asked “why do I need to practice a religion?” She attends Sunday worship services and Bible studies, but I don’t think she understands what we Catholics are all about. I have explained the basics of the Faith and showed her the Catholic position on a few things in Scripture and she has had positive reactions to all of it. But I don’t think she has grasped why any of it, no matter how historically accurate or not, has any implications for being a Christian and having a personal relationship with the Lord.

I care for her very much and do not want to offend her in any way, so I was wondering if anyone has any advice on where to proceed next? Thanks.
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Hi, there.

You might be able to show her what being Catholic means through something many parishes still provide.

Beauty and reverence.

If possible, invite her to Mass at a parish with high-church architectures if there is one in your area. She’d be able to see the glory we try to reflect to God in our houses to Him. She can see how priests perform their holy work, and how the laity show respect.

She can see how we celebrate Christ crucified, for it was that act and not the cross itself that bears the power of salvation for all.

She can enjoy the readings as you note that every Mass has at least two Bible readings and a homily that discusses what was read (a mini-Bible study). Illustrate that the Mass is available every day, not just Sundays, if one cared to go.

You can invite her to any other parish to show how wonderful it is to receive the same readings anywhere she goes, and yet be able to read herself anytime, anywhere.

Hopefully, you can illustrate that “being spiritual” without a strong connection of community to a church home is far more powerful in appreciating God.
 
I would suggest looking at the Gospel of Luke. You will find Jesus’ family practicing religion when they present him in the temple in chap. 2. You will find Jesus practicing religion when he is baptized in chap. 3. In Luke 4:16 Jesus went into the synagogue on the sabbath “as he usually did” and took his turn at reading — practicing his religion.

In practicing religion you are following Jesus.
 
I don’t ask my doctor why he practices medicine, I’m just happy he does. Just tell her why you practice Catholicism and maybe she will be happy knowing you do.
 
Murphs10 said:
I was speaking with a Protestant (non-denom) who is very opened minded about Catholicism due to the history of the Church and the writings of the ECFs. The woman is a wonderful Christian and a great example for anyone in terms of loving the Lord. I believe her love for Christ is what keeps her mind open. I would love her to be able to experience the fullness of the Catholic Faith.

Of course, she feels that having a personal relationship with Jesus is what Christianity is all about and she asked “why do I need to practice a religion?” She attends Sunday worship services and Bible studies, but I don’t think she understands what we Catholics are all about. I have explained the basics of the Faith and showed her the Catholic position on a few things in Scripture and she has had positive reactions to all of it. But I don’t think she has grasped why any of it, no matter how historically accurate or not, has any implications for being a Christian and having a personal relationship with the Lord.

I care for her very much and do not want to offend her in any way, so I was wondering if anyone has any advice on where to proceed next? Thanks.
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You could ask her where in the Bible it says just have a personal relationship with Jesus?

Peace,
Mark
 
Murphs10 said:
I was speaking with a Protestant (non-denom) who is very opened minded about Catholicism due to the history of the Church and the writings of the ECFs. The woman is a wonderful Christian and a great example for anyone in terms of loving the Lord. I believe her love for Christ is what keeps her mind open. I would love her to be able to experience the fullness of the Catholic Faith.

Of course, she feels that having a personal relationship with Jesus is what Christianity is all about and she asked “why do I need to practice a religion?” She attends Sunday worship services and Bible studies, but I don’t think she understands what we Catholics are all about. I have explained the basics of the Faith and showed her the Catholic position on a few things in Scripture and she has had positive reactions to all of it. But I don’t think she has grasped why any of it, no matter how historically accurate or not, has any implications for being a Christian and having a personal relationship with the Lord.

I care for her very much and do not want to offend her in any way, so I was wondering if anyone has any advice on where to proceed next? Thanks.
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Tell her:

Receiving Christ into your body and becoming one with Him is THE MOST personal relationship with Christ that anyone could have…

Tell her that the rest of the Body of Christ is missing her.

CC
[SIGN]I love my papal Papa[/SIGN]
 
I think perhaps approaching it from a different angle may help. Catholic is not something I DO, it is what I AM. I do not “practice” my faith, I live it. It is who and what I am. Before I am an American, I am Catholic. Before I am a wife, I am Catholic. So when I say that I am Catholic, it is not that I follow rules, dogmas, Traditions, - whatnot - it is that I belong to Christ, I live according to His commands. To separate me from my faith would be to separate my bones from my flesh. Being Catholic is so much more than towing the line and following the rules - it is knowing in your soul that it is Truth and Goodness, Grace and Love. And that it all flows to us through the Sacraments of the Church.

Dunno - she still may not get it. But that’s how I feel about it. 🤷

~Liza
 
lizaanne said:
I think perhaps approaching it from a different angle may help. Catholic is not something I DO, it is what I AM. I do not “practice” my faith, I live it. It is who and what I am. Before I am an American, I am Catholic. Before I am a wife, I am Catholic. So when I say that I am Catholic, it is not that I follow rules, dogmas, Traditions, - whatnot - it is that I belong to Christ, I live according to His commands. To separate me from my faith would be to separate my bones from my flesh. Being Catholic is so much more than towing the line and following the rules - it is knowing in your soul that it is Truth and Goodness, Grace and Love. And that it all flows to us through the Sacraments of the Church.

Dunno - she still may not get it. But that’s how I feel about it. 🤷

~Liza
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Great post.
 
The main advantages to being catholic are:

The sacraments, which provide the grace of God. First, the eucharist, when we eat Jesus’ body and drink his blood, he becomes physically part of us. As Jesus says in John 6," if you don’t eat my body and drink my blood, you have no life within you." It is this life within you that allows you to do the good works set out for you. Second, Reconciliation, which in a tangible way returns us to the state of grace after we fail through sin and sets us on the path to holiness. It is these two grace filled sacraments that provides a hugh salvation advantage ot Catholics over other baptized Christians.

Catholic tradition and community: For 2000 years, Catholics have helped each other on their journey to holiness through prayer and example. The saints before us have left us with lessons and devotions that help us follow Jesus more completely and the saints around us help us to improve our lives through the corporal and spiritual works of mercy…
 
Murphs10 said:
I was speaking with a Protestant (non-denom) who is very opened minded about Catholicism due to the history of the Church and the writings of the ECFs. The woman is a wonderful Christian and a great example for anyone in terms of loving the Lord. I believe her love for Christ is what keeps her mind open. I would love her to be able to experience the fullness of the Catholic Faith.

Of course, she feels that having a personal relationship with Jesus is what Christianity is all about and she asked "why do I need to practice a religion?" She attends Sunday worship services and Bible studies, but I don’t think she understands what we Catholics are all about. I have explained the basics of the Faith and showed her the Catholic position on a few things in Scripture and she has had positive reactions to all of it. But I don’t think she has grasped why any of it, no matter how historically accurate or not, has any implications for being a Christian and having a personal relationship with the Lord.

I care for her very much and do not want to offend her in any way, so I was wondering if anyone has any advice on where to proceed next? Thanks.
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I think lizaanne gave a great answer. I would just add, isn’t our religion a matter of observing (living out) all that Jesus and the apostles taught?

Mt 28:
**16 **Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. **17 **And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. **18 **And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. **19 **Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, **20 **teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always…

If one looks up the definition of religion they will find in the definition all that happened in this passage.
  • worship of God
  • teaching/instruction in specific belief
  • spreading this faith
  • commitment to belief/faith
  • living out, certain beliefs and practices
 
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