This summer, CatholicMom.com is hosting an on-line book discussion group for Sherry Weddell’s Forming Intentional Disciples. Each session will focus on one chapter of the book, and yours truly is participating. Hit the link above to see all of the participants, and to find the discussion questions.
The second threshold of discipleship, per Chapter 6 of Forming Intentional Disciples, is a passive kind of curiosity. The individual, based on the bridge of trust he has formed, is interested to hear more. He’s not at the point to go out seeking that information, and he’s not yet open to changing his life, but he’s willing to listen, at least up to a point.
What interested me in this chapter was the discussion of what we as Christians can do to foster and encourage this kind of curiosity. Sherry Weddell emphasizes that it is specifically curiosity about Jesus Christ that matters; and that to awaken it and encourage it to grow, we have to be willing to talk explicitly about Jesus, Jesus himself: because the Christian life is first and foremost and essentially all about a living relationship with Jesus. And this seems to be tricky for us Catholics: we’re willing to talk about doctrine and about apologetics and about the Church, but to speak directly about the person of Jesus and our relationships with him is challenging.
It got me to thinking…how can I do that? How can I speak about Jesus to those I meet? My first conclusion was that simply introducing Jesus into a conversation that didn’t previously involve Him is going to be tough for an introvert like me: “Hey, you know, Jesus was telling me last night…” or “What’s up with you?” “It was so cool! I learned something new about Jesus! You shoulda been there!” But then, I’ve never been a dab hand at introducing faith into the conversation, even in more general terms.
So my second conclusion was that on those occasions when I’m already speaking of religion to someone else, I need to center my remarks on Christ rather than leaving him in the background. He is at the center of my life and my faith; I need to put him at the center of my speech. Just what would I say? That, I’m still pondering.
The View from the Foothills 
Well…as a convert/revert sort of hybrid I can relate. Everyone who knew me as not Catholic had to have their “coming to Jesus” moment and see that I was Catholic. How did I introduce it? My actions mainly, but more importantly I openly and happily spoke of my weekends – I cantor at church, or my sons just got baptized, making confession for the first time. All in all, I was really excited and happy about all of it. It’s kind of infectious. My longest friend – going on 20 years…just said – you’re really active in your Church, huh? Wait till we get together tomorrow (it’s been 4 years) she doesn’t even know what she’s in for! Net net, if you feel it, say it, be it, do it and always love it all.
LikeLike
Oh, absolutely. No one I talk to regularly is going to be unaware that I’m Catholic, or that I lector at mass, or that my eldest was just confirmed. But that’s exactly what Sherry Weddell calls “talking about the Church” rather than “talking about Jesus”. It’s a good thing, mind you: it can be a bridge of trust, and it might lead people to ask questions. But we need to talk specifically about Jesus as well.
LikeLike