"We Don't Know What Normal Is"





  In Chapter 2, Sherry Weddell explores the relationship that develops in "normative Catholicism," which she calls three "journeys."  The first journey is the personal, interior journey of relationship with Christ, that results in an intentional decision to follow Him.
 
One of the things she points to as an obstacle in forming this personal relationship is a lack of proclamation of the story of Jesus.  It seems so simple... share the story... and it makes so much sense.  How can we follow someone we don't know?

Have you ever tried introducing someone you don't know- or don't know well?  Awkward and usually superficial right?  This is no casual relationship we are called to, and we must be absolutely convinced of it's importance in our life if we are to help others in their own encounter with Christ.  The reality is, if we do not have a personal relationship with Him, our connection with his Church loses meaning and is drastically weakened.

I want to share two experiences of coming to know Christ in the scripture.  The first is lectio divina, or divine reading.  Just practicing reading the same passage slowly, several times and taking time to journal about what I read- free-writing, really- I found that different words, phrases, and images stood out to me.  I also found that if was reading the same passage over the course of a week or more, different things would strike me.  What this showed me is that scripture is truly a living word- it still matters today- and I know it does because one of the first things I usually find myself doing if I take time to reflect, is thinking about things that are happening in my life.  In other words, it was an experience of there being "Someone" on the other end of the conversation.

The other experience is what I call a "personal reading" of scripture.  I have seen this in SPRED sessions, and basically it consists of the proclamation of a short Gospel passage, and then at the end, the catechist goes quietly to each member of the group, takes their hands gently, and gives a message from the Gospel, beginning "today Jesus says to you..."  Though it is the same message given to each person, it was incredibly powerful to experience the Gospel stated in such a personal way.  It is downright startling to hear the Gospel as a message TO YOU, but that is what it is.  Scripture is so alive that it is at once a word to the Church as a whole, and an intimately personal word to each of us.  In a group for children or adults with intellectual disabilities, ability and functioning vary widely, yet there was a prevailing sense of peace, and quiet, and receiving- a response simply of joy. 

Weddell makes a good point that often we are silent, even uncomfortable about talking about our relationship with Christ. I admit that I am. It is so much easier to talk doctrine than to say what Jesus means to me, particularly with those closest to me, and the more I avoid it the harder it gets.  So this is our challenge- to have the courage to let our enthusiasm shine, to be creative and engaged, ask questions and most of all, to know for ourselves and be ready to give "the reason for our joy."

I'll finish as Weddell finishes "We must be convinced that all the baptized...will eventually be called to make a personal choice to live as a disciple of Jesus Christ in the midst of his Church"

Writing this has called to mind this song - I'll present it today as encouragement in our climb up the mountain!