New Christians

One of the most exciting things I have been involved in over the last 2 years is RCIA at Saint Louis Church in Batesville.  For those unfamiliar with the abbreviation, RCIA is the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults.  The exact structure varies from church to church but the end result is new Christians brought into the church at Easter Vigil.

As a parent, it is always exciting, and a little nerve wracking, to have your child baptized.  It is a huge responsibility that you take upon yourself to bring your child up in the faith, to introduce them to Jesus and His teachings and set straight their path.  Choosing to discover faith (or a different faith than the one you were brought up in) as an adult is a whole different ballgame.

I said choosing but really faith is not a choice but a gift and often times it is a gift that is revealed at different times in our lives.  Some are blessed with an abundance of faith right from the start.  Others it seems live most of their life without an outward sign of faith. It is not up to us to judge someone based on the amount of their faith gift, but to encourage and support them where they are.  We want to bring more people to Jesus, not discourage them.

With RCIA, I have had an incredible opportunity to share and deepen my faith.  Just like with children, you think you are teaching them until one day you turn around and realize they had been teaching you all those years, RCIA has taught me more than I am sure I have passed along.  As children we had Sunday School or CCD as we Catholics call it.  But as adults we must be much more intentional about our faith education.

Today is a two part challenge.

First, I challenge you to pursue ways you can get involved, study and deepen your faith.  This could be more prayer time, visiting Jesus in the adoration chapel, an organized bible study or a mom's group.  There are infinite possibilities.  Sometimes we do a bad job of asking what is available if it is not right in front of us in the bulletin or in the announcements at church.  So this challenge might require just a little leg work from you or maybe just a phone call.

Here's a free hint to make it a little easier, many churches do missions during Lent.  This is an easy and great way to meet some new people and deepen your faith without a huge time commitment.  Saint Louis is hosting a mission next Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.  If you want more details, I would be happy to provide them.

Second part of the challenge, welcome someone into the church.  This could be that new person you see attending your church service or someone joining the church at Easter.  It could even be your neighbor who you have never discussed religion with before.  We get all too comfortable with our routine and sometimes forget to look beyond ourselves.

We sit in the same pew every week, talk to the same people before and after church and shake the pastor's hand afterwards.  We even get upset when someone "new" doesn't realize that is "our" pew and instead of introducing ourselves or just striking up a conversation we (grumbling) find a new pew.

So step outside of your Christianity bubble and do something new with your faith today!

God Bless!
Hannah
The Farmer's Wife