Using our handy-dandy Bible, let’s look at what Jesus said. “For my yoke is easy, and my burden is
light” (Matthew 11:30) Sounds like this church thing should be easy. But we have to look at the context. Just before this quote, He is talking about how when
the cross you bear seems heavy, to basically trade with him. If you ask any
Catholic Saint what they do with the burdens and bad things that happen to them
during a day, they’d say they offer it up to God. The give God their burden. I know, personally, when I accepted God
wanted me to go into seminary, it felt as if a huge weight was lifted off my
shoulders. But why would God need to do
this if life in Him was easy? He
wouldn't. Due to the fact that the path
of Righteousness is difficult, God will help carry your burdens.
Another Bible verse to compliment that one, “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road is easy that leads to destruction, and there are many who take it. For the gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life, and there are few who find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14) Which sounds better: the easy, wide road that leads to destruction or the hard, narrow road that leads to life? Straight and narrow! I was in marching band, and I can tell you how hard it is to walk in a straight line, especially when your mind is distracted with other things and you aren't looking straight ahead. The path of God is narrow, not many walk it. Most walk a different path, or even in the opposite direction, and those pathways are wide and inviting. It is clear to me that it is supposed to be difficult, but luckily, God is there to help us. He wouldn't ask something of us and then not give us all we need to achieve it. That’s just cruel, and God is all good.
You also claim the Church is intimidating. This, to me at least, seems comparable to a high school senior about to head off to college. Back in KC, I had decided to further my education at KSU. I could have gone to Johnson County Community College like my sister did. That was an easier path. I could stay at home, eat my parents food, stay in a place I had known my whole life or I could go join a fraternity with guys I didn't really know, be responsible to ensure I am fed and get my school work done, move to a place 2 hours from all that I knew. I know I made the right choice with KSU. Going to a major college was intimidating, but worth it. I knew a few guys from KSU who went to JCCC for 2 years first. Both agreed that if they could do it again, they would go straight to KSU and skip this middle step. Sure the Church may seem daunting, asking so much of a person to believe, but I can guarantee you that it is worth it.
If you wish, you can choose the easy life. But look at the holy people, like Mother Theresa. People don’t do what she did, and live how she lived, if it wasn't worth it. Now, I’m not asking you to move to Calcutta and care for the poor and dying (you can if that is what God wants you to do), because God doesn't call all his children to live such extreme lives; many of us couldn't do it, at least not in the state we are in now. God has blessed those individuals’ lives with many graces, but those graces must be accepted and cooperated with. Therefore, if you don’t start accepting and cooperating with God’s will now, you’re going to be worse off later down the road. What it boils down to is a fairly well known phrase; if it’s easy, it probably isn't worth doing.
As far as actually joining goes, it’s a relatively simple process. We have a program called the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, RCIA. It’s based off of the ancient method of bringing people into the early Church, but with less pouring ashes over your head and more talking with knowledgeable Catholics. You pick a sponsor, an already confirmed Catholic, who will walk with you on the journey down the straight and narrow path. Ever read C.S. Lewis’ The Great Divorce? In his “heaven”, there are giants that have already begun walking the path to God who come back to try to encourage those just arriving to come with them. Your sponsor is like that.
To become a Catholic, there are 3 Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation. Even if you are Protestant, if you have been baptized with water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (all three names and only those three names), then you are one third the way there. Hooray! Celebrate, for that day is the day you are born into Christ and his Church. There is some debate on the order of the next two, but both only further strengthen you for the journey. After about a year of attending weekly classes, you’ll be brought fully into the Church on Easter. At any point during that process, if you feel you need more time to discern if you really wish to join the Church, you may back out; you aren’t contractually obligated or anything. God wills you have free will, and it is beyond the Church to deny you that God given right. But just like Lewis’ giants, we highly encourage you with all we are for you to join us down this straight and narrow. Don’t be distracted by churches that go with the culture, in and out of style. This is not the Church of the steadfast God, but the church of the world. Come with us; join the Church built on a Rock, not on sand.
You also claim the Church is intimidating. This, to me at least, seems comparable to a high school senior about to head off to college. Back in KC, I had decided to further my education at KSU. I could have gone to Johnson County Community College like my sister did. That was an easier path. I could stay at home, eat my parents food, stay in a place I had known my whole life or I could go join a fraternity with guys I didn't really know, be responsible to ensure I am fed and get my school work done, move to a place 2 hours from all that I knew. I know I made the right choice with KSU. Going to a major college was intimidating, but worth it. I knew a few guys from KSU who went to JCCC for 2 years first. Both agreed that if they could do it again, they would go straight to KSU and skip this middle step. Sure the Church may seem daunting, asking so much of a person to believe, but I can guarantee you that it is worth it.
If you wish, you can choose the easy life. But look at the holy people, like Mother Theresa. People don’t do what she did, and live how she lived, if it wasn't worth it. Now, I’m not asking you to move to Calcutta and care for the poor and dying (you can if that is what God wants you to do), because God doesn't call all his children to live such extreme lives; many of us couldn't do it, at least not in the state we are in now. God has blessed those individuals’ lives with many graces, but those graces must be accepted and cooperated with. Therefore, if you don’t start accepting and cooperating with God’s will now, you’re going to be worse off later down the road. What it boils down to is a fairly well known phrase; if it’s easy, it probably isn't worth doing.
As far as actually joining goes, it’s a relatively simple process. We have a program called the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, RCIA. It’s based off of the ancient method of bringing people into the early Church, but with less pouring ashes over your head and more talking with knowledgeable Catholics. You pick a sponsor, an already confirmed Catholic, who will walk with you on the journey down the straight and narrow path. Ever read C.S. Lewis’ The Great Divorce? In his “heaven”, there are giants that have already begun walking the path to God who come back to try to encourage those just arriving to come with them. Your sponsor is like that.
To become a Catholic, there are 3 Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation. Even if you are Protestant, if you have been baptized with water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (all three names and only those three names), then you are one third the way there. Hooray! Celebrate, for that day is the day you are born into Christ and his Church. There is some debate on the order of the next two, but both only further strengthen you for the journey. After about a year of attending weekly classes, you’ll be brought fully into the Church on Easter. At any point during that process, if you feel you need more time to discern if you really wish to join the Church, you may back out; you aren’t contractually obligated or anything. God wills you have free will, and it is beyond the Church to deny you that God given right. But just like Lewis’ giants, we highly encourage you with all we are for you to join us down this straight and narrow. Don’t be distracted by churches that go with the culture, in and out of style. This is not the Church of the steadfast God, but the church of the world. Come with us; join the Church built on a Rock, not on sand.
