It wasn’t long ago that the mention of a “small faith group” would have sent me scrambling for the nearest exit. If offered a choice between participating in one and shaving off my eyebrows, I would have had to get back to you.
In my head, I envisioned a gathering of my least favorite stereotypes, known to anyone who has taken part in a committee, table discussion or group activity. The Dominator, ready to share on any topic, usually without a point. The Wanderer, set to lead the discussion on a journey to faraway lands. The Whiner, armed with a litany of complaints and a captive audience. The Rebel, ready to disagree with any position, even should the pronouncement come from God Himself. All of them would be waiting to bore the socks off me. Then, there was the subject matter. What could I possible share about my faith that others would want to hear? And, more to the point, why would I want to listen as someone went on and on and on about their own beliefs? No, thank you.
If you haven’t already guessed, I wound up in a small faith group. My only explanation is that God shoved me forward when they asked for volunteers. It wasn’t my idea. I placed my hopes on the video that would be played at the beginning of each weekly meeting. Perhaps it would leave the group with little time for talk. No such luck.
When we got around to the dreaded discussion portion of the meeting, the first thing I noticed was my knee-jerk reaction when I didn’t agree with someone’s comment. As a revert, I’ve spent time informing myself on Church teachings and the reasons behind the positions She takes. The process has brought me peace. To me, those members of the group who questioned those teachings were poor, misguided people, and it was up to me to bring them into the proverbial light. Fortunately, the rules of a small faith group–respect everyone’s opinion and don’t argue–kept my advice from escaping my lips. Fortunate for me.
By swallowing my initial responses, I was forced to listen. Really listen. What I learned revealed a great deal to me…about myself.
Different Points of View Rise Out of Different Experiences
To be a Catholic requires sacrifice, and that includes sacrificing my own opinion and submitting to the teachings of the Church, knowing that She is guided by the Holy Spirit who knows a tad bit more about things than I do. That being said, people rarely have opposing views simply to be contrary. They grew up in different circumstances, with different family dynamics, and sometimes in different countries than I did. They may be at a different point on their faith journey, standing in the very spot I once occupied myself. By avoiding the temptation toward self-righteousness, I was able to recognize that their experiences were as valid as mine were.
People are Complex
I learned to see people, really see them, as children of God, as whole people. Those who I had categorized as so much different from me often shared the same insights on many subjects, and those I thought would be simpatico on every topic disagreed with me on surprising points. It became clear I couldn’t judge and categorize someone based on one phrase or incident, or even two. Or three. If I had an unpleasant encounter with another member, that did not make that person a gremlin. He or she was a human being with points both good and bad.
Hard as it is to admit, I do not exist in a perpetual state of sweetness and light either.
It’s Not My Job to Convert the Masses
I can share my own experiences, quote apologists, and point to the Catechism, but only the Holy Spirit can convert hearts. That’s both disappointing and freeing. Disappointing, because my ego places me at the center of any situation. Freeing, because the responsibility rests on the shoulders of God.
My experience with a small faith group brought me humility. It brought me closer to Jesus, because I saw Jesus in each and every one of the participants. It allowed me to take the time to see the beauty in the people around me instead of passing over them in a rush. It also brought me into two additional small faith groups. This time, I volunteered.
Copyright 2016, Jacqueline Vick
Jacqueline Vick
Jacqueline Vick is a devout Catholic, wife to a wonderful guy, pet parent to a troubled mutt, and mystery writer. Her website is www.jacquelinevick.com.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.