Beyond homilies, Catholics must make time to learn, study the faith

Published: September 4, 2004

By Father James P. West

One of the sad realities of the modern era of the Church’s life is the loss of understanding of the fundamentals of the faith by so many. Even those who are faithful in attendance at Mass will often consider that weekly encounter with God to be their only obligation to their soul. We have the greatest of treasures, our Catholic faith, yet even the most basic questions of faith can leave today’s Catholic speechless and bewildered, grasping and groping for answers that will not come.

Worse yet, one who is unfamiliar with the Church’s teachings becomes dangerously vulnerable to the constant call of other faiths that we leave our church and join them in theirs. As it seems to be presented so often: the great “sleeping giant” of the laity of Christ’s Church was called into action by the Second Vatican Council.

Leaving aside the merits or defects of such a position, with nearly 40 years having passed since the close of the council, it seems in some ways that the giant is sleeping more soundly than ever and greatly enjoying its sweet slumber. Each one of us is on a journey through this life and to the next.

Any journey requires some effort on the part of the one making it. We learn the steps that must be made, seeking the aid of others along the way, but also exercising personal initiative. The greater our knowledge, the easier the journey. We do not throw away the roadmap or show up at the airport without having made flight reservations.

We take ownership of the journey itself and act with the greatest care to see that it is successfully made. We must apply this same method to our lives of faith. How do we learn those steps of the journey of faith? By giving ourselves over to the study of our beliefs. This takes effort and sacrifice. It will not and cannot be spoon-fed to us.

“Father, I never hear a homily at Mass about …” are words sometimes heard by priests. Invariably, the topic mentioned is one which was recently covered in-depth at the weekly RCIA class — a class which is open to all who are interested, including those who are already Catholic. Most likely, no one at Sunday Mass is looking for a 60- to 90-minute homily; nor should they be.

Some things must be carefully presented and cannot be fairly treated within a Sunday homily. We must look around for those teaching opportunities available to us. We must do private reading and study sacred Scripture, the catechism of the Church and spiritual works. Learning the fundamentals of Catholic faith helps us in every way imaginable.

We become well-grounded in our understanding of the truth and better able to explain the faith to others. We become stronger in our Catholic identity and grow in our desire to live what we believe. From one day to the next, we see far more clearly just how our faith must move us in every aspect of life.

The Church’s values become our values. At this time each year school reconvenes, and we are in an educational frame of mind. As studies resume across the land, let’s commit ourselves now to that education which lasts not just for life but into eternity. May we grow each day in our knowledge of God and the desire to put that knowledge into action in every situation of life.

Father James P. West is the pastor of Immaculate Conception Church in North Little Rock. This article was originally published in Arkansas Catholic Sept. 4, 2004. Copyright Diocese of Little Rock. All rights reserved. This article may be copied or redistributed with acknowledgement and permission of the publisher.