Why Become A Catechumen?

[Fr Gregory]

In an age in which membership of the Church is seen as no more nor less than membership of any other organization - a golf club, an association of bird watchers, a community garden society - which can be taken up or dropped by the mere payment of a subscription, Mark is showing the courage of uncertainty! It is far better to be honest and unsure than to pretend to be ready or to suppress questions or doubts and go through the forms without being committed to the reality.

The Church would be a far better witness to its Divine Founder with fewer members - truly convinced of their Faith - than with the proverbial "cast of thousands" who simply "signed up" because it seemed like a good idea at the time. Indeed, the Church is strengthened by those who express doubts, ask questions and force us to think about difficult matters.

Mark: remember the Parable of the Prodigal Son. It was not until he was ready, until he "came to himself", that he could rise up and begin the journey of return to his Father.

Orthodoxy does not seek a mindless conformity, the appearance without the substance. Sadly, many who convert on this basis also wander away and are lost.

Take time, ask difficult questions, explore and reflect. The Father's thoughts were with his son even when he was far away, and the Father was watching and waiting for his son to return. The son was not rejected because of the delay - he was joyfully welcomed because, finally, he returned!

As for labels: we are all, within and outside the Church, fallen and imperfect beings. Some of us have diagnostic labels attributed by others which are supposed to explain what's "wrong with" us. No Christian can ever approach another on the basis of any label. We sometimes get caught up in a sort of "sinners' Olympics", wanting to appear less worthy and more sinful than others. But the simple truth is "all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God". The moment we begin to judge others we are claiming a state of perfection which we cannot possess. It is not this sin or that sin that matters more or less, but our "falling short" of the glory of God.

It has often been said that the Church is not a holiday resort for Saints but a hospital for sinners. We all seek healing and wholeness and forgiveness because we all need these gifts.

Fr Gregory