The Brave and the Bold
Posted on: February 28, 2013
I enjoy Pinterest and its treasure trove of ideas. But until I started creating boards to go with my blog, I didn’t know there were so many Catholic boards and pinners—individuals, publishing and craft companies, religious organizations, and so on.
Inspiring quotes are a popular type of Catholic pin. One I’ve seen often lately is “Be bold. Be Catholic.” Sounds almost like a dare, doesn’t it?
The average person might not think to put “bold” and “Catholic” in the same sentence. But I’d like to ask two questions:
- Why not?
- How can we be bolder in living out our faith?
Maybe you’re shy like me. Or maybe you’ve just noticed how challenging it is to live out your faith today, when some people think that science can explain away God or that tolerance means giving no outward sign that you even have religious beliefs. But I take comfort in the fact that even the apostle Paul asked people to pray for him so that he would be bold in sharing the gospel:
“Pray at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that utterance may be given me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.” (Ephesians 6: 18-20, Holy Bible, Revised Standard Version, Second Catholic Edition)
As for the second question, I have a few thoughts on ways to be bold. Some of these suggestions are very small steps, and some might be out of your comfort zone—and mine.
- Putting up faith-themed decorations, both seasonal items such as window clings featuring the crosses on Calvary at Easter and items that are part of your regular décor such as framed icons, prayers or scripture verses.
- Wearing religious jewellery such as a rosary bracelet or a necklace with a cross or saint medal.
- Liking the Facebook pages for Catholic organizations, movies, musicians, or publications; retweeting or commenting on tweets from Catholic feeds on Twitter.
- Reading a religious publication such as Catholic Digest or a Christian novel while you’re waiting at the doctor’s office or for your child to finish a music lesson or other activity.
- Saying grace when you go out for meals.
- Offering to pray for a friend’s ill relative, or letting your friend know you’re praying for that person, and asking others to pray for you and your family.
- Attending Mass on Saturday evening when an event is planned for Sunday rather than skipping church “just this week.”
- Observing holy days by attending Mass and by fasting and abstaining from meat as required.
- Supporting the political party whose platform best lines up with your beliefs or letting your elected officials know that you oppose the legalization of euthanasia.
- Speaking up when you hear offensive or mocking comments about Catholics or the Church or a statement about Catholic beliefs that you know is untrue.
A Catholic Convert in Ottawa 