Why Catholic? helps teach us how to explain reason for our hope

Published: April 14, 2007

By Father Erik Pohlmeier

Catholics around the state have just completed an amazing cycle in their lives of faith: the 40 days of Lenten preparation, the celebration of the death and resurrection of Jesus, the welcoming of new souls to the sacraments, and now the expectation of the coming Holy Spirit in Pentecost.

Most likely the experience has been deepened for many by including a study and discussion of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. The Why Catholic? program has been adopted in most of the parishes of the diocese and thousands of Catholics are putting effort into understanding our faith more fully.

First Peter 3:15 says, “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that you have.” The Why Catholic? program is a big step in being prepared.

As many have now discovered the catechism is set up according to four pillars of our faith: creed, sacrament, commandments and prayer. Those pillars form what the early Church determined every person seeking baptism should know. Those of us already baptized probably could use a refresher.

In the book “The Love That Never Ends,” four Dominican authors show how these four pillars form the complete Catholic life. “The mystery that transforms our thinking through the creed nourishes our personal and communal lives through the liturgy and sacraments, reshapes our character and conduct through the commandments and reorients our entire lives through prayer.” As the sessions of Why Catholic? Continue each of these areas will be further discussed.

There is much talk about the challenges faced by the Church and society. There is less talk about Catholics preparing themselves for those challenges. We are in a time of hunger for knowledge about the faith that we practice and love, but don’t always understand.

The response to adult study programs is good and is growing. Well-formed Catholics have much to offer to society and there is reason for hope.

The Catholic faith is based on eternal truths about God and his creation, about men and women as the crowning jewel of that creation. The more that we as Catholics brings those truths to bear in our society the stronger we will be. As we explore the question Why Catholic? we come into contact with the power of God’s love and his desire for each of his children to live in his love. All of the big questions of our day must be answered in reference to that love and God’s plan for his creation.

Despite the struggles that surround us, we must be people of hope. We have the promise of Jesus, “I have overcome the world.” Coming to know the faith is a powerful means to grow in trust. We have much to celebrate this time of year. God’s power has been revealed in the remarkable life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

That power is at work through the Church because it is the Holy Spirit who guides and protects her. We should take pride in being called to the life of the Church, and as we continue to know and love her more fully we will discover the reason for our hope.

In these days of Easter joy we pray for a new outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. We pray that all who profess the Catholic faith will find the richness that comes from sharing the very life of God.

Father Erik Pohlmeier is theological consultant for Arkansas Catholic and pastor at St. John Church in Hot Springs.

This article was originally published in Arkansas Catholic April 14, 2007. Copyright Diocese of Little Rock. All rights reserved. This article may be copied or redistributed with acknowledgement and permission of the publisher.