It’s not always about facts, most times there is a whole lot more! Whenever I work with people who want to enter the church, I always meet the ones who want the facts. They are hungry to know everything about the religion. They want things explained, they want to understand, they want to memorize and they want to recite. I worry about them…..
It’s not all about the facts, remember that age old distinction between knowledge and wisdom? It’s all about the relationship….. Cultivate a relationship, nourish that relationship, spend time there, listening with an open heart. God will reveal to you all that you need to know.
We can become so clinical when we stop at the facts. They are important, but they are not the whole story. The Pharisees knew that facts, but that didn’t seem to be enough for Jesus.
Knowing only facts leads us to be judgmental
Knowing God leads us to love
Reflections on the Journey 
Andie, how heartwarming to read this post. I’m on the RCIA team in our parish and our emphasis is also on relationship with God rather than the doctrines and creeds which will come later. I have had to speak with the sponsors about that as well because often they feel the need to see tangible proof that the candidates and catechumens are ready to move forward. It is all about living in relationship with God and with each other. It is such a blessing to be involved in RCIA.
Yes Lynda, it is RCIA that I’m speaking of. Pray for me because I’m going to address this on Sunday. Thanks for sharing and for the affirmation!
When I was on the RCIA team, I remember those candidates, and sometimes sponsors, who wanted everything in black and white. To know the position of the Church so as to be in order with It. Introducing the concept of conscience and reading so as to inform one’s conscience and explore creative ways to a new situation…
The search never stops really. Maybe this is what makes the search forever fascinating and certainly never boring.
I so agree, Claire. Black and white, hmmm, not seeing much of that these days!
Odd. I woke up this morning with the thought – Jesus said, ‘You search the scriptures thinking you find life there, but you dont come to ME, that you might have life.’ I remember as a new Christian being eager and hungry, and ‘eating’ everything indiscriminately, but God is merciful, wise and kind, in His time, He sorted the wheat from the chaff, and revealed the kernel of the matter – John 17:3 And this is the real and eternal life: That they know you, The one and only true God, And Jesus Christ, whom you sent.
Thanks for taking the thought further, and confirming that that is something I should be meditating on today!
Thanks for that..and I will reflect on your words as well!
It’s all a question of stepping out in blind Faith. Daring to believe without any facts. Now that’s difficult.
God bless.
Oh it sure is Victor!
Thanks for that! And I will reflect on your words as well!
Hi Andie, glad I found you again. So true that we should concentrate on knowing God more than just facts to be memorized and recited.
Oh Bernadine, and I’m so happy to be ‘found’ by you. Yes, I was away from blogging but am back now. Thanks for ‘holding on’
Haven’t you and I seen too many people focused on the facts of religion and lose the essence of the love of religion? It seems like their “factual faith” never seems to hold up as well or provide as much comfort.