Find your path to God

November 23, 2007

My dear friends,

Did you know we have more than 75 spiritual movements in the archdiocese?

We have Marian movements such as the Legion of Mary and the Schoenstatt apostolate. We have youth movements such as Encuentros Juveniles (Youth Encounters) and Amor en el Principio (Love in the Beginning). We have spiritual renewal movements such as Cursillo and Charismatic Renewal. We have prayer groups based on Ignatian spirituality and fraternal organizations such as the Knights of Columbus. We have service organizations such as the Council of Catholic Women and professional associations such as the Catholic Lawyers Guild. We have groups for young adults such as TEC (To Encounter Christ) and Castos por Amor (Chaste for Love).

These myriad movements represent different styles of spirituality and, therefore, different pathways to God. An Emmaus retreat might change someone’s life, while someone else might be brought closer to God by membership in a Jesuit-inspired Christian Life Community. No single movement or type of spirituality motivates everyone. Different styles of prayer and worship, different approaches to God, attract different people.

The important thing to remember is that no group is better than any other and every group is necessary, since the Lord touches people in many different ways.

Unfortunately, once we join a group we tend to think it is the best, the one offering the greatest impetus for conversion — and we try to convince others to join. That, too, is part of the process of evangelization, but we must know when to step back. We must know enough to acknowledge that other people might find God along a different path.

I remember when I was a pastor in New Orleans how different members of the parish would exhort me to adopt their particular style of spirituality by joining their group. The same thing happens among parishioners. Those whose lives have been changed by a particular retreat experience are so eager to share their good news that they ignore signs that others may not be suited to walk the same path.

Danger also lies in believing, or acting as if, membership in a particular movement is more critical to a soul’s salvation than participation in the parish life of the church. That can lead to elitism which relates to the early church heresy of gnosticism.

We are not the only ones, of course, who have this problem. Twenty centuries ago, St. Paul had to warn the Christians in Corinth about much the same thing:

“For it has been reported to me about you, my brothers, by Chloe’s people, that there are rivalries among you. I mean that each of you is saying, ‘I belong to Paul,’ or ‘I belong to Apollos,’ or ‘I belong to Cephas,’ or ‘I belong to Christ.’ Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?” (1 Cor 1:11-13).

We were, indeed, baptized in the name of Christ and Christ is not divided. Just as he found disciples along the different byways of Galilee, he reaches out to us today through different spiritual and apostolic groups and movements. None is greater than the other; all are brought together in Christ.

As we begin the season of Advent during our golden jubilee year, I encourage you to find your own path to a more intimate relationship with God. If you are thirsting for a spiritual life, now is the time to attend a Legion of Mary meeting, experience a charismatic prayer group or make an Emmaus retreat. If one movement or prayer style does not suit your personality or nourish your faith, try another.

There is no “right” or “better” pathway to God. Each way is a help to live the law of love, which is the supreme pathway to the Father.

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