In these times of pandemic, how do we prevent others from falling into a state of indifference to the sacraments? Today, Dave VanVickle and I answer a listener’s question about drifting away from the faith in these difficult times. We have a honest conversation about the urgency of returning to Church, and provide some concrete steps to overcoming the growing indifference to the sacraments.
Snippet from the Show
“Connection is more important than perfection.”
Shownotes
“Jesus is the vine and we are the branches, without him we will wither away.”
Shownotes
Listener’s Question: Overcoming Indifference to the Sacraments
I have listened from the beginning but I wanted to reach out to y’all to see if you have any advice on an issue that I’ve been having and I know others are experiencing as well. Y’all have mentioned it in your banter, but a lot of the people that I serve and even my close friends (many of whom would be considered pretty devote and faithful Catholics) have found themselves falling into a state of numb indifference to the faith specifically to the Church, the mass, and the Eucharist.
We can speculate on what may have caused this, lack of connection over the last year, a withdrawal from the obligation to the mass, etc., but regardless of how it came to be, the truth is that a lot of people seem to feel like they are falling away from their faith and don’t know why. Even though some of them do want to work on it, usually they say that they don’t even know why they should care. I have spoken to them and encouraged them. So far I’ve mostly focused on asking them to remember their own testimony and experience with the gospel and with the Church prior to all of this. I usually refer them to scripture and especially to passages where Paul, Peter, or someone else is specifically proclaiming the gospel.
Response
- COVID exposed the dire straits of many parishes’ finances and struggles before COVID.
- Quarantine has damaged our motivation and resolve across the board.
- We have to rekindle community and invite people back to Church as soon as possible.
- We are realizing many people go to Mass out of duty and not out of love for Jesus in the Eucharist.
Practical Takeaways
- Encourage radical act of Christian charity. Serving the poor can often rekindle the faith.
- Relate the Eucharist to the Kerygma. Share why the Eucharist is such an important of your faith.
- Walk through an examination of conscience with others. Help them reflect on the reasons they are drifting away from the faith.
SPONSOR
Ascension is proud to partner with authentically Catholic institutions and organizations committed to spreading the Gospel. Learn more about the sponsor of this episode, Ave Maria University.
Resources
- Email us at eksb@ascensionpress.com
- Text “EKSB” to 33-777 to subscribe and be added to Gomer and Dave’s email list
- Visit Dave’s website at www.thecatholictruthaboutangelsanddemons.com and www.artofevangelization.com
- Visit Mike’s website at www.layevangelist.com
- Ascension is pleased to offer our new and improved online bible study programs and sacramental preparation programs digitally to help you minister with flexibility. Go to ascensionpress.com to view all our offerings.
Meet Your Hosts
Michael “Gomer” Gormley
Michael spent 17 years in full-time parish ministry and is now the Mission Evangelist for That Man Is You!, a men’s apostolate for Paradisus Dei. Michael is a frequent speaker at conferences, retreats, and parish missions all over the US and Canada.
He is the founder and creative director of LayEvangelist.com, and hosts two popular Catholic podcasts: Catching Foxes and Every Knee Shall Bow.
He is married to his college sweetheart, Shannon, and has four beautiful and hilarious children: Kateri, Cecilia, Noah, and Thomas.
Dave VanVickle
Dave VanVickle fell in love with the Lord at the age of fourteen and has since dedicated his life to bringing others into a radical relationship with Christ.
He is a speaker and retreat leader who focuses on proclaiming the universal call to holiness, authentic Catholic spirituality, spiritual warfare and deliverance. Additionally, Dave has over ten years of experience assisting Priests with their ministries of exorcism and deliverance.
Dave married his late wife Amber in 2010. He now resides in Pittsburgh with his five children: Sam, Max, Judah, Josie and Louisa.
