Getting lost in the white stuff.

Scenario:

Veronica just attended her ten-year high school class reunion. At this reunion, she renews a friendship with someone she used to call her “bosom friend.” After the reunion, they begin corresponding by e-mail. The bosom friend, encouraged by the depth she senses in her old buddy, starts telling Veronica about new insights she has discovered about the spiritual life. Veronica wants to help her friend find Christ, but isn’t sure where He fits in — her friend’s comments are peppered with a lot of half-truths, and she has some confused ideas that sound like they have a New Age flavor. On the other hand, this New Ager never before showed any interest at all in spiritual matters, and Veronica doesn’t want to risk putting the damper on this fervor.
She just isn’t sure where to begin. What should she do? What would you do?


I would ask Veronica to ask her friend if she would be interested in coming to Mass or to a prayer meeting so that she can encounter true believers in Christ and not just what she has heard through the grapevine from her New Age friends. Sometimes the best witness and learning tool is observing others in the Faith. If she continues to be interested in the Faith, then provide some good reading material that is easy to understand and read so that she doesn’t feel overwhelmed by heavy theological terminology. Finally, her friend can be the best witness to the Faith by living it and answering her questions in plain, simple terminology.
Via email

I spent some significant time in my own life searching through the “New Age” and Eastern religions/philosophies. I was really searching for a better understanding of God and thought that these methods were “older” and “more mature” than my own Catholicism. In fact, I had no idea that there was a deep spiritual dimension to my own religion. What woke me up was almost literally stumbling onto the writings of St. Teresa of Avila.

What I would do is begin to introduce the ideas of St. Teresa and St. John of the Cross. Introduce the friend to the depths of Catholic spirituality. I’d do a “compare and contrast” between the New Age generalities about God and the clear personal nature of God as revealed. I’d do my best to introduce my friend to a different view of Catholicism. Without attacking the beliefs that my friend has begun to develop, I’d show the mystical nature of Christianity and how our Catholic approach to God can meet all those yearnings that are inherent in any drive for spirituality. Then I’d pray to the Holy Spirit, St. Teresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross, and St. Therese of the Child Jesus. What I can’t do, they can.
Via email

Since Veronica’s old friend has a new interest in spirituality, it would be a good start for Veronica to raise questions that New Agers can’t answer, such as causality. If God is simply a sum of everything, then what caused everything in the first place? Something distinct and apart from its creation, since what/whomever does the creating, must be more powerful and intelligent than the creation itself. Can a painting create another painting?
Raise questions about reincarnation being illogical. For instance, since we don’t remember past lives (without the use of contraband substances, of course), how can we grow in enlightenment if we’re starting from scratch each time we’re born? Then, Veronica should send an e-mail asking the friend to give her feedback on a book she’s sending in the mail. The book: Surprised by Truth! Heh, heh.
Via email

Tough scenario, but a very viable one that happens everyday. As a Catholic I use my actions more than my words to define my Catholicism. My being exudes spirituality and my communion with our Lord Jesus.
When we genuinely love God and others, this love becomes contagious. Everyone wants to feel that sense of calm, that sense of love, and that inner joy that I feel when in touch with our God. I would encourage the friend in small doses of Jesus and pray for their conversion of heart. Continue to invite them to attend Mass or fellowship with other Catholics.
My husband is Jewish, and a great conversion of heart happened as my soul became open to God. It engulfed him too without his wanting to. We read the psalms before going to bed at night, and his interest in Jesus has never ceased to amaze me.
If the mystery of Christ can spill over unto another being like this, I’d encourage you to tell her friend of the wonders of God and pray for them. Invite her to church. There is enough mystery in Catholicism to compare with New Age. Tough work ahead, but not impossible!
Via email

It’s one thing to have a friend who is uninterested in spiritual matters. It’s another thing if they have also begun to get involved in the lies of the New Age movement. This movement is based on the tenet that we are all part of one big “God,” and that we alone have the power to change our lives and our world. A faith in a loving, merciful God who is above us (we are not God) is often counter to the ego created by following this movement. The worst part about it is that they so believe in their own abilities, they think your beliefs in a loving Father-God type are “silly.” If I were Veronica, I would first listen a lot. There are often many reasons that someone is involved in this movement, a lot of them stemming from helpless times in their lives combined with a simple lack of any real spiritual direction. By first listening, you establish yourself as not thinking that all your views are “better” than hers are. And it’s good to not base this new friendship on your feeling as if you must convert her. Rebuilding the friendship is key here. That’s when people begin to see how you live your life as well (and how God’s working in it!). I try to be open about my faith with friends when the topic arises. Don’t be afraid to show love to this person, and don’t be afraid to tell them what you believe when the topic arises as well. Also, realize that sometimes it won’t be our personal job to convert this person. Often God’s plan involves having a lot of seeds planted by folks like us before God will make a conversion experience bloom in their lives. We must listen to God’s leading especially in these situations. (In your heart is where God will prompt you.)

On a personal note: Once, while working in a large company, I had a boss in my area that was openly New Age. She also knew that I was a strong Catholic Christian and — often it seemed — liked to discuss her views with our small work group. One day in front of another co-worker and me she mentioned how she thought the idea of heaven was boring. “Angels, harps,” she said, “sounds boring to me!” I knew that God was calling me to say something, and having had a recent loving experience of God at my Catholic church, it was all I could do only to look down and say, “I know it sounds boring, but I love God so much, I couldn’t imagine an eternity any more wonderful than just knowing I’m going to spend it with Him.” I was very embarrassed about sharing something so personal, so I walked away. All I remember is that these two people just looked at me with wonder. They didn’t say anything. I’ll never know what they thought of me, but I look back and am glad I shared. Jesus taught by loving example, and so must we. Pray often for guidance, and pray Rosaries and novenas for that person. I find that God works through our prayers, then us. God listens and acts on our prayers! Gotta ask to receive. If it’s His will, He’ll show you how to best witness to this person through His wisdom.
Amy Labataille, via email

Next Issue’s Scenario:
Howard is part of an online Christian family support group. Ninety percent of the e-mail group is Protestant, but the Catholics are welcome. The purpose of this group is to discuss child rearing and discipline in a Christian environment.

During Advent, a controversy arises concerning the celebration of Christian feasts. This erupts into a discussion about the history of these celebrations, and before you know it, anti-Catholic sentiment is flaming up on every side of his computer monitor. After a few days, the flames recede.

The monitor of the group re-states the purpose of the digest and asks that no more comment be made on the subject. Howard has no wish to be hotheaded, but there were several false statements made regarding the history of the Church. He wants to comply with the wishes of the group. But there are several hundred people out there who may be misled by the statements that were made. What should he do? What would you do?

E-mail your two-hundred-word-or-less suggestion to caroline@envoymagazine.com,
or send it to
“What Would You Do?”
P.O. Box 640
Granville, OH 43023.

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