Sorry, Holy Spirit, That Doesn’t Fit Our Schedule

What courage it can take to make a phone call!

Every year, I listen to trembling voices on the phone. Their stories vary but the tremble is always there. I’m not sure how I became so blessed to hear these voices but I do know that I am. You see, these are not calls from folks asking about parish events or requesting baptismal certificates or planning a wedding or baptism. 

These are calls from people seeking to become Catholic.

Some have discerned for years. Some were visitors at a wedding or funeral and “felt something” inside the Church. Some have resisted making the call because they were hoping the feeling would pass. Some have no clue why they are calling but they know something in their lives needs to change. Some are nervous about even asking questions because, as they tell me, they’re afraid they will “sound stupid.” Some burst into tears and can barely tell their stories. Some are firm about doing this but are nervous about how their families will react. Some are lost and wounded but they say “I have to do this.” Some are stunned they are calling but they “heard” in their hearts a strong voice saying “do this now.” 

What courage it can take to make a phone call!

These calls cannot be rushed. They do not want to just be told “RCIA is on Tuesday nights at 7 p.m. in the library. See you then.” (The caller's first question is 'what in the world is RCIA?') It takes time for some of them to even know what they need. Some desperately just need to tell their stories. Others want to be reassured gently that they can do this. Some are so excited they tell you so over and over. A few aren’t sure that they can go beyond the phone call. Some are ready to begin NOW but then don't follow through this year but will the next.  

What courage it can take to make a phone call!

Calls like these require all of us to respond as spiritual mothers and fathers. We need to listen, encourage and guide gently. The caller is someone’s child who wants to come home. Like parents, we need to be flexible at times, too. This may mean making time to instruct and guide a soul who cannot attend your RCIA class. It may mean having a soul start instructions at a later date than noted on your RCIA schedule. It may mean that you go to them if they physically cannot get to you. Most of all, it means we need to pray for all of these spiritual children who want to come home.

The Holy Spirit has been busy – do we really want to be responsible for sending a soul away because he or she can’t follow our RCIA schedule? Sorry, Holy Spirit! We started class already! Sorry Holy Spirit! We only meet on Tuesday evenings! Sorry, Holy Spirit! We don’t do evenings or weekends.

What courage it can take to make a phone call! 

What courage will we show in answering that call?