No weight of evidence, no nail-scarred proof of death, or glorious risen light can compel you or me to believe. We come to believe, we move into the realm of faith, as an act or personal daring acceptance. We accept our Lord’s death and resurrection for us, we experience his presence within and about us, we celebrate his love among us as gifts received in faith—nothing more, nothing less. Thomas walks around in all of us (John 20:19-31), because our coming to believe in Jesus, our faith in Jesus, is a journey of awareness that takes us from absence to presence. This coming to believe journey was the experience of all the first followers of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
- Deacon Robert
“Don’t proselytize; respect others’ beliefs. We can inspire others through witness so that one grows together in communicating.
But the worse thing of all is religious proselytism, which paralyzes:
‘I am talking to you in order to persuade you.’ No. Each person dialogues,
starting with his and her own identity. The Church grows by attraction,
not proselytizing.”
~ Pope Francis’ “Secrets to Happiness” (#9 of 10)
