Having said that, I would like to ask, “Why did I decide to become a Catholic?” A more relevant question to you would be “Why am I still a Catholic in the twenty first century?” The answer for this question is the Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit that guides me to find a reason for hope and still inspires me to remain in the Catholic Church.
Let’s look at the first reading. The Spirit of God came to rest on unregistered or unofficial members in the community. Joshua was shocked to hear that, asking, “Moses, my lord, stop them.” But Moses answered him, “Would that all the people of the Lord were prophets! Would that the Lord might bestow his spirit on them all!” Apparently, Joshua believed those who were not recognized by the authority were not eligible for the Spirit. In other words, his view would be similar to the church’s famous sentence: “There is no salvation outside the holy Roman Catholic and apostolic church.” As a matter of fact, through the centuries, several councils and popes have insisted that. However, Moses’ proclamation is clear that the Lord bestows his spirit on all regardless of their faith, race, and culture.
Jesus says, “Whoever is not against us is for us.” This is the vision of the Second Vatican Council. It says “All humanity including two-thirds of non Christians are most dear to God and therefore we ought to believe that the Holy Spirit, in a manner known only to God, offers to every human being the grace of being blessed by the paschal mystery…For it is God, who gives to all life and breath and every other gift, who, as Savior, calls that all be saved.”
This is why I am a Catholic, trusting in the Spirit who moves beyond human understanding. I have seen many fundamentalists who insist that they have the truth in which only those who belong to them are to be saved. I have heard many evangelicals who say that non-Christians are doomed to death. Maybe some of us want to insist that as well because of a lack of understanding about the Spirit’s power to afford the grace of salvation to all people.
Sometimes, we are Joshua or John in the gospel who tells the Lord to stop others who are contributing to the kingdom of God only because they are not one of us. For those, I am proud to say, “I am a Catholic!” in the sense of Gandhi’s words: “I am a Christian, and a Hindu, a Muslim and a Jew.”
This Sunday gospel ends with these words which is not included in the lectionary: “Everyone will be salted with fire. Salt is good, but if salt becomes insipid, with what will you restore its flavor? Keep salt in yourselves and you will have peace with one another.” Being a Catholic is to keep salt in yourself. Many argue there are other more interesting kinds you can keep in yourself: sweet, pleasure, indulgence, entertainment and ecstasy. But keep salt because it is what is most important. Everything else is secondary. Salt is a symbol of highest value, a treasure incalculable worth, so excellent that if its flavor is lost, there is nothing higher that can restore it. Salt, then, is the relationship to God that brings peace among people. So that’s why staying related to God means life; breaking that relationship means hell. Keep salt in yourselves and you will have peace with one another.
Why am I still a Catholic? Because I had tasted “quality salt” in my grandpa and the Spirit assures me that he is at peace in the communion with God.