The Romance of Religion

At the beginning of this new year I am filled with the spirit of adventure and I encourage you fellow travelers to put away your worldly concerns and launch out again on the adventure of faith, which is the romance of religion.

What I mean by the romance of religion is not the sentimental meaning of romance--all chocolates and candles and heaving bosoms--instead I use the word 'romance' to refer to the great romances--those stories of heroes and quests and slaying of dragons and rescuing of fair damsels. To embark on this sort of romance is to step out of boat and walk on the waves. It is to take the step of faith, the leap into the unknown. It is to "cast all your care upon Him." and walk once again by faith and not by sight.

To do this means that in some way--maybe even a seemingly small way--but a way that you are able--you take a risk. You consider the way of the world which is the way of safety and security; the way of insurance policies and practical concerns--the way of prudent investments and cautious relationships, and you value them for what they are, but you also put them (even if just a little) to one side and do something daring for the deity.

How will you take that risk? There are a multitude of ways. You may give an amazing amount of your time or treasure to the Christ you love. You may attempt again to forgive the person who it is much more comfortable and pleasing to hold a grudge against. You may decide to embark on a career that is difficult and arduous, but which will be ultimately rewarding. You may quit a job which is going nowhere, and the stress of which is not worth the salary they pay. You may decide to reach out to the poor, the needy, the prisoners and the worthless ones. You may finally take up that hobby you always intended or you may just decide to read those books you intended to read. It may be something small, or it maybe something great. You may decide at last to respond to God's call and become a priest, a brother, a sister or a monk or a nun. You may propose to that fair maiden or marry that man, or climb a mountain or sail a ship across the ocean. You may have more children, or love the ones you have even more. You may, at last, truly repent of your sins and find Christ your King. You may finally decide to become a Catholic after all, and stop your dithering.

Whatever this romance is, whether it is great in the world's terms or seemingly small, I encourage you to embark on the adventure. However, I also warn you. If it is an authentic adventure for Christ you will be mocked and ridiculed and misunderstood. Those who cannot or will not embark on such an adventure will fear you and dismiss you and shake their heads sadly at your foolish choice, for what you are doing in the world's eyes is an act of irresponsibility. You will be thought an idiot and a fool.

I am speaking of the idiocy of Don Quixote or the flamboyant foolishness of Cyrano de Bergerac. I am speaking of the foolishness of the saints and the wild abandon of those who are truly sane.

If you have the courage to take such a step--even if it is a tiny step--you will not only be misunderstood and ridiculed, but you will go through a time of fear and uncertainty. You will doubt yourself and your wisdom and discernment--and this humility will take you forward. You will fear for your future and your finances and your family, and this fear will take you forward. You will long for the security and safety of home--the love of those who have rejected you and the admiration of those who think you a fool--and the loneliness of this road will move your forward, for all these fruits of the adventure of faith will be a better medicine for you than all the safety and security and power and prosperity and pride the world has to offer.

So this new year I offer you the romance of religion. Walk by faith, not by sight. Do something beautiful for God. Engage in the beautiful struggle.

Live life to the full, and most of all--do not be afraid.