“After staying in Antioch some time,
Paul left and traveled in orderly sequence
through the Galatian country and Phrygia,
bringing strength to all the disciples.” (Acts 18:23)
I have just returned from a motorcycle tour on a route called the Mid Atlantic Backcountry Discovery Route (MABDR). This is about an 1100 miles trek from Southern Virginia in the US to Northern Pennsylvania. It focuses mainly on dirt roads and trails, along with small back country roads thru small towns. This was the 6th time taking customers on this particular ride. It was also the first tour I ever did 4 years ago. At that time I was EXTREMELY nervous since I did not know what to expect. I made many, many mistakes and was sure it was going to be my last tour.
Fast forward to this past week. My familiarity with the route allowed me to focus more on the riders and their learning how to ride better instead of being worried about where to stop, where to eat, what are some of the more challenging sections, how far a distance should I cover each day, etc. As a consequence I was way more relaxed and this spilled over onto the riders. They too felt confident that I knew what I was doing and was able to better enjoy and learn during the journey.
We are currently in the Easter season and many of you, I suspect, attended the Easter Vigil mass on Saturday night before Easter Sunday. During the Easter Vigil, the Church traditionally welcomes new Catholics to the faith as the conclusion of the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults). Candidates are baptized (Catechumens) and then receive their first communion and confirmation (Catechumens and Candidates). While this is the end of the official year-long RCIA process, the reality is that the Vigil Mass marks the beginning of each person’s life as a member of the Church Christ began. It is not the end but is the start of a new life.
The term Mystagogy is used describe the post-baptismal catechesis that begins following the conclusion of RCIA. This period begins at the vigil and ends at Pentecost. During this time, the parish is commissioned to support the new Catholics and continue their formation thru Scripture study, the Sacraments and the teachings of the Church. (As an aside, I am currently doing the Catechism in a Year, with Father Mike Schmitz. I have had little to no contact with the Catechism before this and it is an amazing way of becoming grounded and knowledgeable about our faith. I would highly recommend it. )
But the learning for these new believers should not stop at Pentecost. It is a process that is lifelong. You are participating in this process by reading these “A Catholic Moment” reflections. I know many of you also read scripture daily and participate in Bible Study. Or attend daily Mass and Adoration. For if you are not continuing to grow in the faith you are, in fact, regressing.
Which brings us to the verse I began this reflection with. The context is that Paul is in Antioch. He is getting ready for his third missionary journey. Antioch at this time in history is the third largest city in the Roman Empire behind Rome and Alexandria. It is a hot bed for the new Christian movement and a base for Paul. It is where this new faith was first called Christian. And where is he bound for on this journey? Galatia. Galatia is a region which incudes the cities of Pesidian, Antioch, Iconium, Derbe and Lystra. If these names sound familiar, it should. Because this will be a return visit for Paul. He had previously established churches here with Barnabas. Then again with Timothy and Silas.
In other words, Paul did not just start a new community of believers then leave them to their own devices. In the same way that Jesus did not establish His Church with His apostles then leave them alone. He guided them while He was on earth then sent the Holy Spirit continue Christ’s work and support His disciples.
For many, Catholic education is believed to end in children after they receive Confirmation. But it is precisely at this time that young people need their faith and the guidance of the Holy Spirit in their lives. Most are young people either entering high school or are at the mid point of secondary schooling and maybe on to college. These are times when they will be assaulted by the world and by satan. And we leave them to often fend for themselves. Paul knew this about the young churches he established so he visited them often and also supported them through his epistles…his letters to these fledgling communities. His now familiarity with these regions gave him the knowledge and confidence to teach and convey the Good News to help keep them on the right path. Just as my confidence with the MABDR allowed me to strengthen the skills of new Adventure Motorcycle Riders.
I have mentioned here in the past that we have a need to keep growing in our faith through Study, Prayer and Action. But I think Luke points out today in Acts that we also have an obligation to support those new to the faith or those not as far along in their journey as we may be. It is said that you cannot share what you don’t have. But it is also not worth having if you fail to share. May we participate in bringing strength to all who are new to this path they have chosen.
