If you are lucky enough not to have then allow me to explain what a "resting" catholic is.
Many years ago, before we were as clever as we are now, we had what was commonly known as a "lapsed catholic". This was a term generally applied to those that once practiced the faith and for what ever reason ceased to do so.
Now however, "lapsed" is now seen as harsh and judgmental so some bright spark coined the description,"resting catholic".
I suppose the phrase counjours up images of Mr and Mrs Nice having a nice cuppa and refraining from the harsh prescription of getting out of bed on a Sunday morning to go to Mass.
In reality though, the only person "resting" is Satan.
If we are not going to Mass, if we are not going to Confession we are denying ourselves the saving Graces of these sacraments. Our souls are certainly not at rest.
Is there any term more ironic therefore than "resting"?
Do you suppose this term has been coined to make us feel better? That the great apostasy is only the great siesta?
That we are merely finding ourselves, taking a break, chillin', rather that endangering our immortal souls?
I know there are some who would deny that anyone born since 1953 actually has a soul to save.That we can just carry on doing whateva' because.whateva'.
Now I would like to hope that our Diocesan event to "Evangelise Resting Catholics" would, you know,evangelise, fallen-away Catholics, so they would ultimately be let to repentance and reconciliation. But the cynic in me wonders if once again it is a case of, "How can we water-down/change/deny Church teachings that embarrass us so people will think we are cool after all"?
Until we stop using such innane marshmallow-fluff phrases, why should we believe it?
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