A faith of the heart

We are all converts on some level.

I suppose I am something of a revert: a Catholic since a baby who left for a bit and then came back. I suspect this story is quite common.

Many people go through life in a different religion, or no religion at all, and find that they have a faith and become a Catholic outwardly. Even those who are called cradle Catholics go through some conversion, because at some point, everybody has to look inside themselves and go into that room in the heart where God is and speak frankly with him. We cannot 'inherit' our faith from our parents - they can teach and show, as they should do - but we make our own choices in life, because when we come to face the Judge at the end of days, it is us - and only us as individuals - who will be asked the questions.

Our Holy Father reminds us of ancient teaching from our fathers in faith: that Christianity is not blind, but it is a reasonable, rational religion, illuminated by the gift of faith.

I wished to explode with joy yesterday when someone told me how they wished to learn more about the faith before starting a new job. Many Catholics don't really know much about their faith because they have never been taught it or have never looked, partly, it is said, because they were brought up with it in the family and it wasn't exactly questioned. My friend said he had largely missed out on learning the facts because his was a faith of the heart.

It just comes naturally. Questioned, undoubtedly, but when it comes to the crunch, it is always good to see someone who feels God in the heart, whether they understand what they believe or not.