Pink Mohawks in Church!

Evangelizing your neighbor really does mean embracing the lost sheep

By Robert Wiesner

Pope Francis pictured celebrating Mass in 1998 in a poor section of Buenos Aires, Argentina (CNS photo)

A book recently appeared which relates the conversion story of a, shall we say, “differently-gendered” university literature professor. The Secret Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert by Rosaria Butterfield details the interesting process of a move from rabid secularism to fervent belief. Although she actually became a member of a conservative Calvinist congregation, her story brought to mind the teaching of our current Holy Father regarding evangelizing in the streets!

In her courses, Professor Butterfield had occasion to read the Bible as just another piece of literature to be analyzed and studied objectively. She rapidly found that such an approach to Scripture simply did not work; she could make no headway in understanding what appeared to be a random collection of widely divergent writing styles and literary genres. Through a series of “coincidences,” she came into contact with a Presbyterian minister who agreed to help guide her through the intricacies of Biblical writing. He did not condemn, he did not proselytize, he did not preach to her: he befriended her in the certain knowledge that the Word of God would do the necessary without his intervention.

University literature professor Rosaria Butterfield

The Secret Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert by Rosaria Butterfield

Over a period of some months, they met regularly, usually at the minister’s house with his wife providing wonderful meals and her own special insights. Of course, at some point the professor ran into the inevitable question: “What if this is true?” So began a process involving a complete makeover for a troubled life.

As it happens, the Presbyterian congregation involved was a rather traditional group. There were a number of families fully devoted to homeschooling; the mothers were not so very certain about associating with a “woman with a past,” but Professor Butterfield would confront them with “Jesus forgave the adulterous woman. What are YOU going to do about ME?” Needless to say, the process was a healthy one for all involved. The professor became a springboard for spiritual struggle and growth; she asked questions which all Christians must ask (and answer!): “I gave up a girlfriend to be here. What did you give up?”A rather staid church found itself actively confronting a world which they had tended to ignore, even to shun. A new energy and purpose steadily grew among the congregation; they were forced out of their insular attitudes and petty prejudices in order to confront the vast question, “What does it mean to preach to the whole world?”

There is a story about then-Bishop Bergoglio when he was first consecrated in BuenosAires. Each day, the parish priests with some of the faithful would distribute food in the poor sections of the city. Bishop Bergoglio approved of the practice, but he did insist that before the food was taken to the streets, everyone involved must spend an hour in Eucharistic adoration. The food would then be distributed, but it would be understood that more was involved than simple social action. Adoration would ensure that Christ was taken to the people along with the food. Nourishment became a complete ministry; while taking care of bodily needs there was added the incredibly important dimension of feeding souls spiritually as well.

Discipleship is tough; the costs involved go well beyond simply dropping money into a collection plate. Engaging with those who most need Christ is exhausting and usually emotionally draining. A thank you is not to be expected, while often enough a curse might be the reward. Seeds planted in a soul may not take root for years, and so a tangible result may never be observed.

Father Paul Quillet, SMA

There is a missionary priest in Africa whose work involves a semi-nomadic Muslim tribe of shepherds on the Sahara’s southern fringes. Father Paul Quillet, SMA, once delivered a sermon in his home country of France which touches on precisely what discipleship means: each morning he witnessed the chief of the tribe rising and immediately going to the flock. He greeted each sheep by name, and caressed each individually. Only after tending to the sheep did the chief greet his family and other members of his tribe and eat his breakfast. Father Paul saw in this Muslim chieftain what Jesus meant when he enjoined believers to leave family and friends to tend to God’s business.

Small wonder that Father Paul chose to make Psalm 23 his first translation of Scripture into Fulani, the local language: “The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want…” His people immediately understood the imagery of the Psalm; they see the principle in action every day. Father Paul also completely grasped the meaning of Pope Francis’ remark that pastors must “be fragrant with the smell of the sheep!” Father Paul has yet to see conversion among the Muslims; any conversion must involve an entire social group, the whole tribe. He recognizes that he has been given by God a unique monastic calling to witness to Christ in a difficult situation and to plant seeds of faith which may not grow for generations.

One lesson Father Paul takes from the Fulani is the vitally important task of taking the sheep out from the fold; without proper pasture the sheep soon sicken and die. Pope Francis has stressed the point that a church which remains enclosed in its small parish/sheepfold also sickens and dies. A pastor must lead his flock out from the fold and find spiritual nourishment in good works outside the parish church and the home. The church frequented by Professor Butterfield found itself renewed and invigorated by the infusion of rather strange new blood.Catholic parishes must take this lesson to heart.

Missionaries In various parts of the world grow used to seeing outlandish sights in their churches, perhaps a bone through the nose or horrific scarring on the face. The Church grew by incorporating barbarians into the Mystical Body. Well, America has become barbarian territory. But the frightening human sights one sees on any city street should also be seen in our churches.

Mother Teresa

Catholicism has been aptly described as a hospital for sinners. There is enormous need for healing in our sad modern American culture; with good reason did Mother Teresa describe us as the most poverty stricken people on earth. For the culture to regain health, there is an urgent necessity to bring as many sinners into the hospital as quickly as possible. Catholic parishes might begin to regain their health and vitality once the neat suits and trim haircuts begin to be punctuated by leather and pink Mohawks! But, conversion is rarely accomplished without time and struggle. Vicious habits sometimes take a lifetime to overcome, so it would be no surprise if barbarians coming into our hospital are not immediate paragons of virtue. Our Church is not a Church for saints, remember, but the last, best hope for sinners. Catholics must accept “the smell of the sheep” in the parish. Actually, all Catholics have a whiff of ovine aroma; no Catholic can say in good conscience, “Thank God I am not like others, like this poor addict here, for instance.” Under some circumstances, every one of us can be an addict, a thief, or a murderer. In ALL circumstances, however, every one of us IS sorely afflicted with pride, a vastly more deadly sin than any addiction.

The Good Shepherd, altar baldacchino at St John Lateran

A natural reaction of traditionally-minded people when confronted with the unusual is to shy away, to feel a bit threatened. The appearance of rough-looking bikers or creepy Goths at Mass might be a bit disturbing, but the proper reaction would be an approach with a greeting and “Good to see you here. Let’s have coffee and you can tell me your story.” Every aspiring saint will find immense spiritual growth by encountering the earnest efforts of sinners to better their lives. A repentant great sinner, after all, has learned much more about humility than those whose sins are somewhat less scarlet.

Some sins and situations might demand attention beyond the capabilities of the average parishioner, of course.There certainly is a singularly grave aesthetic sin involved in a neon pink Mohawk! But, the mercy of God, we can be assured, extends even to this heinous crime…