Expert: Michael Clark, Ph.D. - 6/1/2004

Question
Dear Dr. Clark,
I've grown up Catholic but never really would consider myself to be been a practicing Catholic. In light of the recent church scandals, I have turned my back against the church. Now that I have graduated college, I find myself empty in the spirtiuality department. It's like, I want to believe in Christ, but I find too many contradicting questions getting in the way. Questions regarding why evil exists, why God is not talk to me, If something good happens, it seems that "were blessed" yet if it doesnt "it's God's will"... to me, it was a 50/50 chance to begin with. I'm currently reading CS Lewis' "Mere Christianity", it helps a little. But what can I do to restore my faith in the church and in myself?  

Answer
Patrick.. someone said to me recently that we all undergo a daily process of conversion. That means that we're all alternating between faith and frustration (with imperfect stewards, and also with our own imperfections). I think that if you were to go to Mass with the realization that we're all just people, and not perfected saints, that might help. Try to look for God when God is speaking (and acting) through other people and priests. But try to understand and forgive when it might not be.

What I'm talking about has to do with the gift of discernment. I think it's something we can all develop, if God so wishes. It means recognizing God's call. But also, as Christ has said, "to be wise as serpents and harmless as doves."

Often with great Good comes great Evil. If I didn't feel powerful graces at the Mass, I just wouldn't attend. But if I don't go, I begin to feel empty too. So I am now attending on a near-daily basis.

If you can try to believe that Jesus comes to town every single day (in the Eucharist), why would anyone want to miss that!

Best of luck. Feel free to follow up or contact me again down the line..

Michael