It’s more than just being spiritual and religious.

When I first heard the term “Personal relationship with God” I was semi-put off. I had a feeling it wasn’t a “Catholic” way of thinking. When my protestant friend and I started discipleship together in 2017, I was just starting to understand what it meant to be a strong believer in faith, however, I still wanted to do what was right in the eyes of my Catholic faith, and at this time having a personal relationship with God didn’t sound appropriate for a Catholic.

In the few years after 2017 and doing discipleship with my friend, I tried to avoid saying anything along the lines of, “It’s important to have a personal relationship with God” in case it sounded too protestant. Despite coming to terms with this new perspective of Christ. I didn’t want to look like I was abandoning the Catholic faith with this new mindset.

However, after 7 years of reflecting on it, I truly do believe that having a personal relationship with God is the 101 in the Christian faith, and that now, in my Catholic circles I would be confident in saying that. I don’t know why I doubted a simple way of thinking just because I was scared people would think I was a protestant underneath.

The Christian faith can be seen as both a spiritual belief and as an organised religion. However, the Christian faith is so much more than a bunch of rituals and rules that comes with a religion; and more than a spiritual belief in a ghostly figure. If we think about the three common monotheistic faiths, Christianity, Judaism and Islam, it’s so simple, and very common to look at their worship styles and think of symbols, rules, and rituals. In all these rituals that take place in these faiths, there isn’t just an “act of worship” but there is a heart of worship too. A heart that longs to be close to God, and in Christianity, that is our Lord Jesus Christ.

Looking back, my life before 2017 involved a lot of “going through the motions” in my faith. A very loose term when I say “my faith”. I went to Scripture classes in Primary school and a Catholic high school, however, if you asked me about anything to do with God, or what was happening in the Mass on Sunday, I was less than interested, therefore I probably couldn’t answer. I didn't understand Mass or faith, generally speaking, back in the day. I didn't have a connection with God strong enough to call a personal relationship, so because of that I felt that nothing sparked a desire or interest in going to Mass. However now that I’m older, I realise that there will always be times when I feel like I’m going through the motions in my faith journey, and to be honest that’s okay because I believe even if I am half-aware or even partly conscience in prayer, Mass or Bible group, if I keep showing up, God still gives us grace to push on.

I was speaking to a friend a couple of months ago about a parish mission and goal. They mentioned that they would love the mission to bring as many people to Mass as possible. I agreed with them that that would be a dream come true; however, I reflected on what they said and thought that the way to make that possible was first and foremost: prayer, and to achieve a wish to bring people to Mass, its so important for them to have a personal relationship with God. I believe if more people feel close to Jesus, and know and love Him with their hearts and minds, then the other things will fall into place; more people will come to Mass, and church activities, and have desires to serve, and to read the Bible.

Having a personal relationship with Jesus may seem a little over the top, however I believe it really changes lives. It has changed my life, and I'm so very grateful that I can have the opportunity to feel close to Jesus, and to love him with all my heart and mind.