Think Catholic

The Theta house across the street from the Catholic Center has a banner that hangs from its second floor balcony that says "Think Theta". I’m not exactly sure what that means, but I know a few Thetas and it seems like it should be a good thing.  For a long time, we’ve wanted to hang our own banner in front of the Catholic Center as a response, of sorts, that says something clever like, “Think Catholic” or “Go Roman” (as in, “Go Greek”).

What would it mean to Think Catholic, anyway? No, it’s not an anti-Greek slogan or anything like that, or even a subtle claim to be an alternative “club” to join.  In fact, it helps to consider that the word “catholic” means “universal”.  Universal hardly implies exclusive or sectarian.  To Think Catholic means to think broadly, fully, expansively.  To Think Catholic means that what we believe about Jesus applies to every nook and cranny of our lives and world, not just the religious or spiritual parts.  To Think Catholic means that God sees you as the Beloved no matter where you find yourself, even whether you acknowledge that love or not.

To Think Catholic means that how we act on our beliefs, through Mass and the Sacraments, in service and in study has global, even cosmic ramifications.  In other words, to Think Catholic, is the opposite of the self-centered “Me and Jesus” spirituality that is typical of a culture that champions individualism above all else and seeks a “god” that is more personal life coach than Creator of All That is Seen and Unseen. When we make God pocket-sized we do so at the expense of authentic life lived with and for others.

This semester, challenge yourself to Think Catholic in class, in relationships, in rehearsal, at practice, in chapter meetings, at work, with your family.  But don’t forget: you can’t Think Catholic alone. That would be an oxymoron. To Think Catholic is a way of life. Authentic life is shared life. That’s why SMU Catholic offers small groups and other ways to connect with those who are seeking to become everything God made them to be. That is, to Think Catholic is to Live Catholic.  If we all did that, then we wouldn’t need to hang any banners at the Catholic Center – we would all become walking, breathing ones.