There's a saying that "Converts make the best Catholics." I don't know that it's true--it almost certainly isn't--but like a lot of sayings, there is some truth to it.
It makes me think of people who live in a big city, like Chicago (where I'm from).
You can talk to a lot of lifetime Chicagoans and ask them if they've ever visited any of the city's landmarks.
"Ever been to the Field Museum?" Nope.
"Ever take the kids for a picnic on the lake and to Lincoln Park Zoo?" Naah, too crowded.
"Ever see the collection of Impressionist paintings at the Art Institute?" Why?
People can live in the midst of wonders, and never bother to look around.
Sometimes it takes a visitor, or someone who's just moved there, to visit and point out the great features of a place.
I think the same is true of a lot of "cradle Catholics"; they take the faith for granted.
"Do you realize it's literally a miracle at every Mass?" Nope; got to get home before the ball game starts.
"Ever notice how good it feels to go to confession and get all that off your chest?" You're kidding--I just want to get it over with!
"Thanks to my new job, I can now afford to give more money to the church!" What for? Have you seen the Vatican? They've got all the money in the world.
Okay, I'm exaggerating to make a point. But you can probably see where I'm going with this.
Converts to Catholicism can be like eager new residents--they look around and marvel; after all, something drew them to that city in the first place.*
For me, I truly believe that the Catholic faith is literally God's gift to mankind. Let's appreciate it for what it is.
*For the moment, let's leave aside probably the most famous convert of all, the Apostle Paul...
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