“How can someone experience Jesus as their Savior if they don’t even think or know that they need to be saved?”
Monsignor Charles Pope, “Back to Basics! Recovering a Catechetical Vision that is Simple and Foundational“
When I read that quote from Msgr. Pope, I thought to myself, “Yes! Wow! That is exactly right. That is the key to all our problems.”
It gave me the inspiration for writing this post. So, I sat down to write “X Reasons Why You Need a Savior.”
Then I realized I don’t know why you need a Savior and who am I to tell you anyway?
In fact, I’m not even sure I knew why I needed a Savior before sitting down to write this post.
Saved from What?
Okay, I’m Catholic and we Catholics tend to get uncomfortable with the word Savior. It’s unfortunate and it’s true. We need to get over ourselves and start using savior language again. Christ is our Savior even if we don’t mean it in the same way other Christians talk about being “saved.”
So then, what is this Savior saving us from?
Maybe I should be more afraid of Hell, but I’m not. You won’t find me preaching Hell fire and brimstone anytime soon. I’ve just experienced the confident love of God too many times to be afraid of going to hell.
Frankly, I’m much more afraid of hurting people I love. I’m afraid of letting people down, especially my wife and kids. I’m afraid of letting God down. I’ve got big dreams (thanks to Him) and lack the means to get there on my own.
And in a lot of ways, I think that describes Hell exactly: separation, anxiety, fear of rejection, fear of not being loved by others, feelings of not being important or special, losing the love of God.
So, a Savior in my mind saves us from separation, indifference, emptiness, insignificance, and lack of purpose.
Why I Need a Savior
Why do I need a savior? Here’s are the first twelve ideas that popped into my head:
- There’s too much suffering in the world for me to handle.
- I try but often fail.
- Life on my own is empty.
- Without faith, I don’t see the point.
- I sin (separate myself from God and others) more than I’d like to confess.
- I have a hard time forgiving myself.
- I don’t like getting rejected.
- Sometimes there’s no help for the hurt.
- Being a dad is, frankly, impossible without a little grace.
- How could I be a good husband without God for that matter?
- I know not what I do.
- I’m selfish.
Thanks Monsignor Charles Pope for challenging us to consider the need for salvation.
(photo credit: waitingfortheword)
