The Way Brings Intimacy with God

This appeared in Pacific Daily News dated August 21st. It was written by Kevin Camacho who is a resident in Houston, Texas. 

The Way Brings Intimacy With God

The Church has put her imprimatur on the Neocatechumenal Way.  As noted by previous submissions, the Church examined the authenticity of its charism, and the efficacy of its contribution to the Church's mission.  

Although it's not for everyone, it has saved many in Guam and throughout the world.  Ask any priest who has been formed in a Redemptoris Mater Seminary, any married couple who has learned what it means to live their marriage as a sacrament of salvation, any youth who has attended a World Youth Day Pilgrimage.  The Way brings people into an intimacy with God that is very hard to find in the current model of the parish.

• Critics have displayed poor form.  Personal attacks detract from meaningful discourse.  Ad hominem attacks take away credibility.  The mode of criticism has been outright shameful and embarrassing, unbecoming of Christian leaders. 
• Criticizig aspects of the Neocatechumenal Way.  Many have charged everything from blatant disobedience to the pope and violation of liturgical mandates.  Address concerns responsibly and maturely.  Stop with the the nonsensical clamor. 
• True motive of dissenters.  What is the genuine motive of these critics  Do they think that this will encourage people to come back to Church  
• Financial transparency.  People donate their time, talent and treasures to the Church.  Since Jesus said you cannot serve both God and money.  It is important we lives as if our true treasures is in heaven and not in our bank accounts.  Knowing where our money goes is important to maintain trust and confidence in the Church as the steward of our temporal goods.  Demanding financial accountability of our Archdiocese is not only a good thing, but it is imperative.
• Zero-tolerancy policy is a good policy.  Protecting our children is our first priority.  Our archbishop has the responsibility to ensure children safety.  A zero-tolerance policy within our archdioecese is a great thing, but I don't think the problem people have concerns this policy. 

If you're unsure about something, look it up!  If we really want to know what the Neocatechumenal Way is all about, read what the Church fathers are saying, what the congregations responsible for safeguarding the Church against erroneous teaching are saying.  Let us stop the gossip and the vitriol.  Let us not give occasion for the evil one to sow discord among us! 

In the yea 2000, my pastor invited me to attend a series of catecheses.  It was during a time when my family was going through a difficult time.  We sought the Church in the midst of a crisis, we needed an answer in the face of our suffering.

As a young man, with a poor foundation in faith, I was lost in cloud of sin, despair and fear, questioning my life and the tragedies before me.  I needed more than a Sunday Mass, a lecture or pep talk.  Little by little, like a patient mother, the Way brought me into the bosom of the Church.  Introducing me to the Word of God, as more than a historical commentary or inspirational stories but as a living testament to the presence of the God among his people.  I heard of the covenant He makes with Abraham and his descendants. I, too am a descendant of Abraham, a Chamorro from Guam. 

Secondly, I heard the announcement of his saving power.  Every Christian must announce the Kerygma.  It is the duty of the Church to announce this victory of God valiantly, with joy and with unrelenting courage. 

I learned that the sacraments are not just mere ritual practices, but deeply reverent gifts where Christ is present and among us.

I thank God for having come to me through people who traveled far to announce a news.  God exists, he has not abandoned you, he loves you as you are, jungmental, arrogant, self-centered, afraid, a sinner.  He comes to offer you an alternative.  Be free from evil, let go of hate, learn to detest all that is impure.  Be clean, be forgiven. 

Our archbishop welcomed strangers to our island, just like Kepuha did, and it is in this invitation that a seed was planted.  As Guahan received the missionaries three and half centuries ago, the archbishop's "yes" bore fruit.  His yes has saved countless marriages, enabled many to be born who wouldn't have otherwise, has fostered many vocations to the priesthood and religious life.

Let us pray that the holy spirit enlighten our minds and hearts, and bring us to reconciliation with our brothers.

Kevin Camacho is a resident of Houston, Texas.