The Language of Grace - Again

I'm beginning to ponder the question: how many of us can even think about things that we have never heard anyone else talk about (or write or blog or . . .)?

(At this point, certain persons will observe with a lift of the eyebrow that I apparently can't do so. This is such an extrovert's issue . . .)

Is it? How much of our time is spent truly thinking original thoughts in categories and language that we have not gleaned from others around us? Isn't that why we spend years sending our children to school or home-schooling them? We don't expect them to simply pick it up out of the ozone. How many geniuses do we have among us?

I ask because I am beginning to wonder if our "don't ask, don't tell" Catholic culture makes it difficult for many lay Catholics to think, even privately, about discipleship. Makes it difficult to even have an imaginative category for the subject.

Especially if they don't read Scripture (as most don't). Of course, they could pick the idea up at Mass - if we talked about it there. Perhaps the Scriptural readings and language of the liturgy would do it if they are present and listening intently. Or at home - if someone in their family was an intentional disciple and willing to talk about it.

Or from the media. And who would be talking incessantly about discipleship in the media? Evangelicals. No wonder I run into so many Catholics who think about discipleship in evangelical terms.

Of course, the Holy Spirit is working in our hearts and many of us are responding. But do any of us believe that silent, interior wordless assent is enough to root your entire life? (If it is, may I respectfully suggest that we all become Quakers now - and even they are a notably mouthy lot and write and preach as though words were important).

In any other area of life - relationships, work, education, health care, public life - do we act as though words, as though talking about things of significance, is not important?

Does our "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" culture make it difficult for us to even think about discipleship?