One of the signs of a shrinking Christianity is when the Church conforms to society. This is the case more today than yesterday. Sadly the Church is becoming less relevant in the lives of individuals.
People seek faith because of what faith has that cannot be found amongst men.
The Church must always exist in both worlds, that of belief and non-belief, else the Church can never be found by those who seek to believe.
Yet we in the Church must realize that those who find faith have sought what they couldn't find elsewhere. So we must not conform to what is elsewhere, but remain in the beyond, ever vigilant to the Spirit, and always abiding in the divine.
This is what having a Catholic lifestyle entails. Living in both worlds so we engage both the realm of believers and non-believers, else how are we to share the joy of the Gospel? We do not become non-believers, nor even appear to be like them in any meaningful way. Yes, we may have our dark nights and questions, but in those moments the light of faith must still shine brightly, though we might not see it. So we must live distinct lives from them.
Our way of life must invite by seeming familiar while also intriguing the non-believer to not just pass by but stay awhile. Our lives must be so compelling that others do find it hard to believe, BUT not impossible. Compelling because of grace (God's presence), not impossible because of merit (our virtuous efforts). We must be examples of the "unbelievable reality" that is the Catholic Church.
