Monsignior Peter Buchignani, a former pastor of mine in Memphis,
Tennessee, would start his RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) classes with a simple question: “What is the
First Fundamental of Faith?” RCIA at St. Francis was more like an open forum of
Catholic exploration. There were definitely people there who were interested in
converting to Catholicism and often their sponsors and family would join them.
But the class was also open to anyone in the parish or in the community who
just wanted to know more about Catholic practice and belief. Wednesday evening
would start with food and socializing; all the food was brought by people in
the class and would range from chips and salsa to homemade casseroles and cakes
and pies, and, occasionally, I would bring a few Little Caesar’s Pizzas. On a
teacher’s budget and as a single man, my budget was limited; give me a break.
It was the
perfect question to ask a class of people who either had no background in
theology or who had some other Christian background. Come to think of it, even
if no one has any concept of God, this is the perfect question. “What is the
First Fundamental of Faith?” This might be a term that Msgr. Buchignani made
up; I certainly have not seen it used in any “formal” theology. The responses
came slowly at first; no one wants to be wrong. “Believe in God”, someone would
say after raising their hand and making eye contact with Monsignor. “That is a
great answer!” he would respond. “But no”. It was hard to pick up on his sense
of humor, a mixture of stern and serious sarcasm and mockery. “Repent for your
sins!” another person would respond. “That is the best response I have ever
heard,” he would say, “but that is wrong too.” His wry smile would communicate
his Love and care for everyone there despite the caustic rejection of any
answer. “Come on, folks…the First Fundamental of Faith? Anyone? Don’t share if
you have taken this class before!” Grace, a student I was sponsoring into the
Church, rose her hand meekly and when Monsignor called on her she said, “God
Loves me.” He Looked at her intently, smiled, and said, “In all my years of
teaching this, no one has ever gotten that question right! ‘God Loves me’ is the
First Fundamental of Faith!” I was so proud of her and I still am, even though
I found out later that Daniel, her then-boyfriend and now-husband (whom I had
sponsored through RCIA the previous year) had told her the answer!
“God Loves me.”
Monsignor. Buchignani made it simple. Faith, on the most basic level, is not
actually about us. Theologically, if we are talking about the transcendent,
then the focus of belief cannot be the one who believes, but rather, it must be
that which one directs their belief. To borrow the image, if the believer
is the river and the object of belief is the source, the river cannot rise
above the source. To say “God Loves me” reveals the nature of God as Lover, to
borrow another image from St. Augustine, regardless of the one whom He Loves.
That is, the First Fundamental of Faith does not say “God Loves me because I
did this or that”; it simply says “God Loves.” Monsignor is really invoking the
words of St. John: “God is Love.” This really is the most important thing that
one needs to know in Christianity. Christianity is less about who we think we are and more about who God is.
(Me and a few close friends in Christ.)
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