Your first friends as a child are the kids that live in your neighborhood. You can ride your bike or walk to their house. Their backyard is your backyard. You share everything, or so you think. My friend, Erin and I were your typical, inseparable pair of friends "after I took the oath to accept Jesus into my heart of course. .
Before I was allowed to play at Erin's house, her mother called me aside. She introduced herself, Bible in hand, and was quite friendly until her tone shifted and she asked, "So what religion are you?-.
"I go to St. Lawrence's,"" I answered, more interested in the bike ride Erin and I were about to take than a theological discussion, "I'm Catholic."" .
"Well, Erin and I are Born-Again Christians. In order to play here you need to be saved and accept Jesus into your heart,"" she said sternly, though unsure of how I would respond. .
"But I believe in Jesus,"" I assured her, "We learn about him at catechism on Sundays."".
"Well it's about time those Catholics teach something that comes from the Bible,"" she said disgustedly under her breath, "Go ahead and play, tomorrow come over and I will save you, okay?-.
"Sure,"" I said, happy to get out of there, although curious about what "saving me- meant.
That night at dinner, I quizzed my mother about our religion. At nine years old, I never really thought about religion before. I guess I just thought everyone was Catholic. .
"Why are we Catholic and not Christian?- I asked.
"Catholic is being Christian,"" she answered, "And where did this come from?- .
I told her what Erin's mother had spoken to me about. "She's going to save me tomorrow."".
My mother laughed out loud and said, "Save you? Don't worry about Erin's mom, do what she wants you to do if it will make her happy. Some people forget that we all worship the same God."" .
"Mom, how come you don't save my friends?- I asked, confused about everything.
"We go about our religion in our own way,"" she said after another long chuckle.