Those Who Walked In Darkness Have Seen a Great Light

 

I was really happy to have come across an interview that the adorable and hilariously off-the-wall comedian Theo Von did on his podcast "This Past Weekend" with the newly baptized former tattoo artist Kat Von D. Here's a short clip of the two hour interview interview to give some context:

I knew Theo from his comedy, but wasn't familiar with Ms. Von D until I came across some news on Yahoo or something that she was baptized and had become a Christian. I appreciated the interview with Ms. Von D as a baby Christian, and Theo as just a truly authentic, non-judgmental guy. Ms. Von D mentioned that she was expecting to get hate from all sides for her decision to turn away from her former life and to give her life to Christ; but she was surprised that most of that animosity came from Christians themselves who thought that a "Christian should look a certain way", and not her fan base (who were largely supportive and understanding).  

Judgement (especially when it comes to externals) is one of the ugliest sweaters a Christian can don. It ferments hypocrisy, smolders charity, and thwarts evangelism. It should have no place in the Christian life of a believer--and yet it does. As someone who was previously engaged to a woman who was tattooed from head to toe, and who was featured in tattoo magazines (but who have none myself), I know I don't always fit the part myself. 

The funny thing is, converts like Ms. Von D probably have the power, by the Holy Ghost, to lead more souls to Christ who have been lost to the culture--souls that many of us laboring in the field have trouble reaching. If you doubt what God can do with those who don't fit the mold of what a believer should look like, you'd better call Saul (Paul). 

I know I haven't posted much about the liturgical season of Advent we are now in, which is usually my habit--if you want Advent reflections, you're probably better off hopping over to the National Catholic Register or Catholic Digest. But I think there is an Advent message in here somewhere, and it goes back to Isaiah the prophet:

"The people that walked in darkness, have seen a great light: to them that dwelt in the region of the shadow of death, light is risen." (Is 9:2)

Baptism is a shared sacrament among Christians of all denominations (as any convert knows, you are not "re-baptized" when you come into the Church because your baptism in the Lutheran, Episcopal, or non-denominational church conferred grace, provided it was done with water and "In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit"). So, I always celebrate when someone is washed free of Original Sin in baptism, but even more so when they are closer to the grave than they were when they were infants. Do I wish and hope Ms. Von D to find the fullness of truth in the Catholic Church some day? Of course. But we all have to start somewhere, and "we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose" (Rom 8:28).

Ms. Von D also seems sincere in her conviction. She threw out her books on witchcraft, covered the majority of her tattoos in blank ink, sold off her shares in her namesake beauty brand, closed her famous tattoo shop, and listed her $12 million California mansion for sale. It seems she has taken to heart the words of another questionable convert, St. Paul, to heart: "Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin" (Rom 6:6-7). 

We often forget as Christians that "look and play the part" (not to mention being guilty of "majoring in the minors" in our Catholic safe spaces) that the Gospel is branded as "good news for the poor" (Lk 4:14-22). Christ did not come to save the righteous, but sinners (Lk 5:31-32); for it is not the healthy that need a doctor, but the sick. This is also the message of Advent, as well--while most of us are baking Christmas cookies and cozying up around the fire with eggnog and carols and shopping for presents to give to our loved ones, the world outside is steeped in darkness without a light. It is the nature of God in Christ to seek out the lost, to lift them out of the miry pit. Christ spoke in no uncertain terms about those that "wash the outside of the cup while the inside is filled while the insides is filled with greed and self-indulgence" (Mt 23:25-29). 

The poor disrupt our comfort, our spiritual equilibrium--they do not live predictable lives and do not always act in predictable ways. I commend this pastor who taught a valuable lesson to his congregation when he disguised himself as a homeless man and showed up at his own church only to be mistreated. 

But it is for the poor, the lost, those who walk in darkness that Christ has shined the light of salvation on. He became poor among the poor--poor in spirit and humble in means. We really cannot afford to forget that as Christians who make claim to the throne when we should be trying more to be like children. The mantle of the door to Heaven is not high off the ground--only those who are low to the ground will enter through it. 

My heart really swelled to hear Ms. Von D's turning away from the darkness and into the light. May God continue to guide her into the fullness of Truth, and use her for His purposes to bring others home.