Being a Catholic isn't easy. You have
the devil, you have people and you have yourself getting in the way.
Lino Rulli embodies the struggle of the guy next door living a
Catholic life. This book makes you laugh, makes you cry and makes you
cringe as you read Lino stumbling and fumbling his way through life.
Lino has an uncanny way of making you
think in between his one liners. On soul mates "I can't imagine
a loving God who counts the hairs on my head, loves me, and then
says: 'I’ve created a soul mate for you.. good luck finding her.'"
We have to trust God in being our wingman, but we have to be willing
to take chances. On failure, "lots of people put their failures
in the not-God's-plan category instead of the
I-suck-at-that-category." We have to take responsibility for
ourselves and suck it up sometimes. On temptation, "I fought, I
struggled, I won-and I didn't give into temptation. Not exactly on my
way to canonization, but I'm always grateful to God when I don't
fall." We should celebrate the minor victories in our lives with
God. On confession, "don't imagine you will confess something
original to the priest. That's the sin of pride." This one
cracked me up. Yes, the priest has heard every possible sin under the
sun and the stars (if you prefer sinning by night).
Lino is brutally honest with his
failings at finding a mate, with his pride after winning the Emmy,
with his youthful misadventures (hilarious) and with his big nose.
The chapter on him meeting the Pope is absolutely hilarious. I really
wish I was there through that awkward episode. Or I wish JP-II wrote
a chapter about his meeting with Lino. But the chapter also made me
really want to visit the Vatican someday. Not that praying at the
Vatican is any better than praying at home. But maybe it is just the
ambiance that makes you feel closer to God.
This book has confirmed that "In
the evening of life, we will be judged on love alone." (St John
of the Cross). At the end of my life I want Jesus to say, as Lino
writes, "Eternal life goes to Daniel. Well done my good and
faith full servant." Lino makes Catholicism seem like a simple
yet profound journey. I think I will see my faith in a more joyful
way from here on.
You can also check out his talk show at https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/catholic-guy-shows-podcast/id364049421?mt=2
