Let’s assume I was unknown to you.  You come across me in International Plaza, clipboard in hand – looking very official.  I ask and you agree to answer several questions for my survey.  How would you answer:  “Who are you?  How would you identify yourself?”  Maybe pause here and mull over the question a bit before reading on.

I was reading recently (Patricia Datchuck Sánchez) that as part of an experiment for a sociology seminar, a student spent an afternoon at a local mall asking the same questions to several dozen passersby.  The answers were as varied as the respondents.  Some identified themselves by their role in their family:  “I’m a grandfather.”  “I am a wife and mother.”  Others did so in terms of their occupation:  “I’m a sales clerk.”  “I work at the music shop.”  “I teach at the community college.”  Some identified themselves along ethnic or racial lines:  “I’m an Afro-American.”  “I’m a third generation Italian American.”  A few simply offered their age and/or gender as a means of identification:  “A forty-three year old man.”  “I’m seventeen!”  A few people offered character traits:  “I’m an honest, hard-working individual.”  Some described themselves in terms of their feelings or physical condition:  “I’m happy.”  “I’m exhausted.”  Several, thinking that a political poll was being conducted, responded as regards to their chosen party:  “A Democrat.”  “I’m Republican.”  Still others claimed their city or state of residence as a means of identification:  “A life-long New Yorker.”  “I’m from Texas.”  A few respondents answered the student’s question by designating their religious affiliation.  “Christian.”  “Baptist.”  “I’m an agnostic.” and one person simply rattled off his Social Security number.

I suspect the context and location of the question might change the answer.  If I was out in front of the church, wearing my habit, and asking the same questions, I suspect the answers might be different.  Perhaps we would hear, “Christian,” “life-long Catholic,” “Roman Catholic,” “daily communicant,” “Sacred Heart parishioner,” “member of the choir,” “altar server,” and other things that describe your life of faith.

Makes me wonder.  Gives me a little pause.  Wouldn’t it be great if our life in Christ was so strong that our answer expressed that faith, regardless of our location.

“Always be ready to give an answer for the Hope you have within you.” (1 Peter 3:15)