My Catholic story is a winding road, like it is for so many. It takes course over decades, not years. I like to think of it as a vintage experience soaked in alternating years of searching, indifference, rejection and now an inevitable surrender.
I like to think of the Catholic Church as that geeky but confident guy (or gal in this case) who appears like he doesn’t need or want a relationship with you. Not because he actually doesn’t but because he is rather comfortable in his own shoes and certain of who he is (I am thinking of Mr. Darcy right now).
He/She may seem aloof and distant but once you commit to his straightforward style, he pulls out the red carpet for you (smells and bells in the case of Rome), screaming “I WANT YOU! I LOVE YOU!” I don’t think this is playing games – it's just good sense.
The endless variations of protestant denominations (including the non-denominational churches), though well meaning, remind me of how I was in high school. Never certain of myself, eager to become whatever my friends wanted me to be so that our relationship would never be jeopardized or uncomfortable. Yes, it’s a type of relationship building – but lacking something.
A Catholic blogger I read put it simply: "For too many Christians, the faith is a safe routine, a kind of philosophy of self-improvement, something meant to be comfortable and comforting. " The Catholic Church offers no such thing in my experience.
Each protestant church I have attended was willing to commit to me without seeking or even asking whether I was really interested in the long haul. In a way, I find that a bit insulting – Don’t I have a say in it? I felt like I was on a series of short coffee dates at Tim Hortons. My protestant friends might be seething right now. I can only speak to my experience.
In the end I was drawn by the slow, undramatic, but atmospheric approach of an older and wiser man – well, in this case, a Mother. I know some people have trouble making sense of the glitter of Catholic Churches and seemingly unimportant adornments. But it all adds up for me –read this if you want to understand why.
A Catholic writer put it aptly –“Going to an evangelical church to find a sense of sacredness is like trying to make love under fluorescent lighting”.
There are so many arguments against faith. At the end of the day, I feel they don’t stand up. I can no more sum up all those reasons here than explain why I think civilization is a great thing – as G.K. Chesterton wisely said- the list would simply go on and on in a kind of constant babble. Here's that babble.
What you won't find here is determined effort to argue that God exists. God is sine quo non in my books. I write for those who care about faith, are curious about it, or living it. I love hearing their stories too.
I like to think of the Catholic Church as that geeky but confident guy (or gal in this case) who appears like he doesn’t need or want a relationship with you. Not because he actually doesn’t but because he is rather comfortable in his own shoes and certain of who he is (I am thinking of Mr. Darcy right now).
He/She may seem aloof and distant but once you commit to his straightforward style, he pulls out the red carpet for you (smells and bells in the case of Rome), screaming “I WANT YOU! I LOVE YOU!” I don’t think this is playing games – it's just good sense.
The endless variations of protestant denominations (including the non-denominational churches), though well meaning, remind me of how I was in high school. Never certain of myself, eager to become whatever my friends wanted me to be so that our relationship would never be jeopardized or uncomfortable. Yes, it’s a type of relationship building – but lacking something.
A Catholic blogger I read put it simply: "For too many Christians, the faith is a safe routine, a kind of philosophy of self-improvement, something meant to be comfortable and comforting. " The Catholic Church offers no such thing in my experience.
Each protestant church I have attended was willing to commit to me without seeking or even asking whether I was really interested in the long haul. In a way, I find that a bit insulting – Don’t I have a say in it? I felt like I was on a series of short coffee dates at Tim Hortons. My protestant friends might be seething right now. I can only speak to my experience.
In the end I was drawn by the slow, undramatic, but atmospheric approach of an older and wiser man – well, in this case, a Mother. I know some people have trouble making sense of the glitter of Catholic Churches and seemingly unimportant adornments. But it all adds up for me –read this if you want to understand why.
A Catholic writer put it aptly –“Going to an evangelical church to find a sense of sacredness is like trying to make love under fluorescent lighting”.
There are so many arguments against faith. At the end of the day, I feel they don’t stand up. I can no more sum up all those reasons here than explain why I think civilization is a great thing – as G.K. Chesterton wisely said- the list would simply go on and on in a kind of constant babble. Here's that babble.
What you won't find here is determined effort to argue that God exists. God is sine quo non in my books. I write for those who care about faith, are curious about it, or living it. I love hearing their stories too.