So, I've been going to these RCIA classes through my church to learn more about my Catholic faith. It turns out, I know most of the stuff already... I'm just not sure if I agree with all of it or not. Or maybe it's just that I'm not understanding it completely.
Of course, it would help if I would actually ask my questions to these RCIA people, but, of course, I am too shy / nerdy / not-good-with-communicating / quiet (remember this post?) to do this.
There's this one leader there... let's call him "Mitch" (because that is his name, and since he is not going to read this blog so he will never know that I am using his real name)... who seems really smart and who I would really like to ask questions to. He has a background of being an atheist and then a Protestant and is now a Catholic. Somehow, I give a little more credit to people who choose the Catholic faith on their own (through independent study and research and the personal experience of grace), instead of being raised in it (like I have) and basically have their it chosen for them.
And it's not that I don't believe in (most of) what the Church has to say... it's just that I believe in EVERYTHING! I believe in Judaism, and Buddhism, and Santa Claus, and miracles, and the Kabbalah, and Deepak Chopra, and science, and birth, and psychics, and Lao Tzu, and ghosts, and Christian Science, and aliens, and chiropractic, and yoga, and even (certain) parts of Mormonism and Scientology.
And it's not that I'm gullible... it's just that I think that each of these things has some Truth to it. Like, I mean, what if all of these Truths are just parts of a greater whole? Or, what if different parts of the different aspects of Truth are different for different people (you know, like, different people, different journeys)? How can people (like me, who is questioning all of this), chose to be a part of just one?
Like, the Catholic Church only seems to recognize people (Saints) and miracles that occur only among Catholic people. But what about all of the other miracles that occur? Why are they any less important?
And if I am to call myself a Catholic, shouldn't I be more all-in with the whole thing? I don't know. And if I am not to be a Catholic, then what am I?
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Catholics aren't all that exclusive. Here is a section from the catechism...
818 "However, one cannot charge with the sin of the separation
those who at present are born into these communities [that
resulted from such separation] and in them are brought up in the
faith of Christ, and the Catholic Church accepts them with respect
and affection as brothers . . . . All who have been justified by faith
in Baptism are incorporated into Christ; they therefore have a right
to be called Christians, and with good reason are accepted as
brothers in the Lord by the children of the Catholic Church."
“819 "Furthermore, many elements of sanctification and of
truth" are found outside the visible confines of the Catholic
Church: "the written Word of God; the life of grace; faith, hope,
and charity, with the other interior gifts of the Holy Spirit, as well
as visible elements." Christ's Spirit uses these Churches and
ecclesial communities as means of salvation, whose power derives
from the fullness of grace and truth that Christ has entrusted to the
Catholic Church. All these blessings come from Christ and lead to
him, and are in themselves calls to "Catholic unity."
Basically it has been explained to me that the Catholic Church and doctrine contains the whole truth, but that other churches/beliefs can also contain some truth. So it's not wrong to see and be drawn to good and holy things happening elsewhere. I very much admire for example, how the Mormons are able to get most of their young men to go out on missions after high school for two years. THAT is the Holy Spirit at work right there if you ask me. And Jesus was a Jew so obviously there are a lot of good things going on there. And the Catholic Church believes that God can do all things and that we don't know everything he does. So might God have created aliens? Sure he might have. Are all the Buddhists and Jews going to hell? My guess is no, but no one really knows except God.
Having all these questions makes you a GOOD Catholic!!!! It is important to know your faith and to investigate more in areas you don't know about.
And the saint thing is just people who we "know" for sure are currently in heaven. It's not a Catholic Of The Year award or anything like that. Everyone in heaven is a saint (even Protestants, Buddhists, etc), we just aren't especially sure for most people, whether they are in heaven or not at the moment. So for people who aren't even Catholic, even if they are really good people, it is really hard to say for sure if they are in heaven or not. So the recognized Catholic saints are just the ones the Church feels really certain made it there and so asking them to pray for you would in fact be effective. Check out these links for more on sainthood... http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/defining-saints-in-the-catholic-church.html and http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/how-to-become-a-saint-in-the-catholic-church.html
I hope this helps, and keep asking questions! If you are nervous about speaking up about things with your RCIA folk, could you get their email addresses? For us introverts, email can be a lifesaver like that. Ask all the things you were too nervous to ask in person.
Thanks for posting this!
I would call that Episcopalian (I don't really know this, but I like to think of Episcopalians as Catholics with less rules and more open to other ideas and religions...which is probably a grossly misinformed stereotype in my head. Also, if you are too shy to ask questions, maybe you can go up after class and talk to the teacher, so you don't feel put on the spot?
Are you familiar with Caroline Myss? Sounds like some of her musings.
Yes, I have read the book "Sacred Contracts" by Caroline Myss, but I don't really remember anything specific about it offhand.
Mrs. Maelstrom... I love that you posted this. Thank you!
So i was randomly reading your blog and stumbled upon this. I really like what Mrs. Maelstrom had to say and would only add to keep seeking. "Seek and you shall find." But reading anything and everything out there is not necessarily the answer either. Search for credible sources and respected, well studied theologians from any of the religions you learn about. Your thoughts, and subsequently your actions and habits, are formed by what you put in, just like a computer, so it is wise to filter. As Sturgeon's Law says, 90% of everything is crap. ;) And pray for wisdom. Also, one book that may be a good read is "Rediscovering Catholicism" by Matthew Kelly. It's engaging and relevant and not at all a "boring religion book" like i assumed when i first was given it.
I'd love to sit and have tea and chat some time. I have always been particularly drawn to you and wanted to spend more time talking with you. I think we have more in common than not. :)
Thanks, Angela. I have read part of "Rediscovering Catholicism" as well as some other Matthew Kelly book, and I just don't care for his writing style at all. It's too sophomoric and simplistic or something. Kind of like reading a Nicholas Sparks novel.
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