The "Why I am Catholic" question... It appears to be a trend. Maybe I missed a meme or something? Oh. It's a Patheos thing then.
Anyway, it's a good question.
I am Roman Catholic because of the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Papal supremacy.
I am Catholic because the Church has the Whole Truth...and It is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI'm Catholic because, no matter how I may feel about it, it's true.
ReplyDeleteA short but true story... A little Irish Catholic lady I once knew (now deceased) went on pilgrimage. She struggled to stand, let alone walk, and was pushed in a wheelchair. A miracle happened to her and when she returned her son was waiting to collect her at the airport. He broke down in tears when he saw his mother walking again, and made a promise to God that he would go with her on pilgrimage the next year in thanksgiving for the miracle in his life.
ReplyDeleteHe kept his promise, and for many times again after that. The young man, who father had died some years before, loved his mother dearly, and the lady likewise loved her son. But yet the close relationship puzzled many.
Years ago, the little Irish lady married a Pakistani Muslim, she even learned his language. Their son and only child was raised as a Muslim and practised the faith passed to him by his father.. Catholic mother loved her Muslim son. Muslim son loved his Catholic mother. Love knows no boundaries, even those who label themselves Catholic or Muslim.
The young man would often bring his mother to Adoration – and that’s where I first met him. sitting in a pew at the back of the church while his mother sat up front before the Blessed Sacrament.
I’m Catholic only by the grace of God. The young man, by the grace of God was born to a Catholic mother and a Muslin father. It is love that is the truth, the way and the life.
The Catholic Church may teach the Whole Truth, but the Whole Truth is not exclusive to Catholics. And there are many Catholics who have still to know and understand the Whole Truth. But God is merciful and in his time he reveals his truth – even to Catholics.
As for the Real Presence, the challenge for Catholics is to be able to see the Real Presence, the Good, in those who are not members of the Church.
And it’s all very well reverencing the Host when it is presented in front of us but if we can’t reverence the Host in the living tabernacles sitting in the same pew who have received the Eucharist alongside us, then we still remain blind to the Whole Truth.
Reciting the Creed is not difficult, but living our ‘belief’ can be.
My wife became a Catholic after 25 years of marriage. That was enough time for her to discover through my faults and failings that the Catholic Church is a Church of sinners and for sinners. That made her feel more comfortable. :)
Have a blessed Easter!
Beautiful story, bg, thanks :)
ReplyDeleteI am Roman Catholic because it is the only truth there is.
ReplyDeleteNothing else makes sense.
Nothing else works.
Nothing else will lead me home.