Pigs Must Be Flying Somewhere...
Yesterday at 9:55 I was hightailing it to the United Methodist Church I had been attending on and off (mostly off) for the past year when I felt the need to attend a different church, a Catholic church, instead. I grew up Catholic and attended until college, when I renounced it for it's boring,rigid masses and backwards treatment of women. And after college, when I wanted to become involved in church again, I went the Protestant route. Catholicism? Ugh. Most recently I have attended a local United Methodist church (UMC), but I've also been a member of a non-denominational church and a Presbyterian church (as well as visiting or briefly attending several others, including Disciples of Christ, American Baptist, the United Church of Christ, and the Nazarene church).
So there I was, reluctantly on my way to the UMC, when I suddenly turned and made a beeline to the nearest Catholic church. I don't know why, but I felt that I needed to worship somewhere different because I had been feeling so stagnant, and ironically enough the Catholic church I drove up to had a 10 am service! So I went inside and worshipped. It was wonderful. Everything I despised and hated about the Catholic church so long ago... the rote prayers, the stupid recitations, the standing-sitting-kneeling workout, the monotonous "Lord Hear Our Prayers"... it was wonderful. We all participated by receiting, talking back in prayer, and singing. It didn't seem monotonous or rote or mechanical at all, but historical, spiritual, and above all inclusive because we all said the prayers and chants together as one. As we said the prayers and chants and recitations together, I thought about the meaning of each. It wasn't like a Protestant services (which I've been attending for the past 5 years-services of different denominations) or Evangelical services I've attended, where the only participation you have is singing together or throwing an "amen!" out there when you agree with the sermon. The Catholic church... we all said and did everything together. It was wonderful. I left feeling a spiritual refreshment I haven't felt in a long, long time.
The Catholic church is far from perfect. They have a lot of things they need to work on to get "up to speed" with society. But... at least they don't pretend to be something when they really are another. They are historical, their beliefs are historical (viritually backwards, especially when it comes to women not being allowed to be priests) but... they admit it., LOL. I don't agree with everything for sure.
I'm not sure I will ever rejoin the Catholic Church, but I had such a great time there Sunday that I think I will go back again. It was great. I can't believe I'm saying this, because I hated the Catholic church all my life, LOL. As soon as I was able, I ran away from it like the plague! Pigs must be flying somewhere for me to be going back-! But I guess things change, and times change, and our outlook changes too. Maybe I was meant to be Catholic after all. Maybe I'll get tired of the service in 2 months. Who knows? I'll just ride this good feeling out as long as I can and hope it leads to somewhere spiritually fulfilling. And if it leads somewhere spiritually fulfilling, then that is what matters. Hopefully God will show me the way.
Jen
So there I was, reluctantly on my way to the UMC, when I suddenly turned and made a beeline to the nearest Catholic church. I don't know why, but I felt that I needed to worship somewhere different because I had been feeling so stagnant, and ironically enough the Catholic church I drove up to had a 10 am service! So I went inside and worshipped. It was wonderful. Everything I despised and hated about the Catholic church so long ago... the rote prayers, the stupid recitations, the standing-sitting-kneeling workout, the monotonous "Lord Hear Our Prayers"... it was wonderful. We all participated by receiting, talking back in prayer, and singing. It didn't seem monotonous or rote or mechanical at all, but historical, spiritual, and above all inclusive because we all said the prayers and chants together as one. As we said the prayers and chants and recitations together, I thought about the meaning of each. It wasn't like a Protestant services (which I've been attending for the past 5 years-services of different denominations) or Evangelical services I've attended, where the only participation you have is singing together or throwing an "amen!" out there when you agree with the sermon. The Catholic church... we all said and did everything together. It was wonderful. I left feeling a spiritual refreshment I haven't felt in a long, long time.
The Catholic church is far from perfect. They have a lot of things they need to work on to get "up to speed" with society. But... at least they don't pretend to be something when they really are another. They are historical, their beliefs are historical (viritually backwards, especially when it comes to women not being allowed to be priests) but... they admit it., LOL. I don't agree with everything for sure.
I'm not sure I will ever rejoin the Catholic Church, but I had such a great time there Sunday that I think I will go back again. It was great. I can't believe I'm saying this, because I hated the Catholic church all my life, LOL. As soon as I was able, I ran away from it like the plague! Pigs must be flying somewhere for me to be going back-! But I guess things change, and times change, and our outlook changes too. Maybe I was meant to be Catholic after all. Maybe I'll get tired of the service in 2 months. Who knows? I'll just ride this good feeling out as long as I can and hope it leads to somewhere spiritually fulfilling. And if it leads somewhere spiritually fulfilling, then that is what matters. Hopefully God will show me the way.
Jen