In favor of Mother Teresa: Come Be My Light. Wow. How she could go on with the work amazes me, when I fall by the wayside so often.
In other news, I've been doing all this reading the past few days, and what comes on History International last night but a short film about Fatima. Coinicidence? I mentioned it to SK and he, too, thought it was awfully coincidental. Especially since the TV is usually tuned into kids' shows and that was the first time I've had it on HI in the afternoon in weeks.
I haven't told SK yet, but I want to go to Mass. I've watched it on TV, (EWTN) and I want to go. Maybe actually being there would help with some of the issues I have yet: Adoration. I know it's because I was raised Protestant, but Adoration is one of the few things I have problems with.
Communion of Saints? Got it, understood.
Marian reverence? She deserves it. Still a little iffy on the Assumption, but working on it.
Body and Blood of Christ? I'm wrapping my head around it. Again, raised Protestant.
Adoration? That may take me a while.
On phone with Mom. May be back later...God Bless you all if I don't...
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4 comments:
Can you say specifically what your problem is with Adoration?
I'm happy to help if I can. I was raised Catholic, fell away for awhile, really a lost soul, and when I came back, the parish I lived near had a Perpetual Adoration chapel...but it was nearly a year before I "darkened" the door, and it took a miracle to get me to realize Who was present.
Please let me know if I can help, and feel free to email me:
malaidea@netzero.net
God bless!
That's so kind of you, Adoro...basically it's the Protty "idol worship" thing. I think I'm going to have to get all the way through actually believing (and I'm at least halfway there) in the True Presence of Christ before I can truly embrace Adoration.
I want to understand it inasmuch as I can, so that helps.
Right now money is an issue, but as soon as it isn't, I'm planning on buying a copy of the Catechism and Catholicism for Dummies to try to help me get through some of the larger issues. Can you recommend any other books? Well of course you can, you're extremely well read and intelligent, but would you be so kind as to do so?
Thank you and God bless you,
Sherri
LOL....actually, I'm just a geek. That's all there is to it.
I would recommend Scott Hahn's "The Lamb's Supper". I believe he also has a book about his conversion...he was a Presbyterian Minister who became Catholic, but I can't remember the title of the book. I think part of his story is in the book I named.
Here's a short catechesis on the real presence (maybe I could get more detailed in an email, but I won't say anything there I wouldn't say in public)
Look at the Old Testament; in Exodus, the Israelites must take an unblemished male lamb, they drain the lamb of blood (always part of Mosaic law...which is a prefigurement...blood is extremely significant), and take the blood and cross their lintel posts. They are saved by the blood of the lamb. You know this. And you also know that in order to complete the covenant, they must CONSUME the flesh of the lamb...ALL OF IT.
Skip ahead to John 6. Read that entire chapter...10 times. I'm not kidding. Take your next 10 days and read that chapter every day. And turn it over in your mind.
Jesus speaks about Exodus and Deuteronomy, and the manna in the desert; he refers to it as bread from heaven, indeed, but it satisfied them only temporarily, for all of them died, eventually. Then Jesus spoke of eating His flesh and drinking His blood; for only those who eat his fles and drink his blood will have eternal life.
To understand that more fully, you have to understand that the Israelites abhored cannibalism even more than we do...if that's even possible. Blood belongs to God alone; it represents life. This is part of the kosher laws. And here sat Jesus, telling them they had to eat his flesh and drink his blood!
Read on...many of his disciples, most, in fact, walked away. Because they couldn't tolerate what he was saying. And Jesus let them go. He did not change his wording on this, but reiterated it, what...three times?
Compare this to the rest of the gospels. Whenever he was speaking in parables or hyperbole or both together, Jesus clarified when someone questioned his teaching. There were even times where He explained the meaning to the Apostles. But in John 6 JESUS DID NOT CHANGE HIS TEACHING OR HIS WORDING.
In Genesis, Adam and Eve fell from eating of the wood of the tree.
In Holy Communion, we consume the flesh of the Lamb, as a fulfillment of the sacrificial covenant for our salvation. In Holy Communion, we eat of the fruit of the wood of the tree. (Also consider the parable of the vine...Jesus is the fruit of the vine, the definitive fruit, crushed to make wine, which is His blood)
It's throughout the gospels.
Also...know that St. Ignatius and St. Irenaeus, who knew the Apostles...one of them (St. Ignatius I think) sat at the feet of St. John the Apostle. And his words were poetic; the Eucharist is "the flesh of God...love Crucified."
St. Irenaeus who sat at the feet of St. Polycarp, who also knew the Apostles personally, also held that Holy Communion was the very flesh of God.
It has been the teaching from the very beginning that the Eucharist is indeed the very Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is not a symbol; we don't throw symbols away down the sink when we're done with them.
We adore our Lord.
And don't even get me started on scientifically verified Eucharistic miracles.....
OH! Other books..I can recommend books! (Consistent with my geekiness....)
Some of them may be helpful to your family as well:
"Surprised by Truth" ~ this is a series compiled by Patrick Madrid, a series of conversion stories, both people who are Protestant leaders and regular everyday people. I think there are 4 of them. I own book # 2 and loved it.
"Four Witnesses - the Early Church in her own words - St. Ignatius of Antioch, St. Irenaeus, St. Clement, St. Justin Martyr" ~ This book was written by a man setting out to prove that the Catholic Church did not exist from the beginning, and even that the word "Catholic" was not used. He ended up Catholic. Although he gives his story at the end, the book is actually his research, and quotes the Church Fathers, placing them in context, telling their stories. It's incredible. I read this book and found myself drawn very close to the early everyday Christian martyrs...those who profess the same faith I have. Amazing book.
"Mere Christianity" ~ CS Lewis - this is a popular and higlhly recommended book although I havent' read it yet.
"Secrets of the Eucharist" ~ Michael H. Brown. A really short book but focuses on Eucharistic devotion, miracles, conversions, etc.
I wished you lived closer to me...I'd just lend you my library! Are you moving to MN any time soon?
There are great resources on the web:
www.catholic.com - also has forums so you can ask questions. But use it with caution...people on all sides get really fired up about innocent questions and the next thing you know you hate everyone. So...read the articles, wait to get involved in the forums, and then take it all with a grain of salt! LOL!
www.catholicexchange.com
http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0714.htm - The Didache - which is the teachings of the Apostles, still an authoritative source of info although not a part of the canon of scripture...references it heavily. Likely the first Catechism
http://www.beginningcatholic.com/
There are so many!
And again..please feel free to use me as a resource. I don't pretend to know everything. Not in the least! But I do love Jesus very much, I love sharing my faith, I'd love to hear your story and help where I can...and refer you to better resources as they come up.
And don't let me overwhelm you...this is a lot of info, and you have to handle it on your own time, as you can, kids and family obstacles and all!
God bless!
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