Joel and I just went to see the new DaVinci Code movie "Angels and Demons" (really good!) and afterwards we started talking about faith and religion. . .
Me? I was baptized in the Roman Catholic Church when I was a wee babe. I like to label myself "catholic" (small c). Note, according to www.dictionary.com:
cath⋅o⋅lic
[kath-uh-lik, kath-lik]
–adjective
ə
–adjective
1.broad or wide-ranging in tastes, interests, or the like; having sympathies with all; broad-minded; liberal.
2.universal in extent; involving all; of interest to all.
3.pertaining to the whole Christian body or church.
versus
See what I mean? I like to believe that most churches are united in some way or another and that, perhaps, we have many more commonalities than differences. Are God and Allah and Yahweh all the same?
I believe in the creed of the Catholic Church:
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is seen and unseen. True, I believe there is one God -- different names. For me, I like to see God as a warm and caring father. I believe that God is more. . . and that to best relate, we can put "Him" in a role. For me, Father is appropriate. The ultimate caring father who wants what's best for all of us and who has wisdom and compassion. He can be protective as needed, but he's ultimately the father of all. Creator of all . . . And when I say "all" I mean everything. He gave us the miracle of life and the ability to form babies and unite. Pretty cool.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, one in Being with the Father. True. It's hard for me to fathom and explain. I believe that Jesus was God's son and was also God placed within Mary as a virgin birth; he is one with God -- like a shared awareness, a shared love . . . It's hard for me to fully comprehend but I'm okay with that. My gut says it's true.
Through him all things were made. [Wow!] For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven, by the power of the Holy Spirit he was born of the Virgin Mary, and became man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered, died, and was buried. On the third day he rose again in fulfillment of the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. I believe that Jesus was given to us as a gift: For God to live among us so we can see how much he treasures us and so God can speak through His own voice and not through a prophet. The Holy Spirit - the invisible movement of God - filled Mary (who was NOT already pregnant and who was of a strong faith) and choose to become a man -- to become one of us -- because he loves us. And, because he loves us, he sacrificed himself for us and was crucified -- so that we may believe and see the miracle. I believe that God's kingdom will have no end. I believe that ultimately good triumphs over evil.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of Life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets. I believe that God moves as a Spirit. I believe when I feel that tingling on the back of my neck that it is the Holy Spirit's presence that I'm feeling. I believe that the Holy Spirit is ever present and that the Holy Spirit speaks through the Prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. Yes, I believe that there is one universal church and that we strive to be apostle-like.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. All baptisms count . . . All who choose to invite God into their lives and have faith are a part of my family. . . They don't have to be baptized in the Roman Catholic Church to be considered faithful.
We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. It seems like there's something about joyful hope too. . . Yes, we believe that there is a afterlife and that death isn't something to be feared but, rather, we should trust that God has more planned for us. This isn't something to dread, but rather a "joyful hope."
I think that's cool. "Amen!" I agree! I believe! Here, here!
I like to imagine the early church gatherings: Apostles spreading the word about Christ. . . Sharing his works in stories in small gathering rooms where they may have met in secret or met with those wanting to know more. Offering prayers and blessings. Reading stories from the Old Testament, the Torah then praising God with David's psalms (words of encouragement or reflection), then telling stories of what they've seen and experienced. . . Saving the best for last: Stories of Jesus' life here on earth. Then teaching the crowd and discussing how Jesus fulfilled the predictions and phophesies of the Old testament. All the while, the Holy Spirit moving within people -- opening minds and changing hearts. Wow!
From there they would begin the sacred ceremony of breaking bread with them as Jesus broke bread, reciting Jesus' words, "Do this in memory of me." I imagine the people standing in a crowded room trying to see what was going on. I imagine the people sitting to listen to the stories of the Torah they may have heard before and to listen to the apostles speak. I imagine them falling to their knees as they recognized the reverence of the moment. When I go to mass, this is what I think about. So many people just seem to recite the prayers by rote, but truly, it should be special.
I also like to think that the Catholic church tries to unite us all: Agreeing and printing books that list what stories we will hear and what prayers we will say -- lifting a voice in unison of praise to God. Uniting us as brothers and sisters (I can call a cousin in another state and ask, "What did you think of the story of the woman at the well?" discussed at today's mass). And still, we have our apostles trying to share their own faith and praying that God gives them the words to apply the teachings to our lives and to encourage our faith. I try to pray that I'm open to God's word and the Holy Spirit. Some days are better than others.
My frustration with the "religion" tends to be more in terms of the politics of it all. I don't like that the Catholic church tends to seem judgemental -- dictating what books and movies are appropriate to see. That's frustrating. I don't like when I've seen people use "faith" as a reason to condemn others (e.g. "I can't go to my son's wedding because he's not getting married in a church"). I dislike how many people seem to just go to mass out of a sense of obligation and not because they want to praise God. I don't like that I've met priests that haven't seemed very holy and that they spoil it for the many wonderful priests I know.
For me, I want to be catholic in all the idealistic ways: Believing in the wonder of the mass and reliving the awe-filled moments of those early Christians. I want to believe that I have much in common with my Buddhist, Muslim, Jewish, and other Christian friends (Mormons, Lutherans, Pentacostals, Baptists). I believe that God is a part of my life and that the tingle on the back of my neck is the Holy Spirit (it's that same sense that gives me the nagging urge to call my mom just in time to find out that someone close to us is dying). I want to sing "Alleluia" and feel it to my toes. . .
And, I have days. . . Days of wanting to sleep in on Sunday. . . Days of dreading dragging my kids and husband to mass. . . Days of sitting through mass and not recalling a single reading or anything that was said. . . . There are days. My goal is to have less of those than the good days.
So. . . Faith & religion? At the end of the DaVinci code one of the actors had a very inspiring line, and for the life of me, I can't recall all of it. But, I remember that the point was that we have faith; religion is imperfect because man ("mankind") is imperfect. . . but faith remains.
versus
Cath⋅o⋅lic
[kath-uh-lik, kath-lik]–adjective
1.of or pertaining to a Catholic church, esp. the Roman Catholic Church.
2.Theology.
a.(among Roman Catholics) claiming to possess exclusively the notes or characteristics of the one, only, true, and universal church having unity, visibility, indefectibility, apostolic succession, universality, and sanctity: used in this sense, with these qualifications, only by the Church of Rome, as applicable only to itself and its adherents and to their faith and organization; often qualified, especially by those not acknowledging these claims, by prefixing the word Roman.
b.(among Anglo-Catholics) noting or pertaining to the conception of the church as the body representing the ancient undivided Christian witness, comprising all the orthodox churches that have kept the apostolic succession of bishops, and including the Anglican Church, the Roman Catholic Church, the Eastern Orthodox Church, Church of Sweden, the Old Catholic Church (in the Netherlands and elsewhere), etc.
3.pertaining to the Western Church.
See what I mean? I like to believe that most churches are united in some way or another and that, perhaps, we have many more commonalities than differences. Are God and Allah and Yahweh all the same?
I believe in the creed of the Catholic Church:
- We believe in one God,
- the Father, the Almighty
- maker of heaven and earth,
- of all that is seen and unseen.
- We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
- the only Son of God,
- eternally begotten of the Father,
- God from God, Light from Light,
- true God from true God,
- begotten, not made,
- one in Being with the Father.
- Through him all things were made.
- For us men and for our salvation
- he came down from heaven
- by the power of the Holy Spirit
- he was born of the Virgin Mary, and became man.
- For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
- he suffered, died, and was buried.
- On the third day he rose again
- in fulfillment of the Scriptures;
- he ascended into heaven
- and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
- He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
- and his kingdom will have no end.
- We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of Life,
- who proceeds from the Father and the Son.
- With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified.
- He has spoken through the Prophets.
- We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
- We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
- We look for the resurrection of the dead,
- and the life of the world to come. Amen
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is seen and unseen. True, I believe there is one God -- different names. For me, I like to see God as a warm and caring father. I believe that God is more. . . and that to best relate, we can put "Him" in a role. For me, Father is appropriate. The ultimate caring father who wants what's best for all of us and who has wisdom and compassion. He can be protective as needed, but he's ultimately the father of all. Creator of all . . . And when I say "all" I mean everything. He gave us the miracle of life and the ability to form babies and unite. Pretty cool.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, one in Being with the Father. True. It's hard for me to fathom and explain. I believe that Jesus was God's son and was also God placed within Mary as a virgin birth; he is one with God -- like a shared awareness, a shared love . . . It's hard for me to fully comprehend but I'm okay with that. My gut says it's true.
Through him all things were made. [Wow!] For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven, by the power of the Holy Spirit he was born of the Virgin Mary, and became man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered, died, and was buried. On the third day he rose again in fulfillment of the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. I believe that Jesus was given to us as a gift: For God to live among us so we can see how much he treasures us and so God can speak through His own voice and not through a prophet. The Holy Spirit - the invisible movement of God - filled Mary (who was NOT already pregnant and who was of a strong faith) and choose to become a man -- to become one of us -- because he loves us. And, because he loves us, he sacrificed himself for us and was crucified -- so that we may believe and see the miracle. I believe that God's kingdom will have no end. I believe that ultimately good triumphs over evil.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of Life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets. I believe that God moves as a Spirit. I believe when I feel that tingling on the back of my neck that it is the Holy Spirit's presence that I'm feeling. I believe that the Holy Spirit is ever present and that the Holy Spirit speaks through the Prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. Yes, I believe that there is one universal church and that we strive to be apostle-like.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. All baptisms count . . . All who choose to invite God into their lives and have faith are a part of my family. . . They don't have to be baptized in the Roman Catholic Church to be considered faithful.
We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. It seems like there's something about joyful hope too. . . Yes, we believe that there is a afterlife and that death isn't something to be feared but, rather, we should trust that God has more planned for us. This isn't something to dread, but rather a "joyful hope."
I think that's cool. "Amen!" I agree! I believe! Here, here!
I like to imagine the early church gatherings: Apostles spreading the word about Christ. . . Sharing his works in stories in small gathering rooms where they may have met in secret or met with those wanting to know more. Offering prayers and blessings. Reading stories from the Old Testament, the Torah then praising God with David's psalms (words of encouragement or reflection), then telling stories of what they've seen and experienced. . . Saving the best for last: Stories of Jesus' life here on earth. Then teaching the crowd and discussing how Jesus fulfilled the predictions and phophesies of the Old testament. All the while, the Holy Spirit moving within people -- opening minds and changing hearts. Wow!
From there they would begin the sacred ceremony of breaking bread with them as Jesus broke bread, reciting Jesus' words, "Do this in memory of me." I imagine the people standing in a crowded room trying to see what was going on. I imagine the people sitting to listen to the stories of the Torah they may have heard before and to listen to the apostles speak. I imagine them falling to their knees as they recognized the reverence of the moment. When I go to mass, this is what I think about. So many people just seem to recite the prayers by rote, but truly, it should be special.
I also like to think that the Catholic church tries to unite us all: Agreeing and printing books that list what stories we will hear and what prayers we will say -- lifting a voice in unison of praise to God. Uniting us as brothers and sisters (I can call a cousin in another state and ask, "What did you think of the story of the woman at the well?" discussed at today's mass). And still, we have our apostles trying to share their own faith and praying that God gives them the words to apply the teachings to our lives and to encourage our faith. I try to pray that I'm open to God's word and the Holy Spirit. Some days are better than others.
My frustration with the "religion" tends to be more in terms of the politics of it all. I don't like that the Catholic church tends to seem judgemental -- dictating what books and movies are appropriate to see. That's frustrating. I don't like when I've seen people use "faith" as a reason to condemn others (e.g. "I can't go to my son's wedding because he's not getting married in a church"). I dislike how many people seem to just go to mass out of a sense of obligation and not because they want to praise God. I don't like that I've met priests that haven't seemed very holy and that they spoil it for the many wonderful priests I know.
For me, I want to be catholic in all the idealistic ways: Believing in the wonder of the mass and reliving the awe-filled moments of those early Christians. I want to believe that I have much in common with my Buddhist, Muslim, Jewish, and other Christian friends (Mormons, Lutherans, Pentacostals, Baptists). I believe that God is a part of my life and that the tingle on the back of my neck is the Holy Spirit (it's that same sense that gives me the nagging urge to call my mom just in time to find out that someone close to us is dying). I want to sing "Alleluia" and feel it to my toes. . .
And, I have days. . . Days of wanting to sleep in on Sunday. . . Days of dreading dragging my kids and husband to mass. . . Days of sitting through mass and not recalling a single reading or anything that was said. . . . There are days. My goal is to have less of those than the good days.
So. . . Faith & religion? At the end of the DaVinci code one of the actors had a very inspiring line, and for the life of me, I can't recall all of it. But, I remember that the point was that we have faith; religion is imperfect because man ("mankind") is imperfect. . . but faith remains.
