My First Catholic Mass
Today I went to Catholic mass with my husband. I went with an open mind but the one thing I could not shake was not being able to take communion. I was raised Christian, baptised Christian, and live a Christian lifestyle. My church has open communion, as long as you’ve been baptised in a Christian church you can partake in that sacrament. In the Catholic church, you have to be baptised Catholic. It didn’t really get to me until we started that part of the service and I just ended up in tears. How can someone of Christian faith be denied that sacrament? That deeply bothers me. I also don’t like taking the sacrament every Sunday. Sorry, I grew up having it the first Sunday of every month and that makes sense to me. Sure, we all sin and communion is how we cleanse ourselves in a way…but my goodness, every week?
We went to the priest after the service and asked him about it and instead of giving us a direct answer he said that he’ll interview my husband and I and then I can start classes. Then he spotted my rather out there preggo belly and said that in September, when I’m due, we can baptise our son. Then by Easter I can be baptised if I have chosen to convert. I’m really torn by this. The other issue I have is the baptism at birth. I don’t believe in original sin. When you are fresh on this earth as an infant you have commited no sin. I was baptised when I was 8, when I learned between right and wrong and learned what baptism was all about…when I had a choice.
My final issue that I have for now is confession. No, I did not have to go to the confessional, but I do not believe that there needs to be a middle man between God and I. To me it seems like the church’s secret keeper. I would rather deal with my problems with God directly, thank you.
I want our son to be able to decide what church to go to when he is old enough as well. I just…I just don’t know what to do. I know I need to pray about it, but praying is not going to take away the things that bother me about that church. Any advise?
*hugs*
~Jen
firewings said,
July 30, 2007 at 2:53 pm
You know, I would go with the whole “listen to your heart” routine. I like to think I do that instead of my loins, but you know, I’m young.
*ahem*
But coming back, I think you should think that if you’re walking into a place and it tinges you with fear and confusion, is that something that God would want you to feel? If it were right for you, wouldn’t there be more peace? [And I know the counter argument for that too - the idea that the human will/spirit/mind is weak and is strayed by The Enemy, but you know, I can't follow that propaganda for more than just the obvious reasons.]
thebutton said,
July 30, 2007 at 8:09 pm
I do not fear it at all. I just felt denied something that I have the right to partake in. After a really long discussion with another college buddy of mine I have come to the conclusion that it does not matter which church I belong to as long as I follow what I believe is right in my heart and walk the path with God. I have done a lot of praying and meditation on this and I’ve decided that the probability of me converting is rather high. And no, it’s not just so I can take communion. I’ve talked over this a lot with Bry as well. He feels bad that he’s not as scholery (sp? oy) as he should be on his church. However, I am glad that he wanted to return going to church. I think parenthood brings out things in us for the best when you listen, and I’m glad he listened. Me, I’m perfectly content praising and worshiping God out in the open in nature, my husband loves the confines of a building. To each his own.