Posted on 03/18/2018 9:02:06 PM PDT by No One Special
This is the story of my life.
When I was growing up, there was this door (metaphorically speaking). The door was not locked; however, I was told never, ever to go through it.
I wasn’t told why, just that, “This door isn’t for people like us.” We were Jewish, and Jews were not allowed to open the door. Apparently, something bad would happen to me if I entered it. But I didn’t know what it was.
Certainly, my family didn’t want me to open that door. And my Jewish culture didn’t want me to as well. God, I thought, might even punish me if I did. So, being a dutiful and loyal child, I never considered going through the door. In time, I forgot all about it.
While I was growing up, my house was very dark, literally and metaphorically. My parents forbade me from ever opening the curtains and letting in light. They didn’t want the sun to bleach the carpets and the pretty furnishings. My parents loved the pretty furnishings, I think, more than they loved me.
It was dark in my household for other reasons as well. My parents worshipped at the altar of modernism, proudly displaying their monthly Playboy magazine on the coffee table. They loved traveling with their friends and raucous parties, often drinking to excess. I spent way too much time alone, accompanied by my TV friends, the Munsters, the Addams Family, and the Brady Bunch.
There were many other dark aspects of growing up at a certain time in history, the 60s, and in a liberal family and place: the schools were dangerous; drugs were an easy escape; boyfriends pushed me to do things way before I was ready. It wasn’t hard for them to get me to submit; I wasn’t very strong. Maybe it was because of being deprived of all of that light. I gave in to most of the dark forces and became pretty dark myself.
When I became a young woman, I changed. I stopped all of that bad behavior. I started searching for something, though I had no idea what it was. I dabbled in religion, the Eastern kind. I meditated and went on retreats with American teachers who gave themselves Indian-style names, such as Ram Dass. I started eating mostly vegetables, and doing strange postures, like standing on my head. But even though I pursued all kinds of stuff, I never, ever considered opening that door.
All I knew about the door was from my Jewish culture — and also through the society at large. I learned that the people behind the door were mean. They were very different than me. They imposed annoying holidays on the culture, especially Christmas, with its insipid music and ecologically unfriendly trees and lights.
I never spoke to those people behind the door, but apparently, they were somber and didn’t want anyone to have much fun. They believed strange things about a God who died and was resurrected. I never met one of these people, but I could tell I wouldn’t like them very much.
And then the strangest thing happened. A few years ago, when I was already well past my prime, I met one of them. And she wasn’t anything like I had thought. In fact, she was the opposite — joyous and sweet and kind. I assumed that she was an anomaly. And then I met another one, and he was as caring as the other person.
I became intrigued by the people behind the door; I wanted to learn more about them, understand their language. They had something that I needed, but I didn’t know what it was.
I bought their main book, The Bible, although I found it very confusing. The Old Testament, the New Testament, King James, New International Version . . . I had no idea how to decipher it, but many generous Christians helped me.
I immersed myself in reading as much as I could about these people, and listening online to innumerable sermons. It was immensely fascinating. I started thinking that maybe I should open the door and see what was behind it.
One day, I went to a church. But first I sat in my car in the parking lot, very frightened. I wondered if God would strike me down dead for doing something so forbidden. But I ventured inside and stayed for the whole service. When I returned to my car, I was ecstatic; I had survived!
It was a Catholic church, and very nice, but I didn’t know what was going on. So I went down the hall, so to speak, to one of the sister churches, an evangelical one. The service was easier to understand and more fun. The band played rock music; we put our hands up in the air and swayed and sang to the lyrics on the big screen. The church didn’t have any big crosses, but it did have air conditioning, upholstered pews, and very friendly and well-behaved people. I loved it all. In fact, I loved it so much that I decided to become one of them, which I did a few months later.
Everything was going great, and the depressed feelings that I had carried around with me my whole life dissolved. But after a few years, something was missing, something more reverent and holy. I didn’t know what it was. But one day — I realized later that it was the start of Advent — I began thinking that maybe I should go back down the hall to the other side, the Catholic one.
I went to Catholic churches a few times, and found out that it was a big, fat mess, so different than the evangelicals. Everyone seemed so confused. They were battling with each other over basic doctrine. They even argued with their leaders. Their babies hollered during the service; the pews were as hard as a rock; and not a single church had air conditioning. After a few months I had had enough, and was ready to return to the nice, obedient and comfortable evangelical world, although I would stay for one more Mass with the Catholics, on Easter.
And then the most amazing thing happened. I was sitting there during Mass, a bit irritated by the parishioners chit-chatting, when I felt something so strongly, that my body seized up. It was this Force of nature, something I had never experienced in my life, never anywhere, not even with the Protestants. I started sobbing. It was all too much. I flew out of the church and into the bathroom, crying and gasping for breath. I spoke to God right then and there, “What is going on? Is that You?” And I realized that Jesus was really there in the Eucharist, and that, as much as I wanted to, I wasn’t leaving the Catholics any time soon.
I also learned why the Catholics were in such disarray. They had been attacked by a myriad of enemy forces. They had even been betrayed by some of their own people, for example, professors who taught unsound, even heretical, doctrine. Even some of those really nice people down the hall in the Protestant world had gone after them.
People did this for a variety of reasons, such as lust and greed, since the Catholic Church is the moral compass of the world. Unsavory types wanted to make filthy movies and revolting pornography or get involved in the abortion industry. And many average citizens wanted to have guilt-free hook-ups. Much of the attack was orchestrated by the anti-Catholic news media, which triggered widespread confusion and division.
And there was a spiritual battle going on as well: because the Catholic Church is the most powerful force on earth for holiness and purity, it had amassed a lot of enemies. It dawned on me that if all of these forces focused their attacks on this Church, it must be for a reason; it must be the true Church of Jesus Christ.
Although I started realizing all of this, I still tried to leave several more times. It was too confusing and disorderly over there, and, although a lot of Catholics were kind and giving, I missed the super friendly and welcoming evangelicals.
And I was scared. I can be brave, I thought, but not that brave, and I didn’t want to be smack dab in the middle of both an earthly and a cosmic war. But every time I considered leaving, the same thing would happen: I would be sitting in the Catholic church, and be overcome by this Force more powerful than anything I had ever known before. It was as though Something was taking hold of me, cradling me in His arms, and He would not let me go.
One day, I realized that I couldn’t turn back. I had reached the point of no return. As scared as I was, I had to join them.
Now I am on track to be received into the Church soon. I am still nervous, but also over-the-moon happy. I feel as though I’m taking part in the greatest adventure of all time, one in which I will be accompanied by the Blessed Mother, the saints and martyrs, and Jesus, most of all Jesus.
During my journey into Christianity, I have at times suffered from great anxiety about not just entering that door, but embracing everything that is inside of it. I’ve worried: am I betraying my parents, my ancestors, my culture? Although my parents died many years ago, I, still the dutiful daughter, fear disappointing them.
And then the other night I had this dream:
I am walking in a dangerous and dark place, like a cavern. I am tripping as I walk and having trouble keeping my bearings. My father is standing next to me, looking strong and youthful. He helps me to walk; at times he even carries me.
I look in back of me for my mother. I am worried about whether she is okay. I see a beautiful, luminous woman standing close behind me. I think that she is the Virgin Mary.
And in back of her I see my mother, looking youthful and lovely. She joyfully waves at me. I happily wave back at her. I look ahead into the darkness, but now feeling relaxed and at ease. I know that everything is going to be alright.
________________
(Note to readers: This was written a few months before I became a very happy and grateful Catholic.)
Thank you for this elucidation of the unexplainabkle and illogical. I’ll remember the line of reasoning: It is because it isn’t. Hmmmm.
Luke 19:10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost."
So; you appear to know how this happens.
I hope your meds are working.
You people show up like herpes. You take interesting threads and dirty them up and expect people to come running to your religion.
***
When you can convince your fellow RCs to stop posting the ‘Luther=Hitler’ propaganda on Lutheran, Evangelical, and Protestant threads, I’ll consider leaving Catholic threads alone.
At least daniel1212 is posting actual theology and not flinging around insults like asking how many abortions you’ve had or speculating on your sexual history like some of the FRoman contingent has been doing to us.
If you don’t like it, debate him or ignore him, but don’t act like the FRomans are always the meek lambs getting stomped on.
As the Apostle Paul wrote: “23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
27 So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord.”
Some have told me that Paul’s referring to sinning against the body of Christ as in the church body, but that doesn’t wash, because the church body has never been referred to as ‘the body and blood of the Lord.’
So I’m just going to be assuming that Paul said what he meant and meant what he said.
And I've found Catholics just as nasty and vulgar and inaccurate in real life as they are on FR threads.
FWIW, I don't see any non-Catholic pushing their religion on FR as *the one true church*, consigning everyone else to hell because others don't follow their religion (denomination), or encouraging others to join their church promising salvation though it.
The only way of salvation is through CHRIST, not through a religion or religious acts or sacraments.
It's ironic and hypocritical that when non-Catholics point out the problems within Catholicism, we're considered *antis*, *haters*, and *bigots*.
And yet when Catholics point out the very same problems within the Catholic religion, they are the heroes, the *true* Catholics, who are trying to get back to the *real* Catholic faith.
I must have hit a nerve - you had to call in all your familiars. Why do you guys always call for backup I wonder? It makes you look like the freaks at the end of the movie Freaks.
If we're not trying to bring people to Christ, then what's the point?
Is that what you’re trying to do?
He is if He says He is.
Are you seriously saying you haven't seen this asserted countless times on FR, or are you only saying you think we poor, benighted Papists are too stupid to follow a syllogism?
Which attitude fits perfectly with atheist materialism, but not with Christianity.
Yes...that should be the goal of all believers....to bring others to Christ.
2. Catholics are not Christians
What we do see a lot on these threads are people identifying with a church....not the Savior.
How rare it is for a Roman Catholic to identify as a Christian. I've encountered that in the real world as well...when asked if you are a believer in Christ people say "I'm a Catholic.".
That's not the question.
Jesus put a similar type question to Peter and the disciples when He asked them, "Who do you say I am?" or "Who do people say I am?".
I've asked numerous Roman Catholics, you included, on these threads if they follow Christ and Christ alone....and the reply? Often times....silence.
The New Testament is clear....if you're not trusting in only Christ for your salvation, then you're not one of His followers.
6Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me." John 14:6 NASB
8But what does it say? “THE WORD IS NEAR YOU, IN YOUR MOUTH AND IN YOUR HEART”—that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, 9that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; 10for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. 11For the Scripture says, “WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED.” Romans 10:8-11 NASB
Will you, or anyone else reading this thread, call upon the Lord and be saved today?
I would be humbled to discuss this further on freepmail if you or anyone else has any questions.
Well, I feel that Paul truly meant what he said, but it is not clear to me that your understanding or interpretation of what Paul's purpose was in bringing the passage verses 27 through 32 as related to participation of the communal breaking of bread.
My inclination is that your doctrine says the bread and grape juice constitute, at least in the spirit realm, the sin offering that Jesus effectually and effectively presented to The Holy God. But if that is your contention, you need to stop right there, for in the pre-Incarnation practices, the priesthood could not eat the sin offerings. They were totally and wholly consumed by The LORD, burned up as in smelting fire. So the bread and juice consumed by the New Testament priest is of the materials symbolic of the Old Testament peace offering, reminiscent that the forsaking of the sins by both God and man had already taken place. And this occurred only once, when Jesus died for us and was raised for our justification.
You say the emblems are the atonement, they are Jesus. That is, to me, an unacceptable explanation of the Remembrance
So, what is the meaning of the passage under consideration?
First, the overall purpose of this first canonical letter to the Corinthian assembly was to invoke corrective church discipline, citing the cases, their condition, and the methods of correction. The core of the scripture in view is unworthiness to partake of the symbols of peace with God and solidarity in the assembly. It is in that context one interprets the passage.
Secondly, the cause of unworthiness (1 Cor 5:1, 1 Jn 2:4) is that of unconfessed sinfulness (1 Cor 5:2, 1 Jn 1:6,8,10), with the resultant chastening of God The Father either looming or in process, for not only the unworthy individual, but also for the assembly and its members (1 Cor 5:3-5,11-13; Heb 12:6-8; Joshua 7:1), some of whom are likely (even though passively) complicit.
The Breaking of The Bread observation is not so much about the individual (for each is, moment by moment--not just once a week--accountable to The Father): it is primarily about The Local Body, its holiness (1 Pet 1:14-16), its unity (Jn. 17), and its testimony to the world (1 Cor. 5:13, 11:26).
I believe it is just for this purpose that Joshua 7 was written (1 Cor. 10:11, Rom. 15:4) to warn us that forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, without church discipline preceding the kononia of the Remembrance, the whole assembly suffers. In contrast when the conditions of assembly are met, with the old leaven having been purged, that the Body of Christ may as often (often=the first day of the week) as it gathers for the Memorial, to be cleansed, to regroup, and to take out the Gospel of the Cross to the lost and dying world of desperately sinning humans. If any one does partake unworthily, all will suffer, just as Achan brought down God's judgment and chastening to death of all the People of God for his sins and sinfulness.
Jesus and His Doctrines, the Logos, are in the Bible, not in the tokens of God's reconciliation and peace to us, the bread and blood of the cluster.
Where the corpse is, the eagles gather together.
Where a Catholic convert story is posted, the bigots gather on FR.
... so says the ardent FReminist who always pings her posse, lol.
Again proving that is it usually, thought not always, the Roman Catholic who resorts to the personal attack and/or profanity when the argument goes against them.
I think you’re assuming that I believe what Catholics believe in regards to the Lord’s Supper, and so your arguments aren’t really relevant to me.
I was simply saying that if St. Paul and Jesus refers to the Lord’s Supper as the Body and Blood of Christ, I’m going to take them at their word.
As for salvation in the Lord’s Supper, well, Jesus does say “This cup is the new testament in My blood, which is shed for you for the remission of sins. This do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of Me.” And being the words of the Lord, I can’t ignore the link that Jesus deliberately puts there, just as Catholics shouldn’t ignore Ephesians 2.
So how do we resolve this? I have to get to work; I’ll get you more about the Lord’s Supper and into how we still believe in grace alone and faith alone when I get the chance.
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