Reporting in, the "Cradle Catholic" (raised Catholic since birth), that knew so little about the faith and the Church. Oh, I acted like I knew everything when I went to Church twice a year.I understood about loving Jesus but not what He taught about tradition and worship.So, during Mass, I moved my lips while everyone else used actual words to praise God. I sat at the back so I could imitate everyone when they'd kneel, sit or stand. I knew nothing at all of the Church, but could easily criticize it with my mouth or at the very least, hate going. It took about 38 years until I started seeking answers, because I wondered what the heck am I doing here?? Is this really important?? I didn't hate the Church but I was not particularly fond of it. I just had my Catholic Club card, so to speak. I have come across people that do hate the Church. This leads to my blog entry today...but first watch this video, and learn some +ve truths that are not shared in the media today about the Catholic Church!
"There are not a hundred people in America who hate the Catholic Church. There are millions of people who hate what they wrongly believe to be the Catholic Church — which is, of course, quite a different thing."Bishop Fulton Sheen
Millions of people can't be blamed for hating the Catholic Church because we adore statues, we put Mary at the same level as God, we pay money to have our sins forgiven. If we taught or believed any of these things we should be hated. But we don't! This hatred is directed against error and not truth. If these things were true we would hate the Catholic Church a thousand times more than they do. These thoughts all from a brilliant man, Bishop Fulton Sheen.
He says further, that if you are not Catholic you need to look for the Church in our times that is most hated, as Jesus was back in the day. Look for a Church that is behind the times, as our Lord was accused of being ignorant. Look for a Church that men sneer at because men sneered at Jesus of Nazareth. Look for the Church being accused of having the Devil, because Jesus was accused of being possessed by the Prince of Devils. Look for the Church which the world rejects because it claims itself infallible because Jesus was the Truth and the Way. Well, let the innocent man cast the first stone.
Many people (including me in the past), speak of many terrible things that happened in the history of the Catholic Church. Inquisitions to sex scandals. Not to downplay these atrocities, but, just as all churches, clubs, organizations, schools, families, etc. are made up of man , so do they have skeletons in their closets. If the CC didn't have any over it's 2,000 years, I would be shocked! There were times as a Catholic, that I couldn't help but hang my head in shame. Due to what I or others neglected to do as a Church and community. What we did do that caused harm. Apologies have been made with great sincerity.Has anyone really heard them? Is there that forgiveness that Jesus spoke of?
I could be a sheep just following the herd, but, I needed to know and found out why I am a part of this Church, why I am a Catholic/Christian? After all these years learning about my faith, I get restless. But, I think that unrest is important as it stirs up productivity and does not allow complacency in. Have you been complacent or angry at the Church? Ignorant of the Church? Well, you're invited to dive in because the water here is fabulous! Tear down the wall of prejudice and error by seeking answers. Dare I say, don't be knucklehead like I was. Oh, maybe I still am, but, I am a better educated resigning knucklehead learning about this voluminous Christian faith called Catholicism. A great place to get answers is by going to this website: http://www.catholic.com/
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