Strength for the Journey

Why in the world would ANYBODY want to be Catholic? Do you know what you get by reconciling yourself to the Church? Here's a list of some possibilities:


*Persecution from family and friends

*Rejection by family and friends

*Rejection from homeschooling groups because you can no longer sign their Sola Scriptura Statement of Faith

*Ridicule in public by “Christians” with bullhorns and signs that read "The Pope is the Anti-Christ!" along side their signs that read “God hates fags!”

*Humiliation as you stumble over our history: the Inquisition, Reformation, smoking Bibles, and burning heretics (2000 years' worth)

*Accusations of Mary worship, idolatry and the like

*Shame over things like the Priest-abuse scandal

*Sadness at the infidelity to Church Teachings

*Frustration over the poor Catechesis (teaching)


Why would anyone deliberately put themselves in that kind of situation, I ask you? Well, there is only one reason: Christ in the Eucharist.

When you fall in love with the Church, you thirst for the Eucharist. And when you thirst for the Eucharist, you become faithful and obedient to the Church and Her Teachings.

And all the rest, we must offer up as Redemptive Suffering, our Crosses to bear. We follow Christ's teachings as best and as fervently as we are able, and we die unto ourselves, and lay down our lives for these people who stink so badly…because we’re one of them.

You see, Protestantism is easy: everybody loves everybody, everyone is at peace, and in harmony. Protestants get to praise the Lord and pass the banana pudding while they fellowship. It seems so joyful there, so full of the Holy Spirit, such a blessing. Well, I’d say it is easy to present a united front when you’re not really united. When you squabble with your brothers or sisters, you just move on to another church. Catholics are stuck with one another.

In the Catholic Church, you’ll find suffering. You’ll find sinners. You’ll find people who don’t believe, who are irreverent, disobedient, slothful about their Faith. It’s where the tares are growing among the wheat. Isn’t that what Jesus said the Church would look like?

And it’s Holy, in spite of itself. Oh, the people aren’t holy, although many of us strive for holiness. The Church is Holy because Christ is at its head.

But it’s a struggle. Israel means “struggle with God”. And since the Church is the New Israel, it should be no surprise that we struggle in our relationship with God, both personally and corporately.

But who wants to struggle? It’s hard and it’s challenging! And it comes with all that suffering and heartache that I mentioned earlier. But it is so, so worth it. When you receive the Eucharist and believe, you know you are partaking of His Divine Nature. The Eucharist is the only thing that can sustain you through it all.

Strength for the Journey.