A lot of people outside of Catholicism may think that all that Catholic stuff is just a waste of time or even unnecessary, but I have found that it brings me closer to God and keeps me focused on my Christian faith. Sadly, there are likely many Catholics that do not truly embrace the Catholic faith and treat it like a checklist of "I went to church ( Mass ) on Sunday, so I'm good. Now, let's go to the lake and get on the boat."
I love attending weekday Mass when I can. I love wearing my crucifix necklace to remind me of my faith. I love going to adoration and try to spend a full hour rather than just a few minutes. I could go on and on about all the things that many faithful Catholics who embrace the faith do often like say the Rosary, make the sign of the cross and much more, but the important thing about all of it is bringing one closer to Jesus Christ who is the same Jesus Christ that Protestant Christians love so much.
The key reason to pray often is to bring one closer to God. Catholics just have a lot more of those things in their toolbox ( Catholic friend shared toolbox analogy ) and it doesn't bother me. If you have never fully embraced the Catholic faith and lived it daily, you likely have no clue what I'm talking about.
Why Be Catholic?
For me, being Catholic truly is embracing the fullness of the Christian faith. After studying early Church history, what the Catholic Church teaches about itself, getting self out of the way and much more, I had no choice but to become Catholic or reject the TRUTH. But how can anyone knowingly reject the TRUTH?
I think most of us can talk ourselves into rejecting what we believe is TRUE by letting self get in the way. By having too much pride to change ones way of thinking, it can be easy to reject something that's right in front of your face. Other people can get in the way as well. All of us have had times that we think "most my friends and family are ________ ( in this case Protestant would be a good example)." How can I become Catholic and face all the people I know? FYI, get over it.
Hint: Let go of self and let go of what others might think and let God take control no matter where that leads you even if it's becoming, oh no, a CATHOLIC CHRISTIAN.
I became Catholic at 51 years old. I had never, ever, never that I can remember considered becoming Catholic in all of my life until I was 50 years old. I simply just never thought much about it and sadly, I never had a Catholic share their joy, the beauty of Catholicism, their enthusiasm for their Catholic faith and I do believe those Catholics exist.
I don't know if my father, mother and sister will read this or not, but they all know about the site. I said that because I hope all 3 of them will be willing to do whatever God wants for their life even if that is one day becoming Catholic. Rejecting something because it might be a stigma or go against what you have believed all your life is like a sinner rejecting Jesus to live for self. A sinner cannot see the beauty of a Christian life through sinful eyes. Likewise, a non-Catholic Christian cannot see what they are missing in Catholicism by rejecting it due to stigma or self getting in the way.
I wish that I had discovered Catholicism many years ago, but God's timing is not my timing. I'm where God wants me to be. I'm embracing and living the Catholic life.
Are you where God wants you to be?
