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chewchoo
Guest
ditto - thank you
- Status
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FromTheAshes777
Guest
Hi Susan,
I haven’t had time to read all of the posts as this is getting to be a really long thread! I wanted to say though how great and inspiring your conversion story thus far has been for me and obviously for all those on the forum who have responded and read so far. Praise God for the path that He has you on and for how far He has brought you through His Grace already. The Christian Faith, especially a solidly orthodox Christian faith that is found within the Catholic Church, is a wonderful journey filled with deep riches and great Blessings and Graces. Our Lord Jesus is the only way to be truly fulfilled in this life and of course in the next. Continue following after Him and cling to the Graces that He is granting you. You will not regret it or be disappointed. You continue to be in my prayers. God bless you!
~Josh
I haven’t had time to read all of the posts as this is getting to be a really long thread! I wanted to say though how great and inspiring your conversion story thus far has been for me and obviously for all those on the forum who have responded and read so far. Praise God for the path that He has you on and for how far He has brought you through His Grace already. The Christian Faith, especially a solidly orthodox Christian faith that is found within the Catholic Church, is a wonderful journey filled with deep riches and great Blessings and Graces. Our Lord Jesus is the only way to be truly fulfilled in this life and of course in the next. Continue following after Him and cling to the Graces that He is granting you. You will not regret it or be disappointed. You continue to be in my prayers. God bless you!
~Josh
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jmcrae
Guest
Yes, you will be baptized on the same day that you receive Confirmation and First Holy Communion. There is no need to rush any aspect of this. Do whatever your priest tells you to do, and don’t worry.
If for some reason it seems as if you are going to die before the scheduled date (if you come down with a serious illness, or have a traumatic accident), they will move it up to accomodate you, but they would do all three Sacraments at the same time; not just Baptism - and you would also receive the Anointing of the Sick, as well.
If you die suddenly by accident, there is nothing to worry about - Catechumens have “baptism of desire,” which allows them to face the Judgement Day as a baptized person.
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Liraco
Guest
Definitely a USA-only thing it would seem as I’ve not seen that practice anywhere in the places of Latin America that I’ve been to. As you said yourself Judith, staying at your pew can be a good thing. Feeling pressured into getting up for communion sounds horrible actually (and I wonder if anyone felt pressured into receiving without really knowing what they were doing).
I never heard of “ushers” before. Sounds like something I wouldn’t like seeing adopted here in Mexico. When it comes to collection here, before mass people are asked to volunteer (same for the readings) so that different people have a chance to participate.
The problem with all these “innovations” isn’t really about not liking change or it being a bad thing (otherwise our masses would all still be in Latin), it’s that a lot of these practices seem to turn into the Mass into something more about the people than about worshiping God because some of the reverence is lost.
I agree to not stress over Baptism, especially if your priest already told you when that would be happening. Glad to know you’ve got internet again and that you’re doing alright. God bless.
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CB_Catholic
Guest
I read some of this thread when Judith first posted, but did not subscribe to it, and today I came across it again and decided to read it. I am blown away by your conversion, Judith. I find your story to be one of the most profound I have ever read–because of it’s simplicity. A loving Father reached out to a beloved daughter who did not know Him, and she took His hand in childlike trust and is allowing Him to lead her Home. And not only is He leading her home, she has already discovered that she has a family–in the Communion of Saints-and in people on this earth who have been praying for her.
And I am amazed at the graciousness you have shown concerning your friend. You did not react in bitterness, you have felt sorrow in losing your friend, but you have reacted to this loss with love instead of resentment. And your discovery of Eucharistic adoration and the immediate recognition that it was something special is really a grace from God. You have thrown yourself into the arms of our Savior so willingly and lovingly that I truly believe that God has set you apart to do something very special for Him. You already, in just a couple of months, have become a great witness to our God and His loving care for you even when you were not aware of it. I am sure there are many people lurking on these forums who are reading these posts and experiencing the grace of God by your story. Who knows how many lives you have touched? You certainly have touched mine. When I am down, or have my doubts about God and His love for me or His forgiveness, I am going to remember your story, like I do that of the prodigal son. I truly mean that. Thank you for being so open and willing to share.
On a lighter note, and off-topic, your career in robotics is fascinating. I am a nurse in the recovery room, and about a year ago our hospital invested in the DaVinci Robot for surgery. I am amazed at what this machine can do. So far the surgeons are using it for prostatectomies, cystectomies, and hysterectomies. The benefits to these patients are many, with less bleeding, small incisions, more precise surgery, much quicker recovery times. Especially with prostatectomies, there is far less bleeding, and the machines are so precise that many men have had their sexual function preserved, a big issue in this type of surgery. It is scientists like you that have made these advances possible. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for robotics in the medical field. Just thought I’d throw that in.
God bless you, and welcome home!
And I am amazed at the graciousness you have shown concerning your friend. You did not react in bitterness, you have felt sorrow in losing your friend, but you have reacted to this loss with love instead of resentment. And your discovery of Eucharistic adoration and the immediate recognition that it was something special is really a grace from God. You have thrown yourself into the arms of our Savior so willingly and lovingly that I truly believe that God has set you apart to do something very special for Him. You already, in just a couple of months, have become a great witness to our God and His loving care for you even when you were not aware of it. I am sure there are many people lurking on these forums who are reading these posts and experiencing the grace of God by your story. Who knows how many lives you have touched? You certainly have touched mine. When I am down, or have my doubts about God and His love for me or His forgiveness, I am going to remember your story, like I do that of the prodigal son. I truly mean that. Thank you for being so open and willing to share.
On a lighter note, and off-topic, your career in robotics is fascinating. I am a nurse in the recovery room, and about a year ago our hospital invested in the DaVinci Robot for surgery. I am amazed at what this machine can do. So far the surgeons are using it for prostatectomies, cystectomies, and hysterectomies. The benefits to these patients are many, with less bleeding, small incisions, more precise surgery, much quicker recovery times. Especially with prostatectomies, there is far less bleeding, and the machines are so precise that many men have had their sexual function preserved, a big issue in this type of surgery. It is scientists like you that have made these advances possible. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for robotics in the medical field. Just thought I’d throw that in.
God bless you, and welcome home!
S
Susan_Calvin
Guest
I love the way you describe my conversion. Coincidentally I was thinking about my biological father today. I never knew him, in fact I don’t know who he is at all. One of my mother’s clients I suppose, or one of her pimps. But I’ve always had resentment towards him for not being in my life. I used to dream that he would come see me, and I dreamed he was a famous person, and so on. But today, not sure why exactly, but I realized I had forgiven my father… and I prayed for him! I hoped that, where ever he is, he is happy and God has mercy on him. I felt love and compassion for him, like not for myself as his daughter, but just for HIM, wherever he is in his life. It was weird!! Very profound. I’ve resented him for years…
OH I forgot to mention on here, I guess its been a busy week, but I have a major update about my friend… she has still not spoken to me, but I chatted with her older sister earlier in the week and learned something extremely interesting. When my friend was very young, before she met her husband, she had an extremely abusive boyfriend. I heard all about him from her, but I never knew until this week that he was a Catholic! And according to her sister he “forced” my friend to go to RCIA, she went through the program and is actually a convert to Catholicism herself!
Shortly after converting however, she was able to get away from him. Anyhow so that explains a lot! Actually I understand how she feels in that case. I know how much she hated and feared him, and its like I’m joining the enemy. It would be a difficult thing to deal with. I’m praying for her.Oh, so most people aren’t drawn to Eucharistic adoration? I really felt drawn to it immediately. It being the feast of Corpus Christi too of course, and I was thinking to myself just how much I really do believe in this and how exciting it all is. I feel badly for people who struggle more with believing it.
Yes I agree!I can’t wait to see what the future holds for robotics in the medical field. Just thought I’d throw that in.
I am not of the opinion that we are heading towards terminator-like cyborgs or “insect overlords”. I think robotics is a tremendously exciting and rapidly expanding field which will only enhance our lives and save lives.
M
mlouise007
Guest
Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory forever! I also have enjoyed reading about your journey. It’s always a great gift to watch someone grow in faith, and certainly deepens our own!
If you haven’t already read the How to Become a Catholic here on Catholic Answers you might do that. “For adults and children who have reached the age of reason (age seven), entrance into the Church is governed by the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA), sometimes called the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA).” The Second Vatican Council (Vatican II) revived the catechumenate which was a part of the early Church. The article describes the steps in the RCIA process. You mentioned that the priest told you that you are now a catechumen so apparently you are, and thus are in the catechumenate process, a formal process. (BTW you now have special rights as a catechumen that you didn’t have before. Even though you are not yet a Catholic you have the right to a Christian (Catholic) burial and could be married in the Church just as if you were already a Catholic.
You have mentioned nothing that I see would necessitate you being Baptized, Confirmed and receiving first Holy Communion at a time other than the Easter Vigil, a glorious occasion for the entire community. We rejoice in the great gift of new members joining the Body of Christ through these sacraments in the Vigil. The entire season of Easter, which just concluded last Sunday with Pentecost, is a time when we specifically are recalling our own baptism, replete with references to water. The priest will typically walk throughout the church sprinkling us with holy water, a reference to our own baptism many years ago, or, for the recently baptized neophytes, just days or weeks ago.
Since you are unclear about what to expect in the months ahead I encourage you to speak to your priest again soon and ask for an outline of what lies ahead on this journey to Baptism, Confirmation and first Holy Communion which for you as an adult would all happen at the same Mass.
I’m sure the Sisters you are planning to visit are all very familiar with the RCIA. My sponsor when I was a catechumen was a sister. I hope at some point in your journey there will be others in your parish who will come into the catechumenate and you’ll be able to be part of an ongoing group of catechumens. My experience as a member of an RCIA team is that there’s a great bonding and enriching that occurs in the shared walk with others who are coming into the Church. In my parish we now have a year round catechumenate, which is the goal of the RCIA, but it’s quite common that parishes begin the RCIA in the fall in preparation for the Easter Vigil, so perhaps you’ll be joined on your journey by others in the fall.
I tried to read thru most of the posts here but I’m sure you’ll understand I may have missed it if someone has already addressed this. It seemed you were still looking for clarification. Hopefully the article will make it clearer and give you specifics to ask your priest to clarify as well.
God bless- Mary Louise
I’m not familiar with that option (the option to be baptized right away) other than as has been mentioned in cases of necessity i.e. if you are in the near occasion of death which it seems we can assume won’t be necessary in your case.
If you haven’t already read the How to Become a Catholic here on Catholic Answers you might do that. “For adults and children who have reached the age of reason (age seven), entrance into the Church is governed by the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA), sometimes called the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA).” The Second Vatican Council (Vatican II) revived the catechumenate which was a part of the early Church. The article describes the steps in the RCIA process. You mentioned that the priest told you that you are now a catechumen so apparently you are, and thus are in the catechumenate process, a formal process. (BTW you now have special rights as a catechumen that you didn’t have before. Even though you are not yet a Catholic you have the right to a Christian (Catholic) burial and could be married in the Church just as if you were already a Catholic.You have mentioned nothing that I see would necessitate you being Baptized, Confirmed and receiving first Holy Communion at a time other than the Easter Vigil, a glorious occasion for the entire community. We rejoice in the great gift of new members joining the Body of Christ through these sacraments in the Vigil. The entire season of Easter, which just concluded last Sunday with Pentecost, is a time when we specifically are recalling our own baptism, replete with references to water. The priest will typically walk throughout the church sprinkling us with holy water, a reference to our own baptism many years ago, or, for the recently baptized neophytes, just days or weeks ago.
Since you are unclear about what to expect in the months ahead I encourage you to speak to your priest again soon and ask for an outline of what lies ahead on this journey to Baptism, Confirmation and first Holy Communion which for you as an adult would all happen at the same Mass.
I’m sure the Sisters you are planning to visit are all very familiar with the RCIA. My sponsor when I was a catechumen was a sister.
I hope at some point in your journey there will be others in your parish who will come into the catechumenate and you’ll be able to be part of an ongoing group of catechumens. My experience as a member of an RCIA team is that there’s a great bonding and enriching that occurs in the shared walk with others who are coming into the Church. In my parish we now have a year round catechumenate, which is the goal of the RCIA, but it’s quite common that parishes begin the RCIA in the fall in preparation for the Easter Vigil, so perhaps you’ll be joined on your journey by others in the fall.I tried to read thru most of the posts here but I’m sure you’ll understand I may have missed it if someone has already addressed this. It seemed you were still looking for clarification. Hopefully the article will make it clearer and give you specifics to ask your priest to clarify as well.
God bless- Mary Louise
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Susan_Calvin
Guest
That’s fine, thanks for the information, I really appreciate it. Thanks to everyone who commented. The idea of being baptized right away is interesting but I’m going to listen to the priest. He said I will be baptized at Easter, either this coming Easter or the next depending on how quickly I progress. I’m aiming for this Easter. I like the idea of being baptized then too, because it was around Easter this year that I first felt the desire to attend mass.
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Susan_Calvin
Guest
No I hadn’t heard of it, thanks so much for the recommendation! It sounds good and I’m wanting to read as much as I can. I don’t have much time, but I am also not much of a TV or video games person so my evenings are mostly free to read. I want to thank everyone actually for all the book recommendations. I went through the entire thread last night and listed everyone’s suggestions and I have enough for a small bookshelf already!
I was thinking also, to help myself with praying, I would make a small home shrine. I found this thread and I love all the photos people submitted of their own shrines:
forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=219439&highlight=home+altar
I’m really excited to design my own! There is a store here with icons, statues and so on, so I’m going to go there and browse very soon. I’ll likely post a pic in the other thread once its completed.
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Susan_Calvin
Guest
Ah OK. That sounds amazing! I will look into it in that case. I’m sure there must be one here.
It might seem like I’m non-chalant, but that’s just my personality in general. Once I have made a decision, its very firm and I commit to it 100%. I know this particular decision is quite unique, but still, its largely my personality. If you knew me personally you’d understand a bit better. I’m a bit on the impulsive side and I like to take risks. Its worked in my favour the majority of the time. Having this kind of personality is the reason I’ve done so well in my career. I thrive on change, I love learning new things. In this case, I have decided I have found something wonderful and there is enough “evidence” to convince me. Actually I didn’t need much convincing at all, as I simply think of the Sisters and the priest from my childhood. Knowing how good they were, and that this is their belief, what they base their entire lives on - its enough for me. If I could be half the person they all are/were, I would be very grateful. I am trusting in God for the rest.
Yes me too. I have met a few people now, I know a dozen or so people by name, who also come to daily mass. Plus I am getting to know the Sister who is teaching me, and two other Sisters. And my pastor of course. On the weekend I volunteered to help with cleaning the sanctuary, and met more people that way. Then I was invited to have lunch with some of them afterwards, including my pastor. I would like to do more as far as volunteering, it felt really good to help. Not being Catholic though there isn’t a lot I am able to do yet. I did offer to help with any computer problems they have. It would be pretty basic stuff for me but if they need help I’m willing, and they were kind of excited so I think they might be taking me up on it, especially for their website which hasn’t been updated for a year or so.
That is awesome about Pope John Paul II. I don’t know much about him except that when I saw older photos of him I thought he was a very attractive looking man. :blushing: Now that you are telling me this about him though I am intrigued. I love to read about people who have lost their families and endured trauma as that is my experience essentially and I can really relate.
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Susan_Calvin
Guest
Thanks for this answer… its really good to keep this in mind. He is not Catholic, but I read C.S. Lewis on this subject also, and its good to remember God is very much “above” me in terms of what He can do simultaneously. I mean He is God afterall, so He can do anything and everything! Its good to know He’s interested in me, even the mundane aspects of my daily life. Actually it just occurred to me why wouldn’t He be… I believe Mother is personally interested in me, even now, so why not God?? All the moreso in his case!God cares about every single detail about you. He is fascinated every day to count the hairs on your head, and the pores on your skin. He knows every blood vessel and every cell. He has named each and every one of the little bugs and things that are hitching rides in your immune system. He is totally fascinated by everything about you, including even your most minor little concerns. You must never worry about “bothering” God with the details of your life. Feel confident to approach Him with even your smallest problems, and don’t hesitate to go to Him first whenever you need anything at all, no matter how small or how large. God wants to help you, and He is only waiting to be invited.
God is not like us. Doing one thing does not distract him from doing other things. God can keep the planets in their orbit, and keep the gravity operating, and the tides and the seasons in their proper order, while also helping you look for your car keys, and listening to you mention that you need more sleep.
po18guy
Well-known member
This is quite amazing! The Lord has called you to faith, as He does with each of us. The difference between you and your friend is that you have responded. You are drawing ever closer and experiencing true peace for perhaps the first time, while she is moving away and still full of spiritual turmoil.OH I forgot to mention on here, I guess its been a busy week, but I have a major update about my friend… she has still not spoken to me, but I chatted with her older sister earlier in the week and learned something extremely interesting. When my friend was very young, before she met her husband, she had an extremely abusive boyfriend. I heard all about him from her, but I never knew until this week that he was a Catholic! And according to her sister he “forced” my friend to go to RCIA, she went through the program and is actually a convert to Catholicism herself!
Her reaction is completely understandable, and remains a product of how she still views the entire situation. Your example to her will reveal that her experience was not genuine. She may even resent you more as she sees the peace and joy that you now possess. Your forgiveness of your father is yet another sign of your conversion of heart. After years of wondering about him, and hoping for some sort of good news, you have realized the actual “good news” through your faith. You have both forgiven him, which is good for you, and are praying for him, which is good for him. It’s a two-fer!
As to your friend, patience and prayer will open her eyes to the beauty that you have experienced and are embracing. The difference in your case is that you felt God’s call, and without knowing why at the time, responded to it. She did not want to feel His invitation, and is still pushing away from it. Speaking of “two-fers”, The Lord also uses two-fers for the sake of His Kingdom. He is delighted in your loving response to Him and your continuing wonder at that which has been revealed to you. He will also allow your example to reveal to your friend what a true conversion of heart really is.
It is only natural that you responded well to the Eucharistic Lord in adoration, since you have responded so well to the Lord’s invitation in general. Adoration is the most underutilized blessing in the Church. We read scripture regarding how the crowds gathered around Jesus when He spoke. Adoration is His presence among us, and the crowds should be just as large - if we truly believed that it is Him! Spending time with our Lord is a most peaceful and spirit-enhancing experience. I have seen absolutely supernatural things occur while in prayer before Him - minor miracles, actually. Lately, I cannot take my eyes off of Him when I am with Him.
For those who think that miracles do not happen anymore, I submit this entire thread. As we are called to submit to God’s invitation, we are also called to marvel at, and bear witness to, the miracles which He accomplishes right before our eyes. You remain in my prayers.
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luminoushope
Guest
This is truly amazing. Here the truth comes out, and there are possibilities for healing for your friend and everyone around her (for her situation, too, is like throwing a rock into a pond). These possibilities would never have existed had you not come into the Faith. It is amazing to see how God works. As you spend time in prayer you will know how to pray, what to say and do. This is a devastatingly sad situation and the ex-boyfriend needs prayer too. Any living person can be redeemed. This is not simply a matter of your friend rejecting the Faith, but of her being very badly mistreated, and then that mistreatment being wrongly connected to the Faith. If possible, it should be communicated to her that the actions of one disordered person, which frightened and hurt her so much, have nothing to do with the Holy Catholic Church itself. You, yourself, exemplify that fact.OH I forgot to mention on here, I guess its been a busy week, but I have a major update about my friend… she has still not spoken to me, but I chatted with her older sister earlier in the week and learned something extremely interesting. When my friend was very young, before she met her husband, she had an extremely abusive boyfriend. I heard all about him from her, but I never knew until this week that he was a Catholic! And according to her sister he “forced” my friend to go to RCIA, she went through the program and is actually a convert to Catholicism herself!
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grandfather
Guest
I think this explains a lot, like why things are going so fast for you. She is behind what is happening to you. Her soul goes to its reward and is with God. She tells him this one, Judith, is mine. I care for her and love her. I want some special graces for her that will draw her to holiness quickly.
Just my specualtion.
What is going on is amazing enough, and unusual. What is ahead, God knows.
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grandfather
Guest
Saint Thomas Aquinas who lived in the 13th century is considered by many as the greatest thinker, theologian, in Church history. You are reading St. Theresa of Avila. Her work is considered mystical. The origin is from extraordinary spiritual experiences. The thought of St. Thomas is more in the area of systematic theology. He takes what God reveals and analyzes it intellectually and builds on it to develop an amazing body of knowledge. It is kind of like using logic to build a math system. If A is true and B is true then C…
Anyway, you might be interested in something Saint Thomas said. God is so much “above” us, that we can only learn things about God by analogy. God is infinite and we are finite. An analogy might be, you can do processes on the computer you use at work that you can not do on your handheld calculator. Our minds can not contain God.
So Jesus taught by analogy. “The kingdom of heaven is like a sower who went out to sow seeds, or a housewife who lost a silver coin, or a shepherd of a flock of 99 sheep who lost one…” and many other analogies. Saint Thomas said we can have no direct knowledge of God. He is too great for us to comprehend directly.
Divine revelation and theology can tell us many truths about ourselves and God, but they never answer all of our questions. Some mystery always remains. This leaves us not knowing everything, but always relying on faith and trust, like children.
A
Al_Masetti
Guest
St. Thomas Aquinas ~ 1200 AD ] was probably the greatest writer of the second thousand years of Christianity. St. Augustine ~ 300 AD ]was probably the greatest writer of the first thousand years of Christianity. Both authors are still “in print”. Augustine’s sermons are on the internet.
Aquinas wrote a LOT. And you’re better off reading Aquinas in a Latin-English edition, because some of the more recent translations are, in my opinion, poorly done … so you’re better off sometimes going back and forth between the Latin and the English … so that if something sounds confusing in the English, you can refer back to the Latin … even if it is a struggle. Most decent Catholic college libraries have hundreds of Aquinas’ books.
EVEN SO, even with the extensive writing and studying and thinking, one day Aquinas was given a vision of Heaven … and afterwards, he tried to burn his own work because he felt it was so inadequate. He said it was “like straw”.
I just wanted to post that because there is a tendency among some to try to make God into our image and likeness … to try to describe the Infinite God in human terms [which after all is reasonable because we humans are … human and finite]. But Aquinas, when he was given a glimpse of the Real Infinite God in God’s terms, realized how far short of the mark, how inadequate, even his own eloquent writing was.
Something to keep in mind.
If you all get an opportunity to engage in Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration, take advantage of it. Just sit there and let God’s Grace fill you. Not just one time, but a regular weekly hour with Him. And, if you get lucky, you might even get treated to a breakthrough such as St. Thomas Aquinas experienced. You can’t wish it or close your eyes and pull it in. But, maybe, just maybe, there might someday be a … glimpse … a feeling … a thought … as a gift from God.
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Susan_Calvin
Guest
Ah OK thanks! Good to know, I had thought Jesus was not a real rabbi, that it was a title. And yes the word does mean teacher. By rabbi I tend to think of someone who is the graduate of a rabbinical yeshiva. I didn’t figure Jesus was one, I mean obviously he was learned but I didn’t think he had formally trained in a yeshiva… I’m not certain yeshivas existed then actually. I know it technically has its roots around the time the Talmud was written, but Rabbinic Judaism as we know it only really took off after the fall of the Temple. I think of Jesus more as a priest than a rabbi.
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Susan_Calvin
Guest
That’s a relief, thanks. Honestly I’m a bit worried about it for when I go home, though I’m sure I’ll adjust.
Always For Him:
Me too!! I’m very excited about it.
Always For Him:
Yes I’m feeling quite a bit better thanks, and have more or less caught with everything, excepting this thread, which just keeps expanding in my absence!
Always For Him:
So far I’m not finding it that difficult. Which leads me to wonder if I’m either a) missing the whole point of it, or b) because I was warned how difficult it was, I was expecting more difficulty. I don’t know… I’ve studied books from the 1500s and earlier before, and I’ve always enjoyed them. Not that its the same by any means, but I’ve read a fair bit of Spinoza and Maimonides and didn’t have much difficulty with them either. I’ve been able to read them both with what I hope was at least some degree of understanding, though as I say I might be missing something. The nice thing about this edition of the Way of Perfection is it includes translator’s notes, which I enjoy reading also. Also I try to keep it in the context of when and for whom it was written, which definitely helps.
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grandfather
Guest
Jesus is priest, prophet and king, a threefold office. Through baptism we share with Him in His office. A better word might be participate.
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grandfather
Guest
Everyone is different. When I read spiritual treatises I get stuck. I read a few sentences and wonder about them for hours and can’t move on. I also discover things I missed and wonder how I could have missed them. It seems impossible to me to grasp the entire meaning of something that is very deep on the first pass. There are complexities and nuances I always miss and often different levels of meaning.
There is a difference between knowing about something and knowing the thing. We can know about God without knowing God. Your soul is made to know God, intimately, not from a distance.
- Status