Why I'm Not Catholic

[teme]

(1) When Christ said he was building his church upon a rock, recall that Peter had just confessed him as Lord. Was Christ saying that he was building his church on Peter as a person or on the testimony Peter had just given? Not an easy question to answer with any certainty unless you consider the church your one and only authority. I prefer to ponder the scrptures myself. Is that a sin??

I understand your point, however it is based on a faulty assumption of linguistics. This argument of that the statement is the foundation Jesus established, rather than Peter comes from greek translations of the text, where Peter is “Petros” and Rock is “Petra”. Those interpreting as you do make the argument that the use of “Petra” means the statement, not the person Peter. However, Christ spoke not in Greek. As well, in the greek, if Jesus were to say “Petra” referring to Peter rather than Petros, that translation would leave Jesus would be calling him a woman. As well, all greek words in my understanding of the words used for statement are masculine, and therefore Petra could not be referring to it either. In fact, the greek word for church is feminine, so if we extend the linguistics, Christ established male rock (Peter) to head the female rock (Church), showing again the establishment of male priesthood exclusively. The rock upon which the Church is founded is that of Peter.

But, using this faulty line of thinking can actually still lead to a greater truth. If we assume for the moment that Jesus were saying that the statement was the truth Jesus would establish His Church upon, what does that tell us? Peter was the voice of that truth. Peter was also renamed seremoniously. Sounds quite a bit like the first papal conclave completed there doesn’t it?

(2) Now, the notion that the Catholic Church is the only church in which Christ is physically present depends upon acceptance of transubstantiation - the dogma that through the priest bread and wine are transformed into the literal body and body of Christ during mass. I have trouble with that as do millions of modern Catholics. It smacks of the primitive notion that God is only satisfied with a blood (human) sacrifice. Besides, isn’t Christ alive everywhere and at all times? Or, is that heresy?

You are correct in that Christ’s physical presence requires transubstantiation. I understand the difficulty, as believing that bread and wine transform into Christ’s body and blood is almost as difficult to believe as Christ (God) taking on human flesh, allowing Himself to be crucified, and then rising from the dead. Christ is spiritually present with all of us, especially valiant, who has yet to know the physical presence of Christ. God bless him, and all those who fight tooth and nail to join the feast with our Lord!

 

[Teelynn]

It never occurred to me to not become Catholic because of a Wednesday night scheduling conflict. Is this for real?? I thought it was a search for truth.

If you read the entire post you will see that he was told he would have to wait because of the conflict, giving the impression to him by the parishes (and would have to me if I were in these circumstances) that nothing else could be worked out.

Seems to me that no one at either of these parishes is putting on their creative thinking cap to help him into The Church. You’d think someone would be bending over backwards to help him become a Catholic. Strange kind of evangalization if you ask me.

 

[larry85704]

Good for you ValiantDomain!

Tell you a story. When my wife died my daughter was 6. For the funeral she wanted to go to communion. I asked a nun. She said it would be ok. After the funeral, my daughter said she wanted to keep going to communion, so I asked the pastor. He said ok, but Maria had to go to the classes in a couple of years.

Years go by.

Maria is in class for communion. The director of religious education stopped me one day and told me off, or tried to. She had’nt said it was ok for Maria to go to Communion. She was irate. I told her the pastor said it was ok. She was still irate. It was her last year in that position, I don’t know why. I never talked to her again.

God works. He worked for me and for you. At times no details are too small. It is nice to know that, for whatever reason, things work out. I hope you enjoy your RCIA classes and being Catholic.

Larry.

 

[milde]

If you read the entire post you will see that he was told he would have to wait because of the conflict, giving the impression to him by the parishes (and would have to me if I were in these circumstances) that nothing else could be worked out.

Seems to me that no one at either of these parishes is putting on their creative thinking cap to help him into The Church. You’d think someone would be bending over backwards to help him become a Catholic. Strange kind of evangalization if you ask me.

OK, so he avoided being Catholic, quite possibly damning himself to the fires of hell for eternity, because no one at a local parish was willing to work out a scheduling conflict with him.

Something tells me this original post was created as humor but is being taken seriously.

 

[Teelynn]

OK, so he avoided being Catholic, quite possibly damning himself to the fires of hell for eternity, because no one at a local parish was willing to work out a scheduling conflict with him.

Something tells me this original post was created as humor but is being taken seriously.

This post is not even deserving of a response.

 

[Sailor_Kenshin]

You mentioned that you had to stop going to a certain parish because of “parish boundaries.” I’m guessing that the people who told you that are just plain wrong. Many years ago, the church rules said that you had to stay within your “parish boundary.” This rule has changed (because of some Canon Law, I think). I think that you should be able to sign up for RCIA in any parish that you please. I hope this helps.

I did that—sort of ‘church-shopped’ until I found a parish I felt comfortable with—AND one whose priest virtually yanked me by the throat into RCIA!

Don’t give up.

 

[peary]

For one, I *really *wanted to be able to receive the Eucharist. In my studies and in the period of time that I decided I wanted to become Catholic, I learned an exceptionally lot more about Catholicism and the Catholic faith! It wasn’t as if for me to accept the Eucharist would be like be stepping in line at a cafeteria because I realized the full significance of the Eucharist. Secondly, I hated not being able to receive the Eucharist. I would still occasionally walk to the front in order to be blessed; however, after a while, I became really self-conscious and disliked having to cross my arms like the 3-4 year olds, but I also disliked having to remain in the pew so those receiving the Eucharist could trip all over me trying to get in and out. Plus, I wouldn’t be able to attend RCIA until the Fall of 2008, which seems like an eternity to wait to receive the Eucharist and be able to participate **fully **in the life of the Church when I personally felt ready.

After some time, I grew more and more reluctant to continue going to the parish because I wasn’t able to receive the Eucharist for the reasons outlined above until I stopped going altogether. Regardless, my faith has stuck with me all this time. I’ve continued to feel drawn to the Catholic faith and to a life in the Church, but every time I think about giving it another shot, the same bitter feelings resurface. I’ve spoken with many Catholic friends during the time I stopped attending, but no one seems to be able to fully empathize with my plight and give me any advice worthy of solving the problem (if there is a solution at all!). I have been told “to get over myself,” and I have been told numerous times why the *RCIA *process is in place - but it’s not the RCIA process I’m totally against so much as it is the fact this particular parish, which happens to be one of the only two larger parishes in my area, is unwilling to change days or allow me some other method of completing the necessary education.

Recently, I’ve started attending the parish again…with a slightly less heavy heart. I’m still disappointed that I’m denied access to the Eucharist when I love the Eucharist so much…or at least the concept behind it. I’ve been told by so many people, “You’ll make a good Catholic,” or, “You so sound like a Catholic,” but how can I ever become Catholic and participate in the life of the Church when I barred from doing so because of situations which are essentially out of my hands? I must complete grad school! Am I to be punished for this?

John 6

 

[TripleM]

Valiant,

The eucharist is worth fighting and waiting for. Many people in history were persecuted and laid down their life for the right to receive this blessed sacrament.

I admire your determination in this struggle.
You’re going to truly cherish and adore the eucharist (and you’re right to receive it) once everything is said and done and what a blessing this is to you!!

Keep fighting those forces that seem to stand in you’re way! God is at your side and he knows and appreciates your struggle.

You’re in my thoughts and prayers…

 

[Deconi]

Valiant

It sounds like you are destined to be a ‘good’ if not a ‘great’ Catholic. Certainly, your frustrations seem to be a test between your want and what God wants! Try not to ask why you are being punished for it means you are being unnecessarily being judgemental. Obviously, you have great intellect which you continue to further through your continuing studies.

If you are being ‘tested’ be aware that DOUBT will pay a visit, and there may be more obstacles to come!

Try whispering to yourself, “Father, your will be done” when obstacles are encountered. I also think your non de plume (Valiant) may not have been ‘accidental.’

HOLD FAST…and God Bless your journey.