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April 09, 2006
Finding faith ....
Thanks to the Anchoress, in her post entitled "Conversion is to turn 2 stories"I found this incredible piece of writing by someone searching for a faith they are comfortable with. Writing under the title of Molten Thought, the author is someone who has been born and raised in a Protestant tradition, but who, like many before and no doubt in the future, has found the spiritual fare in that tradition a little lacking in many respects. I am impressed by the amount of thought that has gone into this persons spiritual journey - not least by the careful consideration and obvious sadness with which it has been done.
There must be many others who listen to sermons such as those the writer of Molten Thought has described and wonder if this is really the message of the Gospel. As a child I too heard sermons condemning Catholics as "idolators" and, as I grew I began to question both the validity of that statement and the depth of understanding of the Gospel and its message in many such congregations. Happily I found my way to an Anglo-catholic congregation as a teenager and have happily served the Lord in like congregations ever since. It is never more true to acknowledge the saying that "every journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step" than in the context of anyone's journey in faith. The essential first step in this case is always the awakening realisation that there is a much deeper sense of faith outside of the pretty and comfortable Sunday School stories and platitudes one commonly gets in a fundamentalist understanding of the Gospel, the Bible and faith.
It is telling that a couple who regularly appear at the Abbey for Evensong and who live remote from this community, tell me that they are "Pentecostalists", but that they have not found in their own congregation, a reverence for the Word of God or its meaning to equal that shown in the Abbey.
I am of the belief that the Lord rejoices in all his children, including those who stand outside of the fold of any denomination or church, but I also believe that he rejoices even more in the efforts of those who seek to know him better and who actively seek to find understanding of his purpose. Like the Anchoress I do not necessarily seek to convert someone to my faith or my denomination, but if someone wishes to explore that path, I will certainly stand ready to assist in any way I can. It is, after all, a part of my own journey through and in faith.
The late Pope John Paul II was a great Christian and a very humble one, and, if there is one thing I hope I may share with him at journey's end it is his final words.
"All my life I have sought you, and now you come to me!"
Amen
Posted by The Gray Monk at April 9, 2006 12:38 PM
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Comments
Thank you so much. I am truly honored to have your mention. And yes, the Catholic Church is opening up huge (and quietly earth-shaking) vistas for both myself and Teflon.
In Christ,
WG
Posted by: WordGirl at May 2, 2006 12:08 PM