The First United Church of Me
I have a friend who calls herself an “angry Catholic.” She doesn’t like the patriarchy that is Rome and is quite against many of the Church’s teachings. Yet she is angry when she does try to participate and engage at a parish and is told that the rules will not be changed to suit her. So she won’t go to Mass, she won’t set foot in church, just keeps saying one day “they” will get it right. And yet, she knows she can’t be happy elsewhere. Fundamental Protestantism about makes her apoplectic. Hmmmm…
There is a woman I know who is involving herself in a pretty shaky situation and asking me to be supportive of her choices. Since I have no room to judge, I will pray for God to move in her life, but must pray for His will. I probably should out and out confront her, but I keep hoping someone else (her pastor) will b/c she has a habit of doing the opposite of advice she receives. My prayer is an authority figure would make a difference.
Another friend, Orthodox, one of the people who truly helped me when I was struggling with my faith, has decided all of a sudden to forgo some of the Lenten practices that she held so dear. She was very devout in her practices and disciplines and one reason I was drawn to in Orthodoxy is their discipline. But she informed me she decided that, “That is really not what Lent should be about.” Ummmm…okay.
I read recently someone’s opinion that many leave the Catholic Church due to poor teaching and poor preaching. I find that amazingly odd. And very sad.
Thankfully, since returning I have been subject to the best teaching and preaching of my life. I have been witness to what God’s “hands and feet” look like. I have been told in no uncertain terms to get over myself, give it up, offer it up and do what is right. It’s not about me. It is about GOD. I’ve never been more convicted. I’m sure I have a million miles to go and don’t look it, but I’ve been told there have been some apparent changes in my demeanor.
What I know to be true is that I left the Catholic Church the first time because I wanted to do what “the rules” said not to. It wasn’t really a Catholic rule; the Baptists would tell me I was wrong, as would the Pentecostals, the Mormons, the Four Square, the Methodists and the Episcopalians…well…maybe some of the Methodists and Episcopalians would have agreed with me (or looked the other way). I wanted God to work my way and I wanted to quit playing by His rules.
The second time I left, I think it was a misplaced sense of duty and guilt instilled from forever back. When I figured out I didn’t like where I was I stayed away out of worry about being judged by other humans and pride.
Pride, meaning I didn’t want to say I was wrong.
There are between 20,000 and 30,000 denominations that claim to be “Christian.” Can they all be right? Who gets to pick and choose?
The problem with “Sola Scriptura” is that someone gets/has to be the “sola,” be it Calvin or Wesley, Moody or Luther…or Joe and Jane Doe in the comfort of their own living room. The problem with “Sola Fide” is that “even the demons believe.”
James 2:17-26
Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?
For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
1 Peter: 17-19
Beloved:
If you invoke as Father him who judges impartially
according to each one’s works,
conduct yourselves with reverence during the time of your sojourning,
realizing that you were ransomed from your futile conduct,
handed on by your ancestors,
not with perishable things like silver or gold
but with the precious blood of Christ
as of a spotless unblemished lamb.
So many people are being part of a church body but saying they don’t want to follow all the rules. There are many “cafeteria Catholics” and just as many Protestants who say, “Well Pastor (or the beliefs statement) says this, but I just can’t see how someone can logically believe that. I am just going to do it the way I know is right.”
“I know it is right in my heart.” “I am going to do it my way.” What lies is the serpent hissing in our ears?
So many churches preach submission of wives to husbands, but who do the husbands submit to? Yes, God—I get that. But who holds them accountable?
As a side note I’ve noticed many churches and individuals these days are following “Catholic” practices; adding Lent, Advent, forty days of fasting…Why bother? Why bother doing “Catholic” things? They certainly aren’t “Sola Scriptura.” They are based on traditions handed down by the early Christians.
So many “solas” out there alone.
They can’t all be right can they?
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