Not a Catholic Growing Up
R.C.I.A. has changed my life. This is an interesting
statement given the fact that I begrudgingly attended my first class. Not
only did I not want to go to the class, but I got there and there is this
man teaching the class that I thought was full of himself and he was
teaching the doctrine of a church that is full of itself.
Please understand my history. I was not a Catholic growing up, in fact I had
no religion and God was not spoken in our house. Yes, we celebrated
Christmas and Easter, but these were holidays of a rabbit and a fat man in a
red suit. On top of not having a faith while growing up, my parents sent me
to Catholic school for a better education. At school we went through
catechism classes and attended Mass often. I was not able to enjoy many of
the same things that my classmates were doing; for example, First Communion.
Furthermore, I misunderstood many of the teachings of the church. My
thinking was that if I were to die, that I would go to hell (because I was
not baptized). Understand I was a little guy (6 or 7 years of age). I would
spend many hours every night praying that if I were to die that God please
see fit to accept me into heaven.
My
misunderstanding led me to turn from God and the church. I soon found myself
in a different world; one of drug addiction; hospitals, jails, and rehabs.
After years of this life, I found God, the same one that had been there all
my life. I can look back and see many instances in my life that many people
would not have made it out of. God had a plan for my life. WOW, imagine
that.
I am
getting married to a Catholic. Her dream has always been a giant wedding in
the church. So as I previously said, I begrudgingly came to R.C.I.A. Guess
what happened? I FEEL A NEW HOME!
I found a
church full of love and compassion. While I hated going to the first class,
I look forward to going to class and Mass and look forward to sharing the
Lord’s Table and being able to serve. What a change.
Oh, and
the fore mentioned man that teaches the class, turns out he is one of the
most loving caring people I have ever met.
I was on
vacation visiting my fiancé in Mexico, so I missed a few classes, when I
returned Deacon John put his arm on my shoulder and asked me how it was
going. It may seem like a petty gesture of kindness, but, not many people
remember names these days let alone the fact that he remembered that I was
out of the country visiting my fiancé.
For
Confirmation we need to choose a Saint. I chose St. Paul. I feel like I was
Saul of Tarsus and with the help of R.C.I.A. God has, and is calling me to a
different life, one of service and devotion to
Him.
J. F. |
