May 1, 2008 11:43 AM
Evangelical to Catholic #22 - Celebrating the Ascension
[Note: this is part of a continuing series chronicling my journey from evangelicalism to Catholicism. This series is not meant to cause division, but to reveal division already there - and to spark honest discussion. As an evangelical I've heard and continue to hear lots of criticism of the Catholic church but little self-examination on the Protestant side. So if my comments seem more directed towards questioning nonCatholic believers, that is why. Please, if you are new to this discussion, realize that a lot of ground has already been covered in the comments and read through those on previous entries before rehashing old news. I am receiving a lot of feedback that this has been an eye-opening and thought-provoking series for many believers on either side. If that is the case, then I consider my call as a writer fulfilled. I can only hope that each of us is examining his/her conscience for areas of stubbornness, presumption and pride.]
One of the joys of Catholicism is that I am finding my own life becoming more centered around the events of Jesus' life - rather than this teacher's or that teacher's take on a few Bible verses. While people like Beth Moore and Elisabeth Elliot and others are very, very helpful, I am reminded that the stark simplicity of my faith is the Life of Jesus - and the importance of focusing on HIM.
Today in our Mass readings, we remember the Ascension of Jesus, 40 days after Easter:
Acts 1:3-11In the first book, Theophilus, I dealt with all that Jesus did and taught until the day he was taken up, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen.
He presented himself alive to them by many proofs after he had suffered, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.
While meeting with the them, he enjoined them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for “the promise of the Father about which you have heard me speak; for John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
When they had gathered together they asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”
He answered them, “It is not for you to know the times or seasons that the Father has established by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
When he had said this, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him from their sight. While they were looking intently at the sky as he was going, suddenly two men dressed in white garments stood beside them.
They said, “Men of Galilee, why are you standing there looking at the sky? This Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven will return in the same way as you have seen him going into heaven.”
Whew! Hearing that really, really has me looking forward to Pentecost, when we will remember vividly the Impartation of the Holy Spirit to the disciples. I find myself really identifying with the apostles as they hear Jesus' promise and believe it. I love being reminded to remember these significant events in an orderly fashion, knowing that throughout the world believers are focused on the same verses and giving thanks with the communion of saints here and in heaven.
As a former anti-Catholic, I had so many misconceptions about the Catholic Church. I realize that this prejudice has been handed down through generations and that many critics of Catholicism haven't a clue what it's all about.
At Masses - celebrated every day in churches around the world - each day we hear two readings, participate in a responsive Psalm, and hear the Gospel. So much pure Scripture! Direct from God to our ears and hearts.
Check it out. You can find out what Catholics are up to by reading all the Scriptures we heard at Mass today (including Acts, Ephesians, Psalms and Matthew): The Ascension of the Lord
So shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; It shall not return to me void, but shall do my will, achieving the end for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:11
And I really like that the Catholic church allows me the freedom to listen to the word unadorned with a lot of human interpretation. A much more contemplative experience.
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Art note: John Singleton Copley. Ascension. 1775. Oil on canvas. 81 x 73 cm. The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, MA
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Comments
Oh Barbara, as a cradle catholic i would love love to hear what the misconceptions are about us. i know that people think we worship statues and that we can't pray directly go God..but what else??? this has always interested me...i probably should consult my apologetics book...but you are more fun:)
Posted by: sheri | May 1, 2008 12:50 PM
I absolutely understand what you mean about loving the Liturgy of the Word. I enjoy being able to discuss the coming readings with my daughter. My husband and I were recently talking about "Bible" churches and how our church is so Bible centered. We are not, however, centered on the personality of the preacher and his agenda.
Posted by: Amanda | May 1, 2008 2:32 PM
Barbara - I have been reading for quite a while, but have never commented...do they call that "lurking"? ;-) In any case, I did want to commend you on your difficult (but fulfilling) journey to Catholicism - welcome! As a lifelong Catholic, I just love to hear your perspective on the change - not only of mindset, but of heart. It's been interesting, too, to hear about aspects of my faith that I perhaps did not consider or really ponder (or maybe even took for granted?).
Being married to an evangelical Christian (though one who loves Catholicism even as an "outsider") has opened several windows into inter-Christian understanding; growing up, I always thought that the animosity between the two "faiths" was overexaggerated and hyped-up. After all, they couldn't hate us as much as my prone-to-religious-hysteria mother led me to believe, could they?
Short answer: yes. Unequivocally. Especially the southern Baptists. I will say, though, that there are some (though few and far between) wonderful evangelicals who love me as a fellow Christian, not as a devil-worshipping Papist. So, I guess the only real point in me commenting on here is to corroborate the fact that they do NOT like Catholics.
Sheri - you would not believe some of the stuff that comes out of the mouths of Christians: Catholicism is devil-inspired; indeed, Catholicism is Satan at work. Catholicism replaces Jesus with the Pope. Catholicism replaces grace with self-saving action. Catholicism is the inherent worship of false idols including the Eucharist and the sacrament of confession. Catholicism perpetuates loose morals. Catholicism hates Scripture and changes it to suit their whims (I assume this refers to the extra books of the Bible and whatnot). Catholicism bastardizes the concept of Heaven and Hell with the notion that maybe sinners aren't instantly damned or saved (Purgatory). Catholicism is anti-Semitic. Catholicism loves human tradition more than the Bible. Catholicism is all about bartering with God for salvation. The list goes on and on. It's a bit overwhelming, but I assure you, these are all "legitimate" concerns within a good deal of the evangelical population.
The saddest thing is that I have absolutely NO clue even to begin to fix this.
Posted by: Amanda | May 2, 2008 11:19 AM
Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen once said that people haven't rejected Catholicism, they've rejected their misconceptions of Catholicism.
Perhaps we need another Fulton Sheen to set people straight.
Posted by: Leticia Velasquez | May 6, 2008 3:43 AM
