Yesterday, as I was getting ready to go to my very first RCIA class, I was nervous as all get-out. Not so much in what I was doing, but in the fact that it’s a new place, with people I’ve never met before, etc etc. The fact that I couldn’t get the church’s webpage to load filled me with a kind of superstitious dread - “maybe it’s a BAD OMEN that I’m not supposed to go.”
So I said a quick prayer. Not so much demanding that I BE GIVEN A SIGN, as much as a “Hey God, can you kinda let me know that I’m doing the right thing??” - kinda thing.
None was forthcoming. But I got in the car to go, anyway.
Guess what was on the car radio. Go on, guess!
…I got a friend in Jesus
So I know that when I die
He’s gonna recommend me
to the Spirit in the sky.
I shit you not.
oh, boy, did I burst out laughing. Not only because I got my “nudge” - but it definately proved that God has a sense of humor.
Several months ago, as I was turning away from paganism towards Christianity, I couldn’t bring myself to say “God.” I would say “Spirit” instead. That is, until one day it finally aggrevated Larry enough to say “When you say ‘Spirit’ it reminds me of that song. You know. Gonna recommend me to the Spirit in the sky.‘”
I got the point. If I was to become a Christian again, I was going to have to start looking at the “Divine” as “God” again - as in “God the Father,” not “Spirit” or the “Divine” or “the gods” or “goddess” or even “The Great Cosmic Dustbunny in the Sky” - but GOD.
I don’t think it was any coincidence that song was on, either. I normally don’t listen to oldies radio, but my regular radio station got knocked off the air when Fay came through.
RCIA class was wonderful. From the very moment I pulled up into the parking lot, I was met by smiling happy people, very glad to have me there. Everyone was very welcoming, and didn’t blink an eye when they found out I had been pagan. Of course, I’m sure St. Augustine might have had something to do with it, as it was his feast day yesterday, and the deacon made it a point that he was once a “party animal.” I’ve read a bit about Augustine’s background - “party animal” is putting it lightly!
So I’m very excited, and so looking forward to the next class. The church really seems to have their act together, they have many ministries they do - including things like, taking over delivering Meals on Wheels on Thanksgiving so the regular drivers can have the day off. That kind of thing, I just love.
Strangely enough, however, I’m not that interested in attending mass, yet. Being able to go to mass, but not be able to receive the eucharist, kinda seems like going over to someone’s house for Christmas and watching everyone else open their presents - but not being able to open yours, yet. Wah!
I’m sure I’ll get over it. Besides, Easter isn’t that far away. Close to nine months - almost like birthing a whole new baby ME.
i love that song!
ya got to go to mass and not take communion. that’s a fine old catholic tradition.
and augustine rocked the house. i don’t think i could be eastern orthodox, because i think he deserves to be a doctor of the church. he was righteous in all the ways that can be said. oh yes
(sheesh! I thought I responded to you already. I’m sorry!)
see, I have some issues with St. Augustine, because he obviously went from one swing of the pendulum to the other. I think part of the reasoning why so many Catholics have sexual issues, is because of Augustine’s teachings.
(i love your blog. you’re gonna get sick of me posting randomly to it and be unable to respond one day, hehe)
i’d say you’re quite right about augustine. the eastern orthodox (EO) church, which the RCC recognises as having fully valid sacraments, is total evidence of that. the RCC itself has a way of downplaying him in the daily course of business. it easier to make the point by talking about others.
i’d say i know it first hand too. gotten into it with people.
augustine was an awfully flawed person. an extremist in temperament, no matter how it was directed. also, he was almost *sinfully* greek in his analyst personality type. he put things terribly, like saying ‘the first sin caused original sin.’ there isn’t a sensing personality type on this planet who can parse a statement like that accurately. it takes a jesuitical command of reason to see that ‘first sin’ is not equated to ‘original sin’ here. and honestly, that sort of command can only be done in short bursts.
far more dire, this way - his way - of being is not the catholic ideal. even at the best of times, well-formed sentiment trumps well-formed thought. there’s no ‘do as i say, not as i do.’
oh but i’ll say why i love augustine - his extremity can make certain problems easier to see, whereas in lesser degrees you might miss them. reading about his love of the theatre showed me something about my passion for moody movies. your life is what you fill it with. you can think about bad things all the time, identifying them as bad - but bottom line, what you’re about is the bad one way or the other.
mother theresa probably got it across better than him when she’d say things like don’t invite her to anti-war rallies, invite her to peace rallies.
I consider myself a Christian. In fact, I am going to be a pastor; and I use Divine, The Spirit, The Ultimate Energy before I use God. God-the word God- has to much Constantinian (spelling? Word use?) implications.
Just wanted to give you some support.