Christine Smith's Blog

Coming Home & The Catechism

There is a Morning Offering prayer which is special to me which I pray with other prayers each day. From it are these two lines I share with you, “…Your goodness has preserved me until now. I offer you my whole being and in particular all my thoughts, words, and deeds, together with all the trials I may undergo this day…”

The entire prayer is one of giving oneself to the work of God; affirming one’s deepest desire and conviction to live each moment of this day in service to God’s love. I love the wording of this prayer, for it expresses the gratitude, praise, and devotion I feel. The line “Your goodness has preserved me until now,” is very significant to me as it expresses the thankfulness I feel for the provision I am now aware of and have been given my entire life (not just today) even during my years away from the Church.

A couple days ago, I met with my parish priest for over an hour, and I am glad I did. This is the first time in my life I have ever joined a church, and I am experiencing such joy and fulfillment in getting involved in ministries of my parish. As I learn and grow, I am sharing the revelation I have received with others (and already helping other Catholics in their lives, just as knowing them is helping me). My priest has invited me to share my path home to Catholicism with the parish, which I am overjoyed to do. I am so grateful for the love and grace which has been here all along for me – it just took the willingness on my part. (I have also shared with him exactly how I came back, reaching out in prayer to our Holy Mary during a time of discouragement and sadness, and finding immediate comfort, help, and guidance which led me to God’s grace, to Jesus, and to the Church.)

My priest again emphasized to me that all things to now led me to this point; it is happening at the right time – now – because I am ready. All I know is I feel blessed, joyous, and am happy to have a community of believers to share with. As I told him, I am one who loves being involved in using the abilities I’ve been given in service to humanity. I’ve always appreciated Catholic emphasis on service…loving our brothers and sisters, bringing compassion, and help to those suffering. It is the way I live, only now, I am joyful that I do this with full understanding and through my Church’s ministries. This is a most happy enlightening time for me. The word “community” now, in this spiritual sense through the Church, now has the most beautiful meaning to me. (I have also been blessed to hear from several Catholic ladies across the country who shared of the inspiration they found in my recent writings of my coming home to the Catholic Church, and who likewise thereby have encouraged and inspired me.)

I would like to share with my blog readers the beauty and enlightenment I have found in the Catechism of the Catholic Church. I am reading other books which are proving wonderful for me, but emphasize that the Catechism itself has opened my understanding in ways that amaze me. For the first time I “see,” and the Catechism is proving invaluable to me as I seek understanding (which miraculously is present, when before I was so confused and did not know).

It is (for me) always best to have a hardcover print book of any text which is meaningful to me, and I do recommend you also obtain a book copy of the Catechism, if you haven’t one. Meanwhile, however, for those who may read this who are curious and receptive to reading of the faith, as well as for fellow Catholics who may have lessened their reading over time, I wish to recommend that you visit the online version of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Even if you are not Catholic, or haven’t been a devout in your practice of your faith, or if you are a Protestant (or an unbeliever in any religious faith), or someone seeking to grow spiritully, someone willing to know the truth of what we, as Catholics, believe, I encourage you to visit the Catechism. There you will find an index, click the topics which appeal to you, and simply read with an open heart and mind.

As for me, I’m studying, discussing, and sharing…praying…and doing what I can do in my own parish. I am experiencing an aspect of joy I’ve never felt until now. The phrase “coming home” describes how I feel precisely.