Where Else Would I Go?

My first real exposure to Roman Catholicism came through my college friend Sarah, who as I mentioned in my previous post was happy (and mature enough) to recognize that our beliefs were much the same.  I wasn’t easily persuaded, however.  I actually didn’t know much about Roman Catholicism, but I knew what I had been taught, or what I thought I’d been taught.  Whether or not these things were explicitly preached what I understood from my Evangelical upbringing was that Rome was the Whore of Babylon, the Pope was probably the antichrist, Catholics maintained an unhealthy devotion to Mary, worshipped the saints, and ignored the Bible.  That sounded to me like a totally different religion.  And indeed, the Catholicism in my head was.  My friendship with Sarah, however, helped me grow in willingness to exploring what Roman Catholicism was really all about, because, in case it needs to be said here, the vast majority of what I thought just wasn’t true.

Also during college I spent a quarter studying in Italy.  While there I grew an appreciation for the Roman church.  St. Peter’s Basilica, the Sistine Chapel, and even the more intimate San Michele’s in Lucca where I lived seemed to me monuments to the grandeur of God. 

When I returned home from Italy I felt comfortable occasionally attending mass at the local Roman Catholic parish.  During this time I learned a great truth about the Roman church: it has official teaching.  Some Roman Catholics may believe and communicate certain misunderstandings, but one can always go back to the official teaching of the church to see what it really believes and teaches.  I began acquainting myself with the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and other writings explaining official teaching and I discovered Sarah was right.  Much of what she and I believed was the same. 

Now, I was not ready to become a Roman Catholic by any stretch of the imagination, but I definitely softened to the idea that I could learn some things from the Roman Church.  It was at this time I met Fr. Dimitri Sala.  Fr. Dimitri is a Franciscan friar absolutely committed to church unity.  He and I had several long conversations over the phone about the similarities and the differences between Roman Catholicism and Evangelicalism.  Some of our common ground is that we are both deeply committed to working toward the fulfillment of Jesus’ prayer for church unity in John 17:20-23. 

During one conversation Fr. Dimiti said something that struck me.  Years earlier, while praying for church unity he felt he needed to answer the question “If God asked me to, would I be willing to leave the Roman church in order to work for unity among the separated brethren?”  Now, Fr. Dimitri loves the Roman Catholic church and doesn’t want to leave it.  But he felt God wanted to ask him if he’d be willing to give it up if that’s what following Jesus meant.  He said yes. 

After that conversation I asked myself, would I be willing to leave my tradition and become Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican or something else if God asked me to?  This was a big deal to me because if I answered yes I had to admit God was actually present in these other Christian traditions.  It was also big because it made me realize God may one day ask me to do something really uncomfortable for his glory.  If and when that time came what would I do?  Would I be willing to step into the uncomfortable unknown in order to follow after my Lord and his purposes?  My answer was and is, yes, of course I would.  How could I even dream of not being where God would send me.  I resonate with St. Peter’s words, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life” (John 6:68).

At this point in my journey the Lord is leading me into unfamiliar territory.  I’m actually excited about this.  And even though I don’t know the final destination, how exactly God wants to use me, or what all the implications of journeying on will be, I know I am willing to do anything and go anywhere to follow after the leading of my Lord.

Comments

[Rob]

Jesus is sufficient for us and with us where we go. Stay with it brother. I'm right with you.

[Rob Patterson]

I will, Rob. Thanks for your encouragement and for being a fellow traveler.

[Rodney Franzoi]

I am discovering so many of the same things you have been writing about in your blog. Thanks! Its inspirational - and so is listening to your album!
Keep up the great writing and may your journey continue in leaps and bounds!

[Rob Patterson]

Thanks for the encouragement, Rodney! I'm glad the blog is helpful. Blessings on you as you continue on the path of discovery.

[muska supra shoes]

He is a good friend that speaks well of us behind our backs.

[Rob Patterson]

Indeed, Muska!