Getting Rite with God

This is me!
Accept me as I am. Please do not try to fit me into your stereotyped boxes. Do Not label me a phony because I am many people. There are many facets of my personality. I do wear masks: however, they are not all hiding masks. Some are very revealing masks, yet you may never know them all.

If you reject me or a part of me, I am hurt. However, I could change that part of me to suit you. But then that is not me, but you! Not everybody is going to like me and that is a fact hard to accept.

But if I change my life for everyone I am no one. And if you can be happy with this new me, this plastic doll that you created, who thinks your thoughts, voices your opinions and feels your feelings, then you are in love with you, not me. I cannot be happy with me: therefore I cannot be happy with you.

Anonymous - As received from Deacon Bob, Christ the Redeemer Church, 3/8/9

One of my favorite scriptures is Mark 14:48-52. It is the scene as Jesus is being arrested: “Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest me as though I were a guerrilla? Day after day I was with you in the Temple teaching, and you did not arrest me. But let the scriptures be fulfilled.” All of them deserted him and fled. A young man was following him, wearing nothing but a linen [cloth]. They caught hold of him, but he left the linen [cloth] and ran off naked."

I suppose the naked guy appeals to my sense of humor, irony and mystery. Today I feel like the naked guy, stripped of my masks, pretense and fancy logic. The Rites of the church serve as stepping stones and periods of self examination. Why does the Catholic church enforce a process of acceptance on converts and baptized new members?

Joining a Protestant church is a relatively simple process for the previously baptized. In my experience, one must profess a desire to join and, unsually in front of the congregation, pledge to be loyal to the demonination and support the church with prayers, presence, gifts and service. Education in the faith and further involvement in the church are encouraged and supported but left up to the individual. In general, the unbaptized meet with the pastor to discuss their desire and the meaning of baptism and then in front of witnesses is baptized.

To become Catholic one must participate in the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults. The process is marked by Rites following periods of inquiry, education, purification and enlightenment ending with confirmation and Eucharist, the sacrament of Holy Communion. http://www.olmc.org/RCIA/What%20is%20RCIA.htm It is a lifelong commitment that affirms not only spiritual and moral afilliation but also a cultural one. Much like being part of a family.

I wish I had taken the opportunity for such serious consideration and expert guidance when deciding to marry each time. I'm certain I would have made very different decisions. For this decision, I am taking the time to prayerfully consider what is right for me and what God calls me to do. The process is a gift from the church of knowledge and understanding. As with my biological family, I may not agree with everything, but I feel comfortable lovingly disagreeing and working for the good of us all.