Summary: On this episode we're chatting to anyone who has ever felt like the Catholic Church is just REALLY missing out on something because it might not give you that *feeling* that a praise band, exciting pastor, and flourishing ministry filled church might. This took me a LONG while to come to realize about the Church and why she is so set in her ways. I mean, come on - times change... right?? I talk a bit about my faith background and journey and I hope it touches someones heart in the right spot. I can't tell you how many people I know have left the Church for another denomination or community. I get it. The Church and some parishes can *seem* (I'm using jazz hands) like this unwelcoming, judgmental, rigid, controversy ridden, non frilly place. I get why people would want to encounter Jesus in a music filled, arms raised, vibrant pastor giving these amazingly touching and encouraging preaching. You *feel* something when you go to these services that you didn't think you felt when you went to mass. So, I'm going to give you a run down on WHY you should be coming back into God's church. Basically Catholic 101. Here we go: #1: The whole purpose of salvation is for God to make us his family. #2: In order to enter into a covenant bond there has to be an agreement. #3: Jesus becomes that ultimate sacrifice to God, from God, for us, back to him to create that bridge between us and God and to eternally make us family. #4: We screw up this bond, still, constantly. #5 You've got to understand what Catholics believe about communion. 2 Things - 1 that it ACTUALLY is the body and blood of Jesus and 2 to take communion in the Catholic Church means that you are IN communion - in agreement with everything the church teaches. This is a hard one for most people (me included!). #6 Because of what we believe about the Eucharist and communion - your sins need to be forgiven before you partake. #7 Jesus himself created the church. #8 Jesus himself gave power to someone to act in his person until he returns. #9 That power he gave Peter and the disciples to shepherd and forgive sin was real. #10 The reason why you belong to the Catholic (by the way, catholic means "universal" in Greek) church is because God wants you to be in his heavenly family for EVER. So, I've got some great books for you to read if you're interested in learning more about why you've gotta get your booty to mass. I'm a firm believer that we've got to re-catechize ourselves. Learn more about our faith because that makes it real, tangible, and that makes us want to go running towards the church instead of from it. My first recommendation is "A Biblical Walk Through the Mass" by Dr. Edward Sri "Reasons to Believe" by Dr Scott Hahn "A Father who keeps his promises" by Dr Scott Hahn and "The Lambs Supper: The Mass as Heaven on Earth" Honestly, this video (below) popped up in my Facebook feed a couple of years ago and this is what turned me on to Dr Hahn's writing and speeches. He's an amazing speaker, a former protestant minister and now Catholic theology professor and author. He's got some good, easy reading but great factual theology for anyone wanting to understand the Church, Jesus, and their teachings. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67WmIGLPvEM&t=3914s Check out my other episodes here! If you liked this episode please give us a review so other mama's can find our content! Don't forget to hook up with me and some other mamas! My Instagram and Facebook pages @HolyHotMessMom our exclusive mama Facebook group - HolyHotMessMamas If you're looking forward to more episodes then hit that subscribe button so you get notified every time we release a new episode! As always, if you've got ideas of topics you'd like to hear on the podcast please send an email to podcast@holyhotmessmom.com
