I go by Climacus94, I was confirmed Catholic in the Western rite a little less than two years ago. And I've been consistently attending the Ruthenian-Byzantine rite for probably over half a year.
What brought me to the Catholic church? I was raised an Evangelical Fundamentalist Baptist (Southern Baptist Convention). At an early age I was taught the stories of Jesus from a small children's Bible, as well as stories from the Old Testament. I grew up loving Jesus, so when I was walked through a conversion experience at the age of 7, at first, I didn't understand why. I had no frame of reference for the nuances between the different theologies of Christianity. (Baptist soteriology is very one-time, decision oriented.) I was baptized shortly after. Then, at the age of 12, I had an emotional experience at Bible camp and thought I was called to Christian ministry. After participating in a pattern of repeated sin in my life for a long time, I began to realize that my Christianity was lacking something, and I couldn't put my finger on what it was. There were also negative experiences I had as a Baptist youth (and adult), but those weren't the primary issue. I knew something inside of me was and is wrong. The decision I made when I was 7 was not helping me be holy. And it became apparent to me that I needed to change, I just didn't know how.
I became aware about 3 to 6 months before I went to OCIA that what was lacking in my life as a Christian was prayer. There were times when I would pray and the sinful tendencies I had wouldn't have their way with me. Other times I would pray, and nothing would change.
When I began OCIA, one of the first things I was taught was the Rosary. Another thing was the practice of Lectio Divina. Then, a priest was kind enough to introduce me to the Liturgy of the Hours. The OCIA teacher also said something to me at one point about praying them.
What prompted the interest in the Eastern Rites?It was mentioned in a session of OCIA that there was more than one kind of Catholic. In my city there are not a lot of Eastern Catholic Churches, I think there may be 2 or 3, each are a different rite. I had also gone to a Greek Orthodox Church in my city at one point and felt sort of at home there. Eastern Christian spirituality started to make sense to me when I began to think about my personality and what I felt like I needed to Trinity to do for me. I needed to serve God, I needed discipline, I needed spiritual practices, and Protestantism was not going to give me those.
What I needed most from Jesus, His Father, and His Holy Spirit... was
healing. Being one who struggles not only with self-abuse, but also internal sickness (primarily mental and emotional) I had felt like I asked for help as a Protestant to so many people and none of them either really could or wanted to. Only God the Trinity can help me.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways
acknowledge him [prayer], and he will make your paths straight." (Proverbs 3:5-6)
"Put not your trust in princes..." (Psalm 146:3)
My healing will never be instant, but my spiritual journey into the presence of the Trinity will never end, He is "far above all rule and authority". (Ephesians 1:21) So, I long to transcend myself day by day, as I struggle for holiness here and now. The objective of theosis (2 Peter 1:4 [?]) is ultimately to love God and others more.
So, I'm happy to be here. Thanks. I look forward to learning with and getting to know you guys.
