The Tiber is crossed

 
On the banks of the Tiber river lies the city of Rome, home and center of Catholicism.

For me, the title of this post refers to my crossing back to the faith of my childhood.  For my wife, her first crossing. 

Last  night, she took on the confirmation name of Martha and received her first Holy Communion.  My confirmation name is Justin, named after he who sought the truth desperately and found what he was looking for in Jesus and His teachings.

It's been quite the trip, one begun most hesitantly at first yet one that is ending (but really, beginning anew) with eagerness and trust. 

We've come to learn things we did not know, we've come to see things we had not seen before, we've come to embrace things that we held at arm's length for a very long time.  And honestly, there's more to embrace, more to see, much more to learn.  This faith is rich and deep and is a faith I think even her long time adherents have not fully come to appreciate. 

Yes her history has its darker moments and yes, this faith is much maligned, some of it perhaps with good reason.  Yet there is a history of good and decency that is far too often overlooked, and much of that which passes as criticism is based in ignorance and folly, even duplicity. 

What I know now and believe with fear and trembling is that I've returned to that which Jesus Christ and his apostles birthed, that which contains and represents the Truth, that which is the broken body of our Lord with its wounds and scars but also with its redemptive and forgiving powers, that which will withstand the gates of Hell.

The bottom line, in all its apparent simplicity, is that we're home.  And it's very good to be home.

Very, very good.

Comments

[BroKen]

C. S. Lewis describes Mere Christianity as a great hall with rooms all around. He says that while the hall is vast and beautiful, you can't live there. You have to find a room where the tables are set and the fires are burning and friends welcome you and support you and love you.

I am so pleased that you have found such a room. And I'm also glad that we can keep meeting out in the hall. After all, I'm just a couple of doors down!

[Kris, in New England]

Came here thru The Anchoress.

My husband and I are in the midst of the RCIA Program; he was born Catholic and hadn't been to the Church in 20+ years. I was born in an evangelical/fundamentalist faith that I left 15 years ago.

He is rediscovering the beauty of the faith of his birth; I am discovering the beauty of that same faith.

I have already connected with my Patron Saint and will take Joan as my confirmation name. St. Joan of Arc - a woman of unique strength and passion who had such strong faith in herself that she was willing to risk everything for her God. Her strength has inspired me in countless and unrelatable ways.

Like you and your wife - I am ... home. I will be baptized, confirmed and receive my First Communion on the Night of the Easter Vigil. This has been a unique and absolutely spectacular time our lives.

Welcome home indeed.

[Rick]

Kris... St. Joan of Arc is the name of our parish...

Small world...

[Withouthavingseen]

Rick, brother, welcome home! And your bride as well! We have been praying and hoping for you and your family to join us for a very long time. We are very glad you have joined us. Very, very glad.

Now let's go get your brothers.

[Emkay]

Welcome, my brother. Welcome, my sister.

[Gretchen]

Welcome! I've been following your story for awhile. God is good.

[Mary]

God bless you!

[Kensington]

Hi! Glad you've joined us! God bless you!

[Peony Moss]

Welcome!

[Matt@ StBlogustine]

A belated welcome home! I thought this wasn't going to happen until Easter Vigil, but hey, the sooner the better!