After reading chapter one of the Long Loneliness by Dorothy Day, I felt like her personal story was addressed just for me! Her story of growing up in a home where religion was absent and finding it one her own was amazing! Unlike Day, I was introduced to religion in my home. I knew what it was and had no reason to steer away from it! However, I did! I had to find my way alone! My parents never pushed me to be fully involved with Christianity. I could choose my own path. Day is on that chose her own path without that extra push. I admire and aspire to be that way. I am stong in my faith by myself, without the push. Day is an example that being grounded in faith is possible! This beginning was something that truly hit home for me!!! I get over joyed when I read stories about ones struggles and growing closer to God! It gives me a sense of hope and pride!
On a side not something that was interesting to me was the confessions. I am not Catholic so learning how that works was intriguing. Personally, I would not feel comfortable with sharing my sins with others because I would feel as if I am being judged. But reading how Catholics handled that was eye opening.
Friday, February 6, 2009
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The idea of confession is an interesting one--it is very different from the culture we're in today. Even few Catholics do confession anymore. This is an interesting topic of conversation.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad that Dorothy Day serves as an inspiration for you, as she does for many other people. Because I am a Catholic, she is even more of a prophetic figure in my eyes. As far as confession goes, I personally find it strange that there are few people who do this anymore. Back where I am from, EVERYONE does this, even at my school they would have confessionals. I can see how it would be strange for someone not having heard or known about confession, but it definitely is not what it seems. Going to confession is not about letting a priest judge your actions, in fact, priests are so understanding and they are listening with arms wide open. Catholics do this in order to wash away their sins and start over. It's almost as if we are looking back into our lives and finding the areas where we have messed up, we are repenting for our sins and then asking God for forgiveness. It's really just a time of repentance.
ReplyDeleteI am starting to think that you and I were raised practically the same way through christianity. The way you talked about it in our group and in this blog, its nice to know I'm not alone. I completely understand what you mean by being strong in faith on your own, I'm stronger by myself than I have been with my family or anybody for that matter.. All in all I completely understand what you're saying and I agree with your opinion on Dorothy Day.. :) Peace!
ReplyDeleteI'm really enjoying Dorothy Day, too. There is something about her that I feel I can really relate to, and I think that you summed it up really well in your blog. She is searching for her faith and developing it on her own. This is really inspirational to me. I grew up in a very Christian centered family, and I had a lot of help finding my faith which is unlike Dorothy Day. But through all of the help I've received, I have been able to find my won faith and now I think I can stand on my own. Its a little different, but kind of the same (if that makes sense).
ReplyDeleteI really liked the point you brought up about choosing your own path and being strong in faith on your own. Often times I find that kids (due to the natural naivety from being so young) carbon copy/parrot the influence of their parents whether it be about issues of faith, politics, or other social issues. It's ok to be influenced by some outside force such as your parents, but when that influence oversteps its bounds and becomes the complete/only driving force, the faith loses a level of personal influence and I've always felt that faith should always have at lest some level of personal conviction. I really admire you for the path you've chosen.
ReplyDelete*on a personal note* I grew up in a household that was influenced/emphasized by no religious faith what so ever. It just was not a factor in my upbringing. While I won't deny that this environment did influence my current worldview/personal philosophies to some degree, the decision to not subscribe to any particular religious sect or organized faith was always my informed decision. I explored the issue, attended service, and read various texts from friends but to this day I still believe that my decision to be non-religious was still the right decision to me personally, much like it is for you and your faith in Christ.
As far as Catholicism and the idea of confession, my two grandmothers are both very Catholic and attend mass and confession regularly. Ironically I have asked them about this idea and had the same concern and uncomfortableness about being judged by people but to them that is of little concern. Catholics confess in order to wash them of their sins and maintain a state of grace and as long as they find a priest who they are very comfortable with on a personal level, he to them merely serves as a well/receptive ear for them to fill with their sins, a somewhat representitive of the God they all worship, and to them, no matter what man sits behind the curtain, God is the ultimate judge. and He is always listening.