Surprised by Truth -- A book worth reading for all Christians and non-Christians

As I renew my faith and devotion to the Catholic Church, I'm trying to immerse myself in its teachings.  One way of doing this is obviously by reading the Bible as much as possible which I believe I've done every day for the last couple of weeks (I started at the New Testament Gospels and have now made it all the way through Matthew and am on Mark).  Another way of enhancing my understanding is by reading other spiritual books/papers.  I just finished a great book titled Surprised by Truth by Patrick Madrid, a renowned Catholic Apologist.

This book was just outstanding.  It contains several stories of  people who either were Protestant and converted to Catholicism, Catholics who left the Church and came back, and even a story of someone practicing Judaism that converted to Catholicism.  In all cases, these people did a tremendous amount of personal research into the Church's teachings and deep discernment to come to the same conclusion -- to experience Catholicism is to experience the fullness of the Church's teachings.  These readings helped me to understand more deeply some of the Catholic Church's teachings including papal infallibility, Communion of Saints, purgatory, the value of Sacred Tradition, and the importance of Mary.  These are often subjects misunderstood by others outside, and even inside, of the Catholic Faith for all of the wrong reasons.  Once understood, it is tough to deny that Catholicism is the truest and fullest form of Christianity.  It's not that other forms of Christianity are bad -- they are just incomplete.

If you are Catholic, I recommend this book to help better understand why we believe what we believe.  If you aren't Catholic, I recommend this book to help you understand what Catholics believe and why we believe, and, just perhaps, you'll start asking yourself some of the same questions that others in this book asked of themselves at one time.

God Bless you all.  

Daily Enjoyment of Mass

I decided to try something new (for me) on Tuesday -- going to morning Mass before work.  St. Elizabeth Ann Seton (where I go to Church) has a morning Mass at 6:30.  This, I thought on Monday night, would work out perfectly as I am usually an early bird at work and get there around 7:30 ish or even earlier (even though I really don't need to).  Guess what?  I was right.  I got there at 6:30 and got recruited into doing the reading and Psalm, and the entire Mass was done in about 35 minutes.  I got in my car, and was still at work before 8 and most other people. 

The best part of this?  I felt spiritually refreshed and ready for the day.  I felt happy, great, and fulfilled before the day started.  It is amazing what an impact celebrating the Eucharist to start the day had on me.  It was so nice that I went back Wednesday morning and Thursday morning as well.  I didn't get to go Friday as I was out of town for work.  I think my general rule is going to be that as long as I don't have anything at work before 9 o'clock, then I'm going to try my best to get up and make Mass whenever possible. 

Mass makes me a better person.  It helps me further my relationship with Jesus Christ through the Eucharist.  It helps me become the best version of myself. 

Where to begin?

I have decided to start a new blog that helps me track my spiritual journey.  This is a journey not just about my relationship with God, but also about my relationship with my family -- as a father and husband.  I just finished a book my Matthew Kelly titled Rediscovering Catholocism, and it has inspired me to find a way to become the "best version of myself."  I encourage anyone who might see this blog, regardless of whether you are Catholic or not, to read this book.  In so doing, it has helped me to reflect on my life and what's most important -- God and family.  I believe that I can only become the best version of myself if I deepen my faith and improve my relationship with the Church and those around me. 

As a first step, I have made a personal commitment to be more engaged with God and at Church.  It all starts with a commitment to prayer daily -- a habit I'm working to make stronger.  I went to confession for the first time in many years a week or so ago.  I can't describe how good it felt to talk openly to a priest and then to God afterwards asking forgiveness for my sins.  I intend to go more often.  Additionally, I have volunteered more at Church.  I just joined the high school youth group core team to hopefully assist our young adults as they explore their own relationship with God.  I have agreed to serve on our Family Room Fund committee to solicit donations for the expansion of our facilities -- leveraging my experience in communication and sales for the good of the Church and our community.  And, finally, I am trying to be as active as possible in supporting my daughter as she goes through preparation for First Reconciliation and First Communion by teaching her about prayer and faith. 

Outside of working to engage more with God and Church, I wish to grow closer with my wife and children.  I want to be the best husband and father possible, and I know I can be better, more patient, and more loving than I am today.  They need me, and I want to be there for all of them.  I am praying more that I may follow the path that God has put in front of me, that I may listen to his wishes, and have the courage to do what is necessary. 

This is not going to be easy.  I am just a regular person trying to live a good, Catholic life and do what is right by God, but I believe that change has to start somewhere.  We can't look around and expect things to change unless we are willing to change ourselves.  As a society and people, many of us have strayed too far from God, and it is time to return "home."  I hope that as I make my personal journey and share my struggles and successes that it will inspire others to do the same.  

God Bless you all.