Why Traveller? Pilgrim was taken.
I am on a journey through Christendom, a journey that started shortly after graduating from high school. I became discouraged then with what was going on in the RC church (discouraged, not antagonistic), this was the time when VCII was being put into action, and everything I had learnt as dogma was being turned upside-down without commentary. It was not that I disagreed with everything that was happening; just that it was being done without teaching to back it up. I spent the better part of my college years learning the reasoning behind the changes. I am grateful for what was happening as it started me on my journey, rather than being one of those who blankly accepted what they were being told.
I had a unique upbringing, my father's parents were RC, my mother's were Byzantine Catholic and Russian Orthodox (before ROCA). I was brought up attending Divine Liturgy in all three churches, and received education in all three as well.
During this first period of my journey (some 8 years) I concentrated on the RC church, what was going on, and what the meaning was behind the changes. Some I discovered were doctrinal; others were to placate the masses (which never works out). During the later part of this journey I married into an Irish Catholic family, and joined my wife at her church.
The Spirit wasn't done with me, and I found myself "unfulfilled" with simply attending services, partly because I found/find the new RC services too "Protestant" for my soul - the grandeur of the Latin mass was thrown away along with the language. Now, to clarify, I have no problem with the mass in English, as in Eastern churches this is the way it should be, people shouldn't have to wonder what was being said, it is the lost rubrics that I speak of with longing. This, along with disagreements with the pastor, started me off on the second part of my journey.
During this second journey I found myself going back to the churches of my mother's side of the family, and this is where I find myself now. I spend time in both Byzantine Catholic and various Orthodox churches in the area (we have ROCA, Greek, Ukrainian, and Serbian), with my soul now feeling "at home" again. Over the last seven years I have been studying eastern theology, both formally and informally (though the former has since concluded). Even so, I still attend services at the RC church with my family when the Spirit moves me in that direction (her pastor has since been replaced several times), and I continue to study the RC church's teachings.
I have come to the determination that no church (denomination) has the message of Christ 100% right, and few get it 100% wrong (I will not comment on the latter). I feel that the Eastern churches come closest to getting his teachings translated into thought the best. I find the RC church, especially during the JP-II years, comes closest to his message of accepting others. And, of all the denominations, I believe that the Salvation Army best personifies caring for others. I once looked upon these divisions as wrong, some evil draw-and-quartering of Christ's body in an effort to weaken it; I realize now that this view is wrong, and that the divisions actually makes sense in light of Rom. 12:4-6a. This is the best way to accomplish the most good, as one giant entity moves too slowly to combat the evil in this world, and to do all of the good work Christ meant. The problem is that many of the churches are combative between each other rather than being supportive.
This brings me to the present, and the third part of my journey. As Christianity is a Trinitarian-based system, I think this will be the last of my journeys...and I know not where it will take me, nor what I will learn on the journey. I find myself here, and perhaps this is where it starts and some/all of you are part of that journey. With my formal training behind me I now start off down the path of discovery, armed with the tools and knowledge provided by others. I invite you along with me on this path, and I look forward to your comments.
As I study the Bible, and other assorted works, I will post my thoughts here, along with the ruminations that brought me to my conclusions. I look at this as the breadcrumbs left by Hanzel and Gretel as they wandered far from home, something to look back upon as I grow during my wanderings, hopefully not to be taken away by the birds of the ethereal-net.
I started this off this post saying: "Why Traveller? Because Pilgrim was taken." Years ago, my journey started with the reading of "The Way of A Pilgrim" (read it if you haven't already), now I start off on my on Way - The Way of A Traveller. I ask you to walk along with me, as a fellow traveller, as a wise staretz, or as a curious peasant looking upon a strange site. If you have noticed my postings in the past, you may have noticed the change in my avatar; this is to reflect my new condition as a traveller on a journey.
Glory to Jesus Christ!
Mike
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October 29th 2009 01:19 PM