why did i join the Catholic Church?

Jan Davidsz. de Heem
Eucharist in Fruit Wreath - 1648 - Oil on canvas, 138 x 125,5 cm
Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna

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i have never visited this gentleman's blog but followed him from a link via my good friend antony. he pretty much summed up a few of my thoughts in a couple of neat paragraphs:

Why did I join the Catholic Church?

What did it offer me I wasn't finding elsewhere?

I am fond of saying that I really converted to monasticism, and not the church as a whole – and I still have a lot of trouble with some major Catholic doctrines.

But I know, deeply, that this is the place I can be best feed, best grow, and best experience the love of God.

And so, like with any family, I am happy to be in congenial disagreement with other family members, but still share the table (in both the metaphorical and literal sense!)

perfect. then he went on to speak about *earthly* things...

The ash cross on our forehead on Ash Wednesday
The bread, wine and water of the Eucharist
The washing of Feet on Maundy Thursday
The wood of the Cross on Good Friday
Candles, large and small, throughout the season,
especially the Paschal Candle of Easter Day
The waters of Baptism at the Vigil
The Oil of confirmation
The smell of incense hallowing our worship spaces and our selves

perfect, again. he explained further in a follow-up post...

I also talked about liturgy, and "things of the earth" being a vital element in my conversion process. This is true, but incomplete. As I study the scriptures, read the church’s teachings, slowly (very slowly!) read catholic theologians, I come to more clearly appreciate how (if that is possible) the mystery of God is made tactile through liturgy and sacrament – that they lead me to experience the ultimate sacrament – Jesus Christ. This is of course, a very great mystery, and which I will spend the rest of my earth bound years exploring, and never fully knowing.

as will i.

thank God.