Help for Catechists December 2007

A Prayer for Truth

By Mary Lou Rosien

As Christmas and New Year approach, I can’t help but think back on where I have been and where I am going. I would like to share with you, dear reader, a different type of column. I would like to tell you my reversion story.

A short time after my husband and I married, we became pregnant with our daughter, Katya. We were going to daily Mass when possible and praying our Rosary every night and yet, something was still missing. We wanted a closer relationship with God and we were definitely going through the motions; Why then did we feel disconnected? While we were searching for answers some close friends of ours shared with us their relationship with Jesus. They were attending a Calvary Assembly Church and invited us to their Bible study. We went with them several times and began to listen to the Calvary Radio station on a regular basis. I enjoyed listening to the different pastors and their perspectives on Bible stories that I have heard since I was a child.

Then, something strange happened. I started hearing little interpretations of Scripture and even references to what they thought Catholics believe that didn’t sound right to me. I couldn’t explain my feelings, just that these comments wouldn’t stop rankling around in my little brain.

I didn’t know how to reconcile these ideas, so I asked God to show me what was true. That’s how it started, with a simple little prayer asking God for truth. I began to see that in the Catholic Church the Bible readings were connected. They were interpreted by the Church. The Old Testament readings spelled out the prophecies that would be fulfilled in the New Testament. Nothing was random, it was all part of a bigger picture.

Continuity was lacking in the other church’s Bible study . Things were often taken out of context. Several different pastors could interpret the same Scripture in several different ways, reaching completely different conclusions! Who was the authority? I began to question. Who’s interpretation was correct? In Scripture I found an answer that led me straight back to where I started. Jesus, Himself, gave Peter the authority when He said, “You are Peter, and upon this rock, I shall build my church.”(Matt. 16:18) The Catholic Church still has a seat of Peter: the Papacy, The Pope, the Magisterium. I felt my heart returning home. Home to truth, home to the Catholic Church.

Mary Lou Rosien writes from North Chili, NY.  She is the author of Managing Stress with the Help of Your Catholic Faith (OSV Publishing).  Email her at mrosien@rochester.rr.com.