ONE

Over the weekend we were blessed to attend the celebrations of Rite of Sending and Rite of Election, which are big steps in the RCIA process. At the Rite of Sending we were "sent" from our parish to the Bishop as a public sign that we are ready to enter a covenant relationship through the Sacraments. Later that day, we were "received" downtown at the Cathedral for the Rite of Election. During the Rite of Election, all of the catechumens (over 200) in the diocese came together, and the Bishop received us as Elect. Some of the prayers dated back to 500 AD, which is amazing to consider. The events were special in and of themselves, but one thing really stood out to me, and while I had appreciated it for several months, the gravity of it became heavier.

This Church is global, yet it is one. The Rite of Election was celebrated in English and Spanish. It was absolutely beautiful to be sitting around a packed cathedral with several ethnicities and age groups, all making our way into Christ's Church together. I have always known the Church is worldwide. Many times, I have imagined others around the world participating in Mass in their respective countries just as I am in that moment. This celebration brought that idea to life in a tangible way.

When we relocated to an urban area from our small, rural town, we began attending a large, Protestant church. It was easy to get lost in the crowd- especially because everyone was so similar. This church was full of young, suburban families, with large SVUs, dressed in matching outfits. There is nothing wrong with those things, but that wasn't the "oneness" we had in mind when searching for a place of worship. We longed for a group of individuals who came together to worship and serve as a community, instead of a community that just looked like they matched together, but went on their individual ways. Regardless, we stayed at that church for two and a half years.

Fast forward to our entrance to Mass attendance, and there it was. We walked in to a collective group of diverse individuals. There was no feeling of competition or comparison with others. All ages and all walks of life were there. We knew it was out there, and we found it, or rather we allowed God to lead us to it. We found a place where everyone, in their differences, came together for the One. The word Catholic means, "all-embracing," after all. Collectiveness isn't being the same as the people you are surrounded by, it is being different, and still coming together for one reason- our Savior. It's not about us, it's about Him.

One thing I've always known, but haven't understood deeply until this year is, that church is not about me. It is not about my preferences, what I get out of it, whether the music touches me, or whether I like the Homily (or message, or sermon, etc.). It is all about thanking, worshipping, and offering myself to the One who loves me personally and unconditionally despite my shortcomings. That focus on God, and devotion to preserving His original words and lessons makes the Catholic Church one, and for my family, the one.

The fact that the Church Jesus started has continued through thousands of years, across the globe, is mind boggling if you think about it. Through the Holy Spirit and tradition, the original way Jesus taught and desired us to worship has been preserved and kept alive across boarders, oceans, cultures, and languages, even despite many types of persecution. No one but God could achieve that type of consistency and longevity.

The same just can't be said for the nearly 35,500 branches of Protestantism you see today, each of which saying they have the truth, but delivering a different message. I grew up surrounded by churches in Appalachia. Throughout my youth I attended many with friends, and with my own family as they regularly, "church shopped" trying to find a place that suited them. In the broad scheme, each church taught similarly- they believed in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Yet, by the end of the service, each branch of the Protestant tree would undoubtedly stake their claim on having the most truth, or the real truth regarding the faith. That was confusing to my young mind. If everyone was right, but taught inconsistently - even to the point of calling out other churches for their different, or "wrong" interpretation of scripture...who is right?

Many people simultaneously wonder why more people than ever are walking away from Christianity, and mocking Catholics for listening to the direction of the Magisterium (the Church's authority to give authentic interpretation of the word of God). Some of those same people are out there branching off and bashing other groups for which songs they want to sing, or how they want to interpret God's word. According to a study I read from the American Psychological Association, 51.8% of people have left Christianity because of "intellectual reasons," and 21.9% have left due to "hypocrisy". I don't know all of the questions that went into this study, but inconsistencies across sects could easily play a role in these reasons for departure. I have great comfort in the Catholic Church's consistent and unwavering direction, which can't be swayed by a random disgruntled person and transformed into something else.

The Catholic Church hasn't lost Her purpose or direction. There is One to worship. There is one reason people are there. There is one way we all believe, collectively. There is one Church, although there are many parishes. You just can't get this anywhere else!