Simply Catholic

What a difference a day makes! The seed that was planted last evening during the Eucharist has begun to sprout. So much so, that I spent most of today at the Chapter of the Franciscans of Reconciliation! The Holy Spirit's moving here. What a fantastic group of men and women living out Francis' vision walking with the Lord.

One thing's for sure: I'm a Catholic. Oh, not Roman Catholic, just simply Catholic, holding the faith once delivered to the saints. It's who God made me to be and the context from which I function. My roots run deep in this rich incarnational and sacramental reality.

With Saints Francis and Clare, I share the joy of seeing God's handiwork in all Creation. To surrender all to the Beloved gives such freedom. Quite simply: I am not in control, though often in my hubris, I'd like to think that I am.

While I dearly love the Episcopal Church, and the Church of St Paul and the Redeemer, it's not where my heart is. But neither can I in good conscience return to the Roman Catholic Church. My resonance lies with the Ecumenical Catholic Communion. I have watched it grow and mature over the years, and now need to see how I become a member.

Now, does this change my call to interspiritual witness? Absolutely not. With the late Karl Rahner, sj, among others, I agree that's God's grace flows wherever God chooses to direct it, even beyond the boundaries of the Church, or even Christianity. But that doesn't prevent me from accepting the Creeds, as long as they are not turned into idols, blocking people's real experience of the Triune God, yet also seeing & honoring that of God working in others who don't share my faith.

So this means letting all go to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. I will have to see if my ordination as an interfaith minister works without violating the canons somehow (though it would not be recognized within the ECC, that I know), not to mention my inactive transitional deaconal ordination (no one's sure if that bishop had vaild Succession or not, but I digress) from several years ago. If this is accepted and regularized, can I then be ordained presbyter? Would I even ask that the original ordination be regularized? Would I petition to have my profession of Religious Vows, made over three years ago, received by the Franciscans of Reconciliation? Frankly, I have no idea!

Getting out of God's way and letting be what needs be is the whole point. So, I ask your prayers that my heart remains completely open to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, leading to reconciling and serving the People of God. Many blessings of gratitude.