Reflection on Faith

A while back I asked for future blog post ideas, and got the wonderful suggestion to expound on how my life and faith has changed since completing RCIA last Easter and becomming a member of the Catholic Church.  If you'll remember, I wrote a post detailing my journey of coming home to the Catholic church here, but haven't talked much about my life since then. 

The long and short of it is, that I have begun to keep up more on the happenings of the world and how everything affects me and my freedom of religion, i.e. the mandate wanting to require ALL institutions to provide birth control, even if it goes against a core belief of your organization/religion.  It is really troublesome to me how the government is trying to force it's way into my religious life and beliefs, especially now, knowing how birth control actually functions to prevent pregnancy.  I have also stopped listening to popular radio and now listen to KLove or Sprit Catholic Radio.  The messages on those two stations are much better and profound, rather than the garbage that passes on the other stations.

When attending Mass, I find myself becoming more and more involved in it, and taking away more than ever from church.  Yes, it is hard to fully focus some days, especially with a 2 1/2 year old, but on those days I have to remind myself that I'm still taking more away with only 30% of my attention focused what's being said, than I would be if I weren't there at all.  We have begun to teach Emma her prayers, which she really likes, and at church when they get to a point where we say "Amen", Emma will usually shout it!  I haven't become as active in the church as I know I should be, and there is no good reason for it, no matter the excuses I make to myself, but I do feel like I am growing in other areas, and so God will let me know when it's time to plunge into new waters. 

Finally, I believe that having gone through the RCIA process at the same time as my brother, that we have grown closer than ever.  When we go somewhere together it's not uncommon for us to pray a rosary and just have a theological conversation, which is wonderful because he's the only other Catholic in my family, besides Nick.  Let me tell you, he is one of the most ambitious go-getters I know!  Along with being in Pharmacy School, working, studying, and spending time with family, he's also a very active member in church and with his campus Focus group, and even leads a Catholic bible study class with non-Catholics making up the majority of the group!  The Lord is working strong through him, and I can not be more proud to call him my brother! 

When I sat down to write this tonight, I thought "This will be a short post", just because I wasn't conscious of how things have changed in so many different areas in the past year.  However, reflecting on it really helped me to realize that I have made strides in the right direction, and am going to really try with all my might to keep doing the same, for my sake and for the sake of my family.