Walk with me on this journey

This post is a departure from my usual irreverent and sometimes crass look at our world, and definitely, at the insanity that comprises mine. Nevertheless, I have been known to be serious every once in a while, and so this post is in that category (of seriousness, of course, although I had to refrain from making some silly observations). Anyway, my dearest friend, whom I have protected from undue attention until now, has posted a rather intriguing challenge at her blog, which will remain linked here until she has a cow and makes me disable the link. Go read it because it explains much more clearly why I am endeavoring to read the bible and the catechism in one year.

I'm thinking, rather than deluge her blog with what could be long comments, that we just post a link to responses at our own blogs. At the very least, it'll get some blog traffic moving all over the place, and that's always a good thing. I imagine that those of you on facebook can provide links as well.

Anyway, without further adieu, here is my response to the first study assignment. Feel free to post a link to your blog, or if you are one of those folks that just likes a hit and run post, knock yourself out and leave a full comment here.

CCC 2623-2636

This section of the catechism deals with the fellowship of the Christian journey. It is a call for prayer, at one with the Church in the formal sense through the fellowship of our brothers and sisters in Christ. The exhortation is that through prayer we journey towards the fullness of the Truth.

To this end we explore three kinds of prayer: blessing and adoration, petition, and intercession. I never before saw how intertwined these prayers are. Through intercession we pray as Jesus prayed, and our petitions come through in that act, but through adoration we expose ourselves to both the trust and acceptance of God’s will, and also convey the blessing from us to adore and pay homage to our God.

Sirach 36:1-14

The title of this passage, Prayer for God’s People,” invokes in its opening, “Have mercy upon us, O God of all.” The rest follows as high praise for the powerful and mighty God that is also glorious and holy.

Ezekiel 40-41

Astonishingly detailed description of the holiest place, the altar before the Lord. On the one hand a rather drawn out and probably incredibly rich description, full of meaning totally lost on me, i.e., the numbers, and what of the palm trees? Nevertheless, the attention to detail here is meaningful to me in a different way—that great care and attention should be given to the praise and worship of the Lord.

Revelation 5

Revelations always a mystery to me clouded with symbolism that I lack the historical and theological background to decipher, is here understood to be an instance of great adoration, for the Lamb in this story is worshipped and praised to the highest level. At least this time I get the meaning of the Lamb!

Thematically, all of these references point to our need—dare I say, responsibility, for worshipping and praising God—not out of a sense of obligation or fear, but from the profound understanding and belief that He is indeed most worthy and deserving of it.