Whenever I need centering, whenever I need serene worship, whenever I need anonymity in worship; I run to my roots and head to Catholic Mass. I walk into the doors and my being is literally lifted up as the Cathedral-like sanctuaries invite me in. Saturday night was one of those nights for me.
I love the icons and ornamentation in Catholic Churches. Each icon is a visual representation of a Biblical story. I especially like the familiarity of seeing the Stations of the Cross in each sanctuary. I am smiling as I write this because the first date that Jim and I went on was to a Catholic Church. We sat outside where the Stations of the Cross courtyard was looking at art. Church geeks, I know 
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The liturgical movements and repetition I dig beyond belief too. I love the standing, the kneeling, the sitting, and holding hands during the Lord’s Prayer. I feel like my body is involved in worship and not just my mind.
I love the reverence — oh boy do I love the reverence. That is probably 1 of the 2 biggest reasons why I run to my Catholic roots in times of centering. I look forward to dipping my hands into the holy water that is positioned on the wall by all the doors. I can slip into worship, in silence, not feeling like I have to get caught up on my neighbors latest gossip. Before the liturgy begins, each worshipper is invited to pull the kneeling bench down to prepare himself/herself for worship in prayer. This preparatory prayer allows the worshiper to reflect and center.
Probably the biggest reasons why I run to my Catholic roots when I need centering is the Eucharist. I love how the Lord’s Supper is celebrated weekly and I love how we all process to the front where the elements are offered to us. We do not sit in pews and we do not grab a chunk of bread ourselves — each of these ways of communion communicate a different theology that are beautiful in their own way. There is something humbling about walking up to the priest and receiving the body and blood of Christ. It has always been moving to me.
As I worship with my Catholic brothers and sisters I am deeply aware that my theology differs in some drastic ways. I do not believe in the real presence of Christ in the elements, I am aware of the patriarchal ways of the Catholic Church that discriminate women from the office of priesthood, I am aware that my polity beliefs differ from my Catholic brothers and sisters, and I’m aware that while we both have a sacramental view of reality I hold to two sacraments and not twelve. And yet, I still believe we can worship together in unity. A Trinitarian reality is at the center for both of us and I believe that unites us together in worship.
Some have asked me if I feel it is disrespectful to take the Eucharist in a Catholic Church when I do not have the same theological understanding of the Lord’s Supper. Fair and good question. I respond in two ways 1) I’m too much of a post-modern woman to get caught up on these, important, theological discrepancies and 2) I was baptized in the Catholic Church when I was a baby, these are my roots.
I’m not Catholic anymore but I sure do love worshipping with my sisters and brothers and bless them for the work they are called to do. My Catholic days inform me on how to be a better Reformed Church in America pastor and for that I am grateful.
