I'm a lifelong Catholic but struggled to understand Mary for years. What finally clarified it for me was an experience in prayer where I imagined myself listening to the Sermon on the Mount-- or trying to. I tried to imagine it as realistically as I could, and found that there were too many people in the way, I couldn't hear very well, and I couldn't move closer. I had the thought, "Mary would be right up front since she's His mom. I wonder if she could get me closer." I called out to her, and I immediately saw her moving through the crowd to get me, and then moving me up front where I could actually see and hear.
And that was it. It sounds simple, but for whatever reason that clarified stuff I'd known intellectually for years (and even tried to act on) into something I could actually understand.
I know you mentioned Matt Fradd who has his own related ministry, but have you heard of Ray Ortlund's book? I listened to it a few months ago. There's a lot of (necessarily) difficult and hard-hitting writing on all its evils and the psychological and social harms... but there's certainly an equally great need for pastoral and fatherly voices geared towards men that isn't pure shaming. His book was great: https://bookshop.org/a/99872/9781433576690
Your journey toward accepting the love and support of Mary and growing in forgiveness and compassion for yourself is beautiful and filled with evidence of the Holy Spirit working in your life. I would suggest entering into prayer about the possibility of approaching a priest to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession). Probably better to ask a priest privately rather than just showing up in a confessional; often this sacrament is available on the way to entering the Church fully (likely this is the same in Orthodoxy, as well).
The freedom that comes with the first sacramental (I am not diminishing your private and public confessions in the past, but the sacrament itself is *more*) confession is most atonishing. I pray you will receive this sometime in the coming months!
Hi, Daniel. I subscribed to your newsletter specifically for conversations about the "weird" parts of Catholicism like praying to the saints, especially Mary. I was raised in the Pentecostal tradition, raised to essentially believe that Roman Catholics were not Christians, and worse, idolaters, because they prayed to Mary. After a couple of years of sitting with and wrestling with these types of things, my judgement of these practices and beliefs have (blessedly) fallen away, and I celebrate that my Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox brothers and sisters have such a historically rich and diverse faith.
I yearn for my own church family to embrace the history of the church, the liturgical calendar, the celebration of the Saints and pioneers of our faith, and a more ecumenical approach to inter-congregational fellowship.
I am on my way to Orthodoxy from Protestant land. No one is coming with me, but no one is shunning me either. It's strange and overwhelming, but there are more important things than comfort, and distress can help us cast off that which hinders us.
Thank you so much for your continued support, Kristin. I never expected to share so much but am glad I have. It’s been really great for me and hopefully has been helpful to others along the way.
Another title of Mary for you to ponder on: Mediatrix of Grace. I appreciate the vulnerability with which you write, Daniel. May God continue to bless you and your family on this journey. And may our blessed mother cover you with her mantle of protection and keep you from any harm and any evil.
I'm a lifelong Catholic but struggled to understand Mary for years. What finally clarified it for me was an experience in prayer where I imagined myself listening to the Sermon on the Mount-- or trying to. I tried to imagine it as realistically as I could, and found that there were too many people in the way, I couldn't hear very well, and I couldn't move closer. I had the thought, "Mary would be right up front since she's His mom. I wonder if she could get me closer." I called out to her, and I immediately saw her moving through the crowd to get me, and then moving me up front where I could actually see and hear.
And that was it. It sounds simple, but for whatever reason that clarified stuff I'd known intellectually for years (and even tried to act on) into something I could actually understand.
May God bless your continued discernment as you grow closer to Him and His Mother! Please be assured of my prayers for you.
This is beautiful, Daniel. You remain in our prayers in the Dietz household during this time of discovery and discernment!
I know you mentioned Matt Fradd who has his own related ministry, but have you heard of Ray Ortlund's book? I listened to it a few months ago. There's a lot of (necessarily) difficult and hard-hitting writing on all its evils and the psychological and social harms... but there's certainly an equally great need for pastoral and fatherly voices geared towards men that isn't pure shaming. His book was great: https://bookshop.org/a/99872/9781433576690
In case anyone else reading is interested!
I’ve not heard of it but I will check it out. Thank you Haley, for always having a great resource to reference. It’s truly helpful!
Your journey toward accepting the love and support of Mary and growing in forgiveness and compassion for yourself is beautiful and filled with evidence of the Holy Spirit working in your life. I would suggest entering into prayer about the possibility of approaching a priest to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession). Probably better to ask a priest privately rather than just showing up in a confessional; often this sacrament is available on the way to entering the Church fully (likely this is the same in Orthodoxy, as well).
The freedom that comes with the first sacramental (I am not diminishing your private and public confessions in the past, but the sacrament itself is *more*) confession is most atonishing. I pray you will receive this sometime in the coming months!
Hi, Daniel. I subscribed to your newsletter specifically for conversations about the "weird" parts of Catholicism like praying to the saints, especially Mary. I was raised in the Pentecostal tradition, raised to essentially believe that Roman Catholics were not Christians, and worse, idolaters, because they prayed to Mary. After a couple of years of sitting with and wrestling with these types of things, my judgement of these practices and beliefs have (blessedly) fallen away, and I celebrate that my Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox brothers and sisters have such a historically rich and diverse faith.
I yearn for my own church family to embrace the history of the church, the liturgical calendar, the celebration of the Saints and pioneers of our faith, and a more ecumenical approach to inter-congregational fellowship.
Thank you for sharing from your heart.
I am on my way to Orthodoxy from Protestant land. No one is coming with me, but no one is shunning me either. It's strange and overwhelming, but there are more important things than comfort, and distress can help us cast off that which hinders us.
God Bless you on your journey, Sir!
It's a joy and privilege to get to witness the journey you're on, Daniel!
Thank you so much for your continued support, Kristin. I never expected to share so much but am glad I have. It’s been really great for me and hopefully has been helpful to others along the way.
Another title of Mary for you to ponder on: Mediatrix of Grace. I appreciate the vulnerability with which you write, Daniel. May God continue to bless you and your family on this journey. And may our blessed mother cover you with her mantle of protection and keep you from any harm and any evil.