Journey through 2013 - Epiphany

Welcome to the January installation of the Journey through 2013 blog along. As mentioned previously, the purpose is to commit to a purposeful exploration of some facet of your life and then write about one aspect each month. If you're also interested, it is not too late to join in the fun!

My theme is Journey into Catholicism and the January topic is Epiphany.For those who haven't heard, I'm in the process of joining the Roman Catholic church - I wrote a blog post about it here if you want to know more. I decided Cathoicisom was ideal for writing this year as there is so much to learn and explore and I want to remember and share my journey. Feel free to ask questions or provide feedback in the comments, it is great to know that people actually read my musings!   

According to dictionary.com, an ephiphay is

1. a Christian festival, observed on January 6, commemorating the manifestation of Christ to the gentiles in the persons of the Magi, 
2. an appearance or manifestation, especially of a deity, 
3. a sudden, intuitive perception of or insight into the reality or essential meaning of something, usually initiated by some simple, homely, or commonplace occurrence or experience, and 
4. a literary work or section of a work presenting, usually symbolically, such a moment of revelation and insight.

The first definition is why I chose the topic for January. As the capstone of the Christmas season, Epiphany remembers when the magi came offering gifts to the Christ-child. Tradition says they were astrologers from the east - non-jews who came to honor a king who had been foretold in the stars and brought him gifts. This year, I spent some time pondering what they must have thought to arrive and meet the child. Were they confused by the lowly and unimportant surroundings? Did they wonder if the shining star was pointing to the correct place? Or did they believe without question?

The third definition has been an important part of my journey into Catholicism. Reading a book, which resulted in reading another book, which resulted in an epiphany that God was calling me to the Roman Catholic church. And had been for a very long time - I just hadn't been willing to obey out of fear. Fear of what my family and friends would think, fear of loosing my protestant identity, fear that I was only converting to make a romantic interest happy. I remember the agony during that time of trying to decide. I acquiesced to the fear and joined the Episcopal church. It had the liturgy that my soul craved, was still protestant, and my family was less likely to object. For quite a while, it was enough. Over time, it became clear that something was missing. Contemplating my church options and what was important, I felt stuck as I was still not willing to seriously consider the Roman Catholic church. Until that day as I was halfway through that book and I knew that I needed to reconsider my objections.

I attended mass with a friend and her family the following Sunday and sitting in the pew there came an incredible sense of peace that even though my heart was full of fear, I was in the right place. 

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Journey into Catholicism

Jan - Epiphany
Feb - Love
March - Lent
April - Easter
May -Pentecost
June - Birthday Bliss
July - Saint Day
August - Sunshine
September  - Anticipation of Waiting
October - Tears
November - Winter
December - Advent / Christmas