Michael Terheyden on 'Why I am Catholic: An Introduction'

By Michael Terheyden
6/16/2012
Catholic Online (www.catholic.org)

I am a Catholic because I believe truth is real and that the fullness of truth, especially as it relates to the human person, is only found in the Catholic Church

In January of 2012, Pope Benedict XVI said the world is facing a profound crisis of faith, and Christianity is in grave danger and risks oblivion. In the United States, open persecution of the Catholic Church has begun under the Obama administration. So what are we to do? One thing we can do is reflect on why we are Catholic.

Jesus said, 'I am the way and the truth and the life' (Jn 14:6)

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KNOXVILLE, TN (Catholic Online) - Pope Benedict XVI made the following two comments when he spoke at a meeting held by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in January 2012: The world is facing a profound crisis of faith, and Christianity is in grave danger and risks oblivion. In the United States, open persecution of the Catholic Church has begun under the Obama administration. So what are we to do? One thing we can do is reflect on why we are Catholic. Knowing the reasons why we are Catholic can strengthen us and help us keep our faith alive in a dark and uncertain future.

Each of us has his or her own story to tell. Technically, mine began when, by God's grace, I was born into a Catholic family. But I will begin when I was still in high school and preparing for college about forty years ago because that was a turning point for me. Back then it seemed like college campuses across the country were on fire. I am referring to the throngs of protesters that were on the news almost daily. They had so much to say. I listened to them point out the evils of our society. They cared. They were going to make things better. I suppose it was because they were older that I looked up to them.

I finally left home for college in the early 1970's. It did not take me long to see the hypocrisy around me parading as self-righteous indignation. I did not find peace and love or a higher ethic; I found self-indulgence, escape, thrill seeking, lust, rebellion, and chaos. Needless to say, I did not fully immerse myself into this culture and steadily drifted away from it.

However, this left me in a quandary. Although I continued to practice my faith, at least minimally, I had largely rejected my parents' values and was now adrift without a value system or meaning. I felt completely free, but I also felt lost and alone. It was like being on the open sea in a small sail boat without a rudder or a compass to guide me. Fortunately for me the 70's was also a time of soul searching. Thus, my quandary motivated me to search for truth and the meaning of life.

I was surrounded by secularism. It stretched out before me as far as I could see. So I began my search in this environment. I took classes in the humanities, the social sciences and the physical sciences. All of these studies were interesting and helpful, but I never found what I was looking for, only fragments, bits and pieces. I gave up hope that I would find answers in secularism.

At this point, I began searching for spiritual answers. I read about the major world religions, except for Christianity. I did not think Christianity, or anything Western for that matter, had the answers I was searching for. Eastern thought fascinated me most, so I concentrated on it. I found great wisdom and beauty in Eastern religion and philosophy, but I could not accept some of their fundamental assumptions or their relativistic reasoning.

My mind was wide open to new ways of looking at the world in those days, but I needed ideas to be rational and relate to human experience in some way. This need gave me something solid to stand on. It also led me to books which attempted to synthesize Eastern and Western thought. These ideas were exciting at first, but as I read more, I found them too speculative and shallow. In general, I felt like these books were leading me in circles, so I stopped reading them.

Only after I had failed to find what I was looking for in secular and Eastern thought did I look at Christianity. I still did not think I would find answers in Catholicism, so my explorations only included Protestantism. Some of the protestant writers had a dramatic impact on me, and I am eternally grateful to them. Reading them was like soaring above the tree tops. Yet, my need for firm footing dampened the flame they ignited. Except for C.S. Lewis, and maybe one other, their reasoning was too loose for me at times.

That is when I started reading Catholic books, and they blew my mind! Catholicism included the fragments--bits and pieces--of truth that I had found in secular, Eastern and protestant thought, and much more. Its reasoning was tight and elegant. Moreover, it offered profound explanations of human experience and compelling, forceful reasons for faith. After being tossed about in the open sea for years, I finally felt solid ground beneath my feet, and it brought me much comfort.

Now, many years after landing upon Catholic shores, I can make my confession of faith in union with our first pope. When Jesus asked the apostles if they also wanted to leave Him, Peter responded, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life" (Jn 6:68). Peter's response has great meaning for me today because it represents one of the chief reasons why I am Catholic. I am a Catholic because I believe truth is real and that the fullness of truth, especially as it relates to the human person, is only found in the Catholic ...

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1 - 10 of 15 Comments

Susan
11 months ago
I do hope and pray you are grateful that your parents did, indeed, hand on the Catholic faith to you, even though you express that is not why you are Catholic. Perhaps that they handed on the Catholic faith to you plays a deeper role than you might be aware!
Leslie
11 months ago
I am a converted Jew. I converted to the Catholic faith because of my love for Our Blessed Virgin Mother. The Catholic faith has given me a clearer understand of my race more so than ever before. My love of Our Lord has turned to nothing short of adoration. I find myself completed not in race alone but further when accepting the Catholic Church as my faith. My wish is for others like myself in whatever race or faith recognize with complete respect of our Church.
There is , and have always been, open hostility for Our Mother Church, internationally and in our nation. I cannot say that I have approved of it's past politics and abuse. These however have never swayed me from my love for the Lord and Our Blessed Mother. I have gone through the pains of adoption as a mother and child. I could not abort even before conversion because I cherished the life grpwing inside of me.
I have read two books by a fellow Jewish convert Roy H. Schoeman. One is a thought provoking insight that will take you from Abraham and to this day and age. It goes into a very real and thorough explanation not only from the Old Testament but the Torah and it's influence on Our Lord, Our Mother, and the apostles. I will take you into the truth behind the written scandals of WWII and further. The other is Honey From the Rock. This will give you insight of the conversion of Jews who converted, their struggles with family and friends, and their absolute faith in the Catholic Church.
I'll end this with one extra thought. As a person who suffers with an incureable disability I will go further to be an example of Our Lady by volunteering to serve those who have problems greater than I.
Larry Hayes
11 months ago
Techwreak,

I heartly agree with your comment. In addition, I now have an objective, rational, and compelling answer to a "libreal" friend who asked me why I belong to an "organized religion" i.e. the Catholic Church.

Thank you, Michael, for your stirring words on why the only real truth is Jesus Christ.
Fr. Dheeraj Sabu IMS
11 months ago
Obama administration played the role to challenge christian community to rediscover the beauty and explore the treasures of Catholic faith. May God open Obama administration's eyes too, to rediscover Christian faith.
Eleyesha
11 months ago
"Pope Benedict XVI made the following two comments when he spoke at a meeting held by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in January 2012: The world is facing a profound crisis of faith, and Christianity is in grave danger and risks oblivion. In the United States, open persecution of the Catholic Church has begun under the Obama administration."

God said this in reference to Christianity risking oblivion as stated above --

"Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means 'rock'), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it."

It always amazes me that the devil is able to commercialize his propaganda through misplaced words. Christians would normally think "Oh my goodness, are we falling apart and going to hell (oblivion)" based upon this message.

The answer is, God is always ahead of the devil in history being written. He'll fix His problems as long as you have faith and contribute to His word. No we don't risk oblivion. The Holy Spirit knows His children well enough to know we will prevail as He said we would.

Bless God forever....
Michael Terheyden
11 months ago
In addition to the books I mentioned previously, I would add the following: Catholicism and Fundamentalism, by Karl Keating; The Imitation of Christ, by Thomas A Kempis; Introduction to the Devout life, by St. Francis De Sales; The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius, by St. Ignatius Loyola; The Story of a Soul, by St. Therese of Lisieux; Divine Intimacy, by Father Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalen. I believe that all of the books I have mentioned are pure gold (even at today's prices). Yet, this list is far from complete.
kathy
11 months ago
John you are right, we cannot serve two Gods. We either serve God and keep the commandments, or serve man and deny the truth.
Barbara Logan
11 months ago
You have told my story better than I could ever have done. Thank you!
Michael Terheyden
11 months ago
Patricia, it is hard to match a person up with the best book for them without knowing where they are on their journey, but here are some great books and authors in addition to the Bible: Catechism of the Catholic Church; Vatican II documents; My Way of Life, published by Confraternity of the Precious blood; Theology and Sanity, by Frank Sheed; The Life of Christ, by Fulton J. Sheen; anything by Blessed John Paul II, Pope Benedict XVI, Schott Hahn (especially A Father who Keeps His Promises, The Lambs Supper, and Letter and Spirit), Peter Kreeft, C. S. Lewis (especially Mere Christianity and The Abolition of Man), and Plato; Man's Search for Meaning, by Victor Frankl; and General Philosophy, by David Elton Trueblood.
Patricia Miller
11 months ago
The article was great and I admire his persistence in finding the truth. I would love to know what books he read that made a difference because I have a couple of family members I would love to give them to.

P.M.

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