A Matter of Faith

 I am totally and fully committed to Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. I don't just believe,  I know He's real. I was raised in the Protestant form of Christianity.  But lately I have been giving very serious thought to converting over to Roman Catholicism.  After all Jesus did tell His disciple Peter, "You are the rock upon which I will build my church." Peter is recognized as the first Pope. As I truly want to follow my Lord as closely as possible,  the thought of converting to Catholic has been growing on my conscience. 

I joined a group on social media for Protestants considering conversion,I asked some questions and the folks in the group were welcoming and helpful.  I started following some Catholic clergy on social media too. As a Protestant,  I was always of the opinion that we were more warm and welcoming,  where the Catholics were more strict. But the clergy members I followed were very open and friendly.  I started to feel more confident about converting. Then I found out something that has changed my mind.

I've been an active Freemason for 38 years. Freemasonry has not only encouraged me to want to have a closer walk with my Lord, it's brought some really great people into my life. Our charities that help children and the elderly are well known and held in high regard. 

In doing some more research into the Catholic faith,  I've found that the faith considers membership in Freemasonry to be a grave sin. A grave sin? A fraternity that requires me to have a belief in God? A grave sin? A fraternity that provides great and wonderful charitable works to so many, a grave sin?

In my Lodge, and in all Masonic Lodges it's forbidden to discuss religion or politics, as those are great dividers of men. Understandably so. By not doing that, I can sit in Lodge in fellowship with my Brethren,  whether they be Christian,  Jewish, or Muslim. We see ourselves as Brothers under the Fatherhood of God. How can that be a grave sin? The Jesus, I know and love  would sit there among us and would rejoice over our brotherly fellowship.  "A new commandment I give unto you, that you love one another, as I have loved you." A grave sin?

My apologies Lord. You know I love You and want to be as close to You as I possibly can, but I cannot convince myself that something that encourages me to want to be closer to You, and closer to those You've commanded me to love, can be sinful. I'll still follow those Priests and Brothers I've found on social media,  as I found a Christian kinship with them. But, my heart hurts a bit  about all this. I wish it didn't. 

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