Matt Maher

In any conversion to the Church, there are highs, and deep lows.  On no few occasions, have Kevin and I looked at each other and asked, "Are we Crazy?"  So many times, especially when we have no Catholic friends, or even acquaintance, the easier choice appeared to be to hang it up, and go back to our previous Protestant life.

One such morning, as I was sitting on my couch, in my favorite corner of my way to large sectional, I began to google a few things.  Always slightly dangerous to Google before 7am, but I needed answers.  I had been listening to a song on repeat by Matt Maher, "Christ is Risen."  We had sung it at my Evangelical church, and it was the hot ticket song for the Easter season.  I was bothered by it, because in the song, he continually speaks about the "Church." 
"Oh, Church, come stand in the Light."... "Come Awake, Come Awake,"
It is an anthem to the Church, to rise up, to see that their Savior is not dead, but alive.

I remember as I drove in the car, pre google search, assuming that this Maher guy was a Chris Tomlin esq Evangelical worship guy... thinking to myself, Oh, if he only knew what he was singing about the "Church."  Yes, there is one Church that does need to come awake, and man, if they did, the world would change....

Well google led me to one thing, which led me to another, which led me to my Catholic discovery of the month.  Matt Maher was a practicing Catholic singer/ songwriter who very much knew what he was singing in his song.  The words on the screen will be forever blazed into my memory.  Matt Maher, talking about the Eucharist, Adoration, and the Catholic Church. 

This may sound odd to some, to be so hung up on a singers church origins.  But as an Evangelical  converting to Catholicism, I felt like I was leaving the world of worship songs, great Bible studies, and passionate preaching.  The only well known artists I was aware of were "any church as long as they believe in Jesus," type of worship leaders.  The talent, in my mind, was on the Protestant side of the river.  So when I discovered, (Or the Lord graciously showed me, through Google), that the very artist who was making the largest impact through my radio, was worshipping Him through his Church, it was as if confirmation bells of Hallelujah rang free. 

This grew exponentially when further discovery showed that he was also the writer of one of the most popular praise songs of non denominational churches everywhere: Your Grace is Enough.  Yep. A Catholic wrote that. 

We have been beyond encouraged by many other songs of Mr. Maher's.  And my one thought to the protesting Protestant who claims that all blind squirrels find a nut sometimes.... is this:  Matt Maher is a great song writer because  of his Catholicism.  Not, in spite of it.   The wisdom found in the Catholic Church is profound.  It is Truth, and it is full.  Many of his songs, including "Christ is Risen" are taken from historic Catholic sermons or prayers.  I believe it is why they touch us to the core where other songs could not.  When Truth is heard, it is stirring. 

Every day I am grateful for a Catholic voice among other talented Evangelicals.  I may never know him, or see him in a concert.  But because of Matt Maher, when the songs of the Church are played in my kitchen, I am no longer filled with doubt. 

For Them

Writing a public blog about my specific journey to Catholicism has it's pressures.   So much so, that I rarely find that exact, one thing that I want to write about for a post.  I worry that my specific experience won't be exactly in line with theological truths, and therefore, feel paralyzed. 

Yet, I cannot imagine looking back in 10 years without any notes about our lives now, here, in the midst of conversion.  Most likely, these many months will in no small way define the rest of my life.  How we decide to proceed, either towards the Church, or away from it, will affect my relationship with the Lord, with my husband, my kids, and most definitely my extended family.  It already has, in every case, and therefore I assume only be multiplied in the years to come.

So, I have decided, even if I don't have all Truths in check with the Vatican, and even if I will correct my current self in the future on some issue of the Catechism, I will write.  Because some day my kids will ask.  And on that day, I have to have an answer.  Why are we Catholic?

I am sure, on that day, that many things about who I am will have changed.  But one thing, will probably remain.  When I answer that question, I will still well up with tears.  Because not a day goes by that I am not amazed myself, that the Lord chose to call us to Him, in this profound way.  Not a day goes by that I am not grateful for the Church, what She has done, stood for, and Whom she has loved, so that I could be loved.  So that I could one day reach a fullness of my faith that I once lacked.. once my eyes were open, and I crossed the Tiber.