The Best Book I’ve Ever Read

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I started a book last night.  I read 70 pages in 45 minutes.  It was that good.  I finished it today.  The title is Breaking Through: Catholic Women Speak For Themselves.

I make no secret of the fact that I am a Catholic woman.   I recently came back to the church after a 15 year absence.  I try my best to adhere  to all of the moral teachings of my church.  I also love all people.  I do not judge.  I also do not post my very strong opinions on certain subjects on this blog or my facebook page  as I am not interested in a debate with those who have differing opinions.  The simple reason for this:  I won’t change your mind and you won’t change  mine.

I am not a get-in-your-face evangelizer.  Speaking or writing about God, Jesus Christ and my church is not my evangelizing style.  Rather I choose to LIVE it, to allow my actions, my soul and sheer love for other human beings shine through and trusting that God will plant the seed in others I interact with.  If someone respectfully questions my beliefs or my faith, then I have no trouble sharing my reasons and my intensely personal story on my journey away from God and back.

The issues that Catholic women are facing these days are HARD.  I consistently see messages, updates, tweets etc. conveying a similar message:  How can Catholic women adhere to such antiquated and countercultural ideals?  How do I reconcile my strong moral beliefs with a culture that appears  determined to tell me I am wrong.  A culture that tells me I am betraying my fellow women.

Breaking Through is a compilation of essays by Catholic woman.  Educated strong Catholic women.  An ob-gyn who used to perform abortions and prescribe contraception.    A hip late-twenties single woman living in D.C. who actually practices chastity.  A couple of Ph.D’s, a couple of lawyers, a couple of M.D.’s.  The topics include

• Navigating Dating and Sexpectations
• Feminism, freedom and contraception
• Children versus a “better me”
• Being Catholic in light of the sexual abuse scandal
• Faith, psychology and same sex attraction

As a law school educated Catholic woman, I picked up this book and very nearly couldn’t put it down.  While I am not ashamed to discuss my faith, it is difficult for me to articulate the reasons behind the church’s teachings and why I believe what I believe.  I just know I believe.  The faith journey is a complicated one.  One that requires research, prayer and love.  This book helped me to think critically about my reasons and my faith.

If you are a practicing Catholic woman, I highly recommend this book.  If you are a Catholic woman who struggles to reconcile the Church’s teaching with society’s current moral standards, I highly recommend this book.  If you are a non-practicing Catholic woman, I highly recommend this book.

Actually, if you are a man or a woman, Catholic or not, I recommend this book.  It is my opinion that we can all learn a great deal about each other and slowly begin to erase the vitriole which has grown to almost epic proportions between Catholics and Non Catholics.  Christians and non-Christians.  Regardless of your beliefs, we all need to love each other.

I have gay friends.  I have friends who have suffered through abortions.  I have friends who use contraception.  I have friends who have sex outside of marriage.  But I love them all just the same.  That is what God commands me to do.  And I do it happily and heartily.  I challenge all of you to do the same.

xoxo

Andrea