stations of the cross

how many classes in evangelical seminaries would not only take the time to discuss a variety of prayer practices, but to include ones that are part of our historical christian faith, even those that have for so long been ignored or rejected outright by protestants?

this week, during prayer I, as a class, we walked the stations of the cross. this is a form of prayer practiced since medieval times, but lost amongst protestants since the reformation.

while, for me, it was distracting to walk in the midst of a group of at least seventy of us, there was also a sense of something beyond me that i experienced by being with such a large community all at once. i must say, it brought to mind my sinful nature by the fact that i spent so much of my time judging - thinking badly - of those i walked with.

i think the best part of the experience for me was the reminder of quiet walks through the stations of the cross at my childhood church. i probably never did it on my own until high school, and then rarely (and only until hurricane andrew blew away our outdoor garden which contained the stations). but i remember the quiet peacefulness, and the communion with God that i got to experience in those walks.

it makes me want to find a church somewhere nearby with the stations. it makes me want to make it at least a semi-regular practice. and it reminds me of some of the reasons that i still long for something that the R.Catholic church offers that i can't seem to find in any protestant church. for at least a few years now, i've been longing to go to mass - at least occasionally - yet i never seem to do so. i can't help but wonder if i would be able to feel more at home in protestant churches, if i allowed myself to worship in the mystical liturgy of the R.Catholic church on a regular basis.

i think i will always remain brokenhearted over the negativity between catholics and protestants. i can't help but believe that by dismissing each other so vehemently, we are blinding ourselves to many essentials of our faith.

how will i minister in the midst of this tension? i mean, what does discipleship to students look like when i allow myself more openness than the churches we'll be sure to be in will allow for in our ministry? what can i do, in my own small world, to find ways to peacefully bridge protestants and catholics, without trying to force anyone to lose their own particularities? and how can i live in the tension, without anger or judgement towards those who disagree with my viewpoints?