Being Catholic: By Choice

I explained why I'm not horrified at the prevalence of Bingo yesterday, although I started out with Chicago's colorful St. Patrick's day tradition:

• "Saint Patrick's Day: When the Chicago River Flows Green; and More"
  (March 17, 2012)
  Particularly
  • Beer, Bingo, and Balance

Bottom line, about Bingo? Or beer? Neither is necessarily a problem. In excess: either could be trouble. (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2290, 2413) And that's another topic.

But I didn't become a Catholic because I'm allowed to drink beer, in moderation; or play Bingo, unless "the passion for gambling risks becoming an enslavement." (Catechism, 2413)

Basically, I became a Catholic because it made sense:

• "Why I Became a Catholic "

It helped that I've been deciding to follow Jesus for as long as I can remember. I also knew that my Lord gave a massive amount of authority to Peter. (Matthew 16:13-19) Eventually, I found out who currently holds that authority. I've been over this before:

"...That authority has been passed along to each of the Popes since Peter's day - and through the hierarchy to the parish priest, down the street from my house.¹ Thanks to the successors of Peter, I have a direct connection to my Lord, and the Last Supper. And Golgotha. In a way. (Catechism, 1326, 1330, 1545)..."
(June 15, 2011)

As for why I accept Jesus as my Lord? I know Who Jesus is. And I know what my Lord did on Golgotha:

"...Anybody dying to save me would make an impression. When the Second Person of the Trinity volunteers: That's not something I'll forget...."
(March 11, 2012)

Slightly-related posts:

• "The Man Who Wouldn't Stay Dead"
  (March 11, 2012)
• "Catholic Counter-Culture and Action Figures"
  (March 4, 2012)
• " 'Dust in the Wind' and Getting a Grip"
  (February 26, 2012)
• "Catholics, Credulity, and Credibility"
  (February 12, 2012)
• "Being Saved, the Narrow Gate, and All That"
  (October 26, 2011)

In the news:

• "St. Patrick's Day means more than green beer"
  Hillary Senour, CNA/EWTN News (March 17, 2012)