Chelsea Moga
I love the Catholic faith! I am amazed by its beauty and authenticity. To say that the faith is a firm foundation and my very backbone is probably an understatement. Over the years, the Catholic faith has shaped me and transformed me in countless ways that are unimaginable. It is hard for some to envision.
When I was little, I suffered from loneliness and rejection after rejection — pretty much being the outcast. It got to the point when I tearfully questioned, “Why do I exist? Why am I here?” My parents told me: Because Jesus wants you here. He made you. Then I wanted to find out who Jesus was and start questioning him about my existence.
I had a very good encounter with Jesus when I was around 7 years old, at a time when I was so eager to receive my first holy Communion. It gave me a desire in my heart to want to encounter Christ as often as possible through the Eucharist. As I got to know Jesus and all that he went through, it put me at ease that he has been through all of what I was going through. I could relate to him so easily. I could unite my sufferings and brokenness with his and he could make me new again — just like he promised in Revelation 21:5: “Behold I make all things new.”
All thanks to my faith, I developed many skills and traits. I was invited to lector at age 12. As I have been lectoring throughout my teenage years and into my early 20s, I have developed the confidence and courage needed for public speaking. I became an extraordinary minister of the Eucharist right after I was confirmed, as I wanted to add another “holy skill.”
It says in Psalm 34:18 that the Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those crushed in spirit. With all the crushing that was allowed to happen in my soul, I am realizing that the Holy Spirit wants to break in and work in me full time. In order to make wine, grapes need to be crushed. In order to make perfume, flowers need to be crushed. In order to make olive oil, olives need to be crushed. I wonder what I will be made into with all this crushing. That remains a mystery to this day.
I am passionately Catholic because it enables me to live a meaningful life. It reminds me that I have a purpose. Until I discover what that purpose is, I will be enjoying this scavenger hunt that the Holy Spirit has given me.
Moga, 28, is a parishioner of Our Lady of Grace in Edina. She works as a ramp agent for an airline and enjoys reading, fitness, praying and meeting new people.
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