Im-Ra-What?

I'm sure you're wondering where the heck a title like Everyday Immram came from.

It stems from an insatiable interest that I have in the flavor of Christianity that came from the Celtic lands: Ireland, Scotland, England, etc.  The Celtic Christians have always been known for the way they integrated the Christ-Story and the Gospel into their previous beliefs---as many of those nations that have heard the gospel have done in their own cultures.  They did this in a way that compromised neither---well, except for the fact that they no longer made empty sacrifices to false Gods.

There is a strong connection to the Holy Trinity, stemming from a belief in the power of three. There is also a strong draw toward Community, Pilgrimage, and Prayer.  These are the people who came up with the idea of an Anam Cara, or "Soul Friend:"  the belief that every individual needs a truly deep friendship with another for confession and joy, and this need not necessarily be a spouse. There is a respect for nature as well, and a draw to the Desert Fathers of early Eastern Christianity as well.  Mind you, all of these concepts are Cultural ones, not doctrinal.  My doctrinal faith is one that lines up with my Roman Catholic Faith, an expression of Christianity practiced by many with the draw toward Celtic life that still live a Christian belief.  However, one does not need to be a Catholic to be drawn to Celtic Christianity.

An Immram is an Old Irish storytelling format involving the Journey of a Hero on the sea, often to the Otherworld, Tir Na nOg, etc.  The most famous of these stories is the Voyage of Bran.  However the Christian Saint Brendan embarked on one as well, though his "otherworld" was the Promised Land, the Isle of Paradise.   Much like Odysseus' Journey in the Greek Odyssey, these are more often than not a reflection of an inner or spiritual journey in which the Hero learns about himself and his God.

But who says that a spiritual journey has to take place on the ocean?  What about in the sanctity and sacred moments of our everyday boring humdrum lives?  Why couldn't I embark on such a journey in my own city, under and Arch, next to a rolling mighty river?

This blog is my attempt to make a somewhat personal, albeit shared, journey to learn about myself, my God, and my Church....even my Faith.  Every blog is some exploration on that journey that I found worth sharing.
I hope you will journey with me.