2 Mental Stumbling Blocks I need to Overcome Please

[pwlj_christ87]

I have two main stumbling blocks I need to overcome:

1. even though I want to go to mass, adn need to go, I will go… but when someone has told me in the past that I have to (such as a priest), it makes me totally not want to go, kind of like rebelling like when your a kid, you still love those people but your angry that you are telling you that you need to go, when you already know you have to go and that you want to,
2. The World - i hate the world, but i want to live in it. so there is that contradiction , which is only a contradiction becuase i havent differentiated the two philosophies, i want to go to church but i know I have to live in the world, so i figure, why not just live in the world without going to church, sometimes i feel that the church will alienate me from doing well in the world such as at my job, with family, friends, etc.

please help

 

[midori]

For the first one, it might be helpful if you get a better internal grasp on what happens during the Mass. Are you actively accomplishing anything by your participation, or are you passively sitting there letting other people’s words wash over you, or parroting back any responses without considering the words you speak?

Showing up is always a good first step, but mindfulness is much better.

For the second one-- you need to figure out what the point of your existence is. God’s plopped you down in the world, but wants you to serve him. You need to figure out how to be pleasing to God— and all else is secondary. It’s called “detachment”. Like so many great saints (a la Teresa of Avila’s Interior Castle), you need to learn how to become indifferent to both praise and criticism, in a good way. When all your focus is on being pleasing to God, it doesn’t matter whether people applaud your works or say you’re foolish.

You’ve got some of your basics down, but it would help if you start cultivating more depth. You know what to do— but you need to know why it’s important to do, so it gives you the strength to stick to it, and pursue it more aggressively.

 

[mh2007]

Keep going to Mass while you are seeking. Also, if you have a Missal, pre-read the Epistle and Gospel. Get to know the Order of the Mass, the origin of the prayers, etc. Being involved will bring deeper understanding and graces. You are being called to your graces, and that is a good thing. God Bless You.

 

[Jelrak_TB]

I have two main stumbling blocks I need to overcome:

1. even though I want to go to mass, adn need to go, I will go… but when someone has told me in the past that I have to (such as a priest), it makes me totally not want to go, kind of like rebelling like when your a kid, you still love those people but your angry that you are telling you that you need to go, when you already know you have to go and that you want to,
2. The World - i hate the world, but i want to live in it. so there is that contradiction , which is only a contradiction becuase i havent differentiated the two philosophies, i want to go to church but i know I have to live in the world, so i figure, why not just live in the world without going to church, sometimes i feel that the church will alienate me from doing well in the world such as at my job, with family, friends, etc.

please help

I certainly understand your hatred of the world…further, basic human nature suggests that one is more apt to rebel at what might be perceived to be a command rather than a request or suggestion…I would recommend you attempt to make a negative a positive by realizing that obeying when you would normally rebel should assist you in growing in humility…as for the church alienating you from doing well? I would hardly think that likely. If anything it should improve your ability to advance given that family, friends, and employers are more apt to appreciate your commitment to the pursuit of goodness, honesty, integrity, and all that that conveys…

Good luck…

 

[pwlj_christ87]

thanks all

 

[Casilda]

Midori has given you some great advice on your 2nd block. As for the first, it really isn’t about what anyone says about Mass…its about Jesus, Savior, he is there, waiting for you. Some of us are fortunate to have Mass available everyday. Everyday with Jesus. That’s how you get through being in this world.