A Crossroads of Crisis and Regret: A Request for Assistance

[Michael16]

OP; your moment in faith and time is a beautiful thing. Really is. I’m so happy you’re coming back home.

If I may; I’d like to offer a few words.

As I read your posts, I can see that you’re a very intellectual man. I completely understand; I was the same way. Everything had to make sense, had to be lined up, plotted out in a schema and no one was going to force me into a cubbyhole where I’d have to “ shut up and just obey “.

Here’s my faith approach.

When I came home in 2016, I was already in agreeance with the majority of Catholic doctrine; albeit with some questions over a few details. All this was based on pretty straightforward and simple reading of Sacred Scripture.

What I did in my faith journey through RCIA was to immerse myself in Catholicism. I listened to Catholic radio, I sat before the Blessed Sacrament, I prayed the Rosary and I practiced lectio divina as I read Scripture. I allowed God, the Blessed Mother and the saints and holy angels to work in me.

I didn’t wrestle doctrine in my mind. In fact: The mind is where the devil LOVES to lock up people in a grip. There, he can get people to believe and do the weirdest things.

In my combat with Protestant apologists; I’ve noticed that there is an over emphasis on theology and doctrine: Too much time, effort and argument is invested over exact wording in Scripture and it’s implications. That’s a distraction IMHO.

Our lives as Christians isn’t meant to be a philosophical analysis and debate over Sacred Scripture that leads to system building. That’s too intellectual and leads us to put ourselves on par with God.

That being said; here’s my point:

Throw out theology and doctrine for a moment and put yourself in the mindset of a child. Read Sacred Scripture. When you do, pray to God asking Him: “ Lord, where is it You want to lead me in this passage? “

Pray the Rosary. Sit before the Blessed Sacrament.

Allow God to lead you and don’t argue with Him.

The Catholic Faith is a beautiful thing. It’s a lot about heart and it’s transformation.

 

[MiserereMei]

Here’s my faith approach.

A lot of what you put here reminds me of the approach an Orthodox priest once recommended to me. He said that the way people approach the faith can be compared to how one interacts with an apple tree. He said that the way it sounded I approach the faith was as if I chopped down the apple tree in order to count the rings, and then say that I understand what an apple tree is. He recommended the alternative image, (which would correspond to primarily living the faith, especially through the liturgies of the Church) which was: rest beneath the shade of the tree, and enjoy an apple.

Everything had to make sense, had to be lined up, plotted out in a schema and no one was going to force me into a cubbyhole where I’d have to “ shut up and just obey “.

You’ve got me pegged. Am I that much of an open book?

In my combat with Protestant apologists; I’ve noticed that there is an over emphasis on theology and doctrine:

With what happened recently with my wife’s health, I realized that, in the end, that is all I had as a Lutheran. It really hit me when one of our church’s pastors came by the hospital room and prayed a prayer I as a layman could have done. I was grateful that someone came by, but felt that there was something important missing. What eventually brought me comfort and some closure were the old Catholic devotional practices I had shoved away when I left in, what amounts to, a theological tantrum.

Ironically, the nearby Catholic parish is named after a very appropriate patron saint.

Thank you.

 

[Divine3]

Hi. If you can handle a little bluntness… I think time is precious and seeking answers to your questions here is wasting time. Go to a priest or even a bishop. Just make sure that their reputation is one that is faithful to Catholic teaching and debate your concerns with them. Will pray for you, that you move to relating to a person you can see verses an anonymous forum.

 

[MiserereMei]

Hi. If you can handle a little bluntness…

Don’t need to sugar-coat things with me. I’m contemplating becoming the lone Catholic on a Lutheran campus!

Go to a priest or even a bishop. Just make sure that their reputation is one that is faithful to Catholic teaching and debate your concerns with them. Will pray for you, that you move to relating to a person you can see verses an anonymous forum.

I have an appointment with the priest of a nearby parish for Thursday. I do not know his reputation specifically, but considering the bishop is nearby (I actually pass the cathedral on my way to work every day), I would be surprised to find any priests in the area who were too far astray.

 

[Divine3]

My response…. . . :running_man:. . . . . . . . .

 

[Michael16]

You’re always welcome, brother. If I can be of any assistance, please PM me. I’ll make time and help the best I can.

I like the Orthodox priest’s image of the apple tree. Very cool. I’ve always appreciated Orthodox spirituality; I even attempted to practice hesychasm for a little while.

Living the faith. I like that.

As for you’re being an open book: Takes one to know one, right?

When you mentioned your wife’s health; it reminded me of my own troubles prior to coming home. In the face of serious crisis and spiritual warfare; theology and doctrine mean little when it doesn’t provide you with what you need to face and overcome problems. In those times, you need the grace conferred by the Church and her priests. So, I totally understand you.

If I may: I have a suggestion for a Saint you might like. Have you thought about Saint Thomas Aquinas?

By the way: You mentioned a very appropriate patron saint at the nearby parish. Who’s the saint?

Well, thank you very much for your kind words, brother and God bless you. Talk to you later.

 

[MiserereMei]

If I may: I have a suggestion for a Saint you might like. Have you thought about Saint Thomas Aquinas?

As I said somewhere else, I have been asking the intercession of St Augustine of Hippo (my old Confirmation saint), and St. John the Baptist (I was born on the feast of his nativity—this one was actually recommended to me by the same Orthodox priest who gave me the image of the apple tree). I had not thought of St Thomas Aquinas. Thank you for the recommendation.

By the way: You mentioned a very appropriate patron saint at the nearby parish. Who’s the saint?

I will PM this one. I fear if I say, it will narrow down the cities where I am located if one were to put together all the information I have said. I certainly can’t own up to everything I’ve ever written in the past on these forums, and I am not yet ready to publicly acknowledge what I’ve written recently to those who know me personally.

 

[OddBird]

A lot of what you put here reminds me of the approach an Orthodox priest once recommended to me. He said that the way people approach the faith can be compared to how one interacts with an apple tree. He said that the way it sounded I approach the faith was as if I chopped down the apple tree in order to count the rings, and then say that I understand what an apple tree is. He recommended the alternative image, (which would correspond to primarily living the faith, especially through the liturgies of the Church) which was: rest beneath the shade of the tree, and enjoy an apple.

Great post, but that analogy in particular is lovely. Thank you for sharing it.

 

[Minks]

@MiserereMei

So, I just wanted to give another update.

I met the priest, who gave me a quick tour of the church with a bit of its history, asked what had brought me to visit, and blessed my rosary. Before I left, he said that he would pray for my wife and I, and asked that I pray for the parish. He said Thursday we would talk more about my particular concerns and we would figure out what was the best course to take.

The parish is relatively small, poor, and struggling (he happily said that the bishop had very recently promised that the parish would stay open in perpetuity, despite this); it is bilingual, serving in a very diverse part of town. The Lutheran parish my wife and I are members of is one of the largest and wealthiest churches in town. Despite my adoration of the romanesque architecture of the Lutheran parish we have attended, there was a palpable, immediate, and enduring difference of feeling—old, familiar, captivating.

My theological doubts, objections, and questions no longer matter to me.

I want to go home.

@MiserereMei

Now you have me crying, Young Man. God holds you in the palms of His hands, don’t you know?

Blessings to you and your wife. Like so many others who are reading your thread, I’m praying for you and OddBird and the other CAFers who are running alongside the Tiber.

@OddBird