A Personal Relationship with God

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JohnnyReb

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Right now I’m studying Catholicism with an open mind. Something is drawing me to it, and has been for years (since 2003). This question may be saturated by evangelical thought.

I would like to know if Catholics consider themselves to have a personal relationship with God. For protestants, salvation comes by grace through faith alone, which opens the door to having a personal relationship with God, with direct access to God and salvation. How does the idea of a personal relationship with God relate to Catholic praxis of their faith (ie the sacraments, confession of sins to a priest etc…) Do you consider your relationship with God to be personal, and how is it the same/difference from the relationship with God experienced by Protestants?
 
JohnnyReb said:
Right now I’m studying Catholicism with an open mind. Something is drawing me to it, and has been for years (since 2003). This question may be saturated by evangelical thought.

I would like to know if Catholics consider themselves to have a personal relationship with God. For protestants, salvation comes by grace through faith alone, which opens the door to having a personal relationship with God, with direct access to God and salvation. How does the idea of a personal relationship with God relate to Catholic praxis of their faith (ie the sacraments, confession of sins to a priest etc…) Do you consider your relationship with God to be personal, and how is it the same/difference from the relationship with God experienced by Protestants?
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In Catholicism, personal relationship is termed “union” or “spiritual marriage.”

So, in essense, yes we have a personal relationship with God.

Jim
 
We receive the body, blood, soul, and divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ in every eucharist. Yes, I would say that is personal.

If you wonder if Catholics have a “personal” relationship with God, just read the Diary of St. Faustina, or any of the works by the Saints and Mystics. Personal? You bettcha.🙂
 
I became a Catholic when I was in college after going through a one-year weekly individual lesson with a priest. Becoming a Catholic was my personal choice.

From day one, I have a personal relationship with God. As any other significant relationship, my relationship with God is deepened and matured as time goes by.

As a Catholic, when I pray, I talk to my Lord Jesus and I listen to what He has to say. I also do my daily Rosary. Although Rosary has a lot to do with Mary, Mary always points us to Jesus. The four mysteries of Rosary meditation are reflections on the entire life of our Lord. This reflection and meditation always bring me closer to my Lord.

As a Catholic, when I go to confession, I am actually confessing to Jesus. The priest is the Persona Christi. Though the priest is physically listening to my confession, I am actually confessing to Christ.

As a Catholic, when I attend Mass, again, the priest is the representative of Christ for the Holy sacrifice. The rich Scripture readings in the liturgy of the Word, and the physical presence of our Lord in the liturgy of the Eucharist all strengthen our personal relationship with God. When I receive the Communion, my Lord physically enters into me, I in Him and He in me, the relationship couldn’t be more personal.

I feel so blessed and grateful of being a Catholic. I hope you will be blessed to be a Catholic also.
 
I love God with my whole heart. I talk to him all the time and I try my best to be obedient to Him. God is the MOST important thing in my life…

but I’m always a bit puzzled by the term “personal relationship.” For starters, where is that in the Bible?

Also, I have a “personal relationship” with all sorts of people … my children’s teacher, my next door neighbor, my cousin whom I’m not so fond of… what does that have to do with anything? As one of the twelve, Judas had a “personal relationship” with Jesus and we all know how that turned out.

I can’t speak for all Catholics - or all fomer Protestants - but I can tell you that for me - I experience a MUCH deeper connection to Jesus through the sacrements than I ever did as a Protestant.

God bless you as He leads you on your way,
CM
 
JohnnyReb said:
Right now I’m studying Catholicism with an open mind. Something is drawing me to it, and has been for years (since 2003). This question may be saturated by evangelical thought.

I would like to know if Catholics consider themselves to have a personal relationship with God. For protestants, salvation comes by grace through faith alone, which opens the door to having a personal relationship with God, with direct access to God and salvation. How does the idea of a personal relationship with God relate to Catholic praxis of their faith (ie the sacraments, confession of sins to a priest etc…) Do you consider your relationship with God to be personal, and how is it the same/difference from the relationship with God experienced by Protestants?
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I was raised Protestant. I thought I might be able to help explain since I was a Protestant for most of my life. I was brought up in the Nazarene church. I became Catholic this year at the Easter Vigil. It was the best decision I have ever made!! I do consider myself to have a personal relationship with God. When good things happen, I know He already knows, but I want to tell him about my great day just like I would go tell my very best friend. I don’t think its the same as I had when I was a Protestant…I think it has GROWN! I have never felt closer to God in my whole life!! The sacraments, especially Holy Communion, make you feel this amazing feeling. Knowing more about all the sacrements made me feel closer to God. I was never told about what all they exactly mean. I understand what you are confused about…I was the same way. I went throught the RCIA classes at my parish and was just blown away. Good luck on your journey!
 
JohnnyReb said:
Right now I’m studying Catholicism with an open mind. Something is drawing me to it, and has been for years (since 2003). This question may be saturated by evangelical thought.

I would like to know if Catholics consider themselves to have a personal relationship with God. For protestants, salvation comes by grace through faith alone, which opens the door to having a personal relationship with God, with direct access to God and salvation. How does the idea of a personal relationship with God relate to Catholic praxis of their faith (ie the sacraments, confession of sins to a priest etc…) Do you consider your relationship with God to be personal, and how is it the same/difference from the relationship with God experienced by Protestants?
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Hello JR and welcome to the forum! 🙂

For a while now I’ve been reading a bit about mental prayer. This to me seems to be the best way of having a personal relationship with God.

The following site has a good article about it:

catholicism.org/talk-mentalprayer.html

I picked up a few book recommendations along the way:

Prayer Primer by Thomas Dubay
Fire Within by Thomas Dubay
The Ways of Mental Prayer by Domitry Lehodey
The Soul of the Apostolate by Dom Chautard

May God bless you in your search for the Truth.
Noel.
 
We receive the body, blood, soul, and divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ in every eucharist. Yes, I would say that is personal

Apart from that, when I pray I find myself in tears of joy that my best friend who never lets me down finds that He is fulfilled by coming to one of His children to embead Himslef in me, woh ! that’s a relationship. He is in the grandstand looking down at me with eyes of delight that I who He gave the Holy word in His bible to is using it to draw others from the cluches of hell. He see s me make mistakes not writing them down as penalties, but in pruning me to bare better fruit.
Could I ever say “Abba, Father” without it being a relationship? No way!
That’s a relationship my friend.

God bless
littleone
 
That something that you refer to, that is drawing you to the Catholic Church, is the Holy Spirit. Before Jesus ascended into heaven, He promised to send the Holy Spirit to guide His Church in all Truth, and has continued to do so 2,000 years later. Jesus cannot be separated from His one, holy, Catholic Church, for not only is He the founder but also the head of the Church.

Jesus is The One calling you to come to Him, to be united and be one with Him totally, literally and completely, especially when you receive Jesus Himself in holy communion.

In John’s Gospel, Jesus has promised that whoever eats His flesh and drinks His Blood will have eternal life. He truly meant what He said because He repeated it so many times. The very author of our salvation, our redeemer’s very own flesh, we get to eat, in holy communion… WOW!.. Amazing grace!

The very God who is omnipotent, incomprehensible, creator of all things seen and unseen, King of kings, Lord of lords, transforms Himself into this very simple, humble form of a bread and enters our own human body.

Jesus, the source of our salvation, continuously humbles Himself in the form of bread so He can be a source of our nourishment because He knew how weak we are as human beings, and out of great love and mercy for us, He gives us the very life of God, His very own being.

Talk about personal relationship and salvation at the same time. It doesn’t get better than this!

May God continuously enlighten and open each and every hearts, minds and souls to His Truth…

This is the reply that I wrote before in response to a post on having a personal relationship with God. Hope this helps answer your post.

May God’s peace, love and mercy be with you all!

We all are called not only to have a personal relationship with Jesus, Our Blessed Mother, the angels, the saints, the poor souls in purgatory and our neighbors but also to be ONE WITH GOD.

How can we do this? By receiving Jesus, Our God, Body, Blood Soul and Divinity in the Most Holy Eucharist in a state of grace, at each and every Catholic Mass, during holy communion, when we eat His very own Flesh and drink His very own Blood as He has commanded the apostles 2,000 years ago which the Catholic Church has faithfully followed 2,000 years later. Truly He wasn’t kidding because as John’s Gospel (chapter 6) says some of His followers did not follow Him anymore for they could not accept what He was saying, about eating His Flesh and drinking His Blood.

Sure we have God’s presence when Sacred Scripture is being proclaimed, when 2 or more are gathered in His name, in the distressing disguise of the poor, the sick, the dying, the lonely but He is very specially present in the most Holy Eucharist. I think it was St. Augustine who said that if God could have given us anything more than that, He would. Obviously He could not, for nothing is greater than GOD Himself. Ahhhhh… if people truly realize Who is present at each and every holy mass, present in that holy communion, they will be lining up, arriving hours before (just as people line up very early morning for a Thanksgiving or clearance sale just to get a good deal) just to get in the Church and receive Him. People will be lining up in the confessional to have their souls cleansed from their sins, by Our Good Lord Jesus so we can receive Jesus, God Himself, Who Is utmost Purity and Holiness Himself, with that purity of souls.

I know some people wished that they lived at the time when Jesus lived but we don’t have to wish for that. For the same Jesus that existed 2,000 years ago is the very same Jesus present with us each and every day in the Holy Eucharist. Present in each and every tabernacle in the world where the Sacred Hosts are reserved. Truly He really meant what He said to the apostles that He will be with us 'till the end of times. St. Teresa couldn’t have said it any better that there is really no difference between our life here on earth contemplating God and what the saints are doing in heaven contemplating God. There they see Jesus as He IS, but here on earth we see Jesus veiled, in the appearance of bread.

So, as we receive Jesus in holy communion, the Father and the Holy Spirit also dwells in us for They are One. As what St. Paul says, It is no longer I but Christ Who lives within me. Doesn’t get better than that. A true personal relationship AND union with God Himself.

Scott Hahn, a former Protestant minister and theologian who converted to the Catholic Church after discovering the fullness of Truth found in the Church, said that the Protestants have the menu but we Catholics have the meal. Actually, as I think of it, we Catholics not only have the “menu” (with the bible coming from the Catholic Church) but we also have the meal, Jesus Himself. Now, that is truly awesome!.. God bless!

Blessed be Jesus and Mary!
 
Thanks for your responses. I became interested in Catholicism after my aunt converted (why would anyone want to do that, I asked)

I am intrigued by how personal the eucharist is for Catholics. As Protestant, I have wrestled with my view of communion. I find the “memorial” view to be lacking for me, but have rejected the Catholic view by default. I have always meditated on the presence of Christ when I have taken it (not that he is physically present but spiritually present).

The eucharist, the rosary, the creeds and a more reverent, litergical style of worship are some of the reasons I feel drawn to study Catholicism. Also, all the competing claims of protestant churches that use the same rule of “sola scriptura” to establish their doctrines bothers me. Catholics rely on sacred tradition and have historical roots that go back to the early church. The Pentecostal tradition I come from wants to claim the level of authority that the Catholic church does, but where do they get it from? At least Catholics have an answer. Its rooted in history and the authority that goes back to the apostles.

Anyway, who knows where my spiritual journey will take me. I’m hear to learn, not debate.
 
JohnnyReb said:
Thanks for your responses. I became interested in Catholicism after my aunt converted (why would anyone want to do that, I asked)

I am intrigued by how personal the eucharist is for Catholics. As Protestant, I have wrestled with my view of communion. I find the “memorial” view to be lacking for me, but have rejected the Catholic view by default. I have always meditated on the presence of Christ when I have taken it (not that he is physically present but spiritually present).

The eucharist, the rosary, the creeds and a more reverent, litergical style of worship are some of the reasons I feel drawn to study Catholicism. Also, all the competing claims of protestant churches that use the same rule of “sola scriptura” to establish their doctrines bothers me. Catholics rely on sacred tradition and have historical roots that go back to the early church. The Pentecostal tradition I come from wants to claim the level of authority that the Catholic church does, but where do they get it from? At least Catholics have an answer. Its rooted in history and the authority that goes back to the apostles.

Anyway, who knows where my spiritual journey will take me. I’m hear to learn, not debate.
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Good luck in your journey. I’ll be praying for you.
 
JohnnyReb said:
Thanks for your responses. I became interested in Catholicism after my aunt converted (why would anyone want to do that, I asked)

I am intrigued by how personal the eucharist is for Catholics. As Protestant, I have wrestled with my view of communion. I find the “memorial” view to be lacking for me, but have rejected the Catholic view by default. I have always meditated on the presence of Christ when I have taken it (not that he is physically present but spiritually present).

The eucharist, the rosary, the creeds and a more reverent, litergical style of worship are some of the reasons I feel drawn to study Catholicism. Also, all the competing claims of protestant churches that use the same rule of “sola scriptura” to establish their doctrines bothers me. Catholics rely on sacred tradition and have historical roots that go back to the early church. The Pentecostal tradition I come from wants to claim the level of authority that the Catholic church does, but where do they get it from? At least Catholics have an answer. Its rooted in history and the authority that goes back to the apostles.

Anyway, who knows where my spiritual journey will take me. I’m hear to learn, not debate.
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I understand what you are talking about…I was brought up Nazarene and I know that you mean about the views about things being different. I think you are in the same boat I was in about a year ago…If you want to talk further about all this please PM me. I know what you are going though…
 
JohnnyReb said:
Thanks for your responses. I became interested in Catholicism after my aunt converted (why would anyone want to do that, I asked)

I am intrigued by how personal the eucharist is for Catholics. As Protestant, I have wrestled with my view of communion. I find the “memorial” view to be lacking for me, but have rejected the Catholic view by default. I have always meditated on the presence of Christ when I have taken it (not that he is physically present but spiritually present).

The eucharist, the rosary, the creeds and a more reverent, litergical style of worship are some of the reasons I feel drawn to study Catholicism. Also, all the competing claims of protestant churches that use the same rule of “sola scriptura” to establish their doctrines bothers me. Catholics rely on sacred tradition and have historical roots that go back to the early church. The Pentecostal tradition I come from wants to claim the level of authority that the Catholic church does, but where do they get it from? At least Catholics have an answer. Its rooted in history and the authority that goes back to the apostles.

Anyway, who knows where my spiritual journey will take me. I’m hear to learn, not debate.
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Johnny:

I admire your spirit of seeking the truth.
Have you listened to Scott Hahn’s conversion story? Or read his book “Rome, Sweet Home”? If you haven’t, I strongly recommend this book. It is a beautiful conversion story.

You are right about the rich worship style of Catholic Church. I have some Protestant friends and relatives. I have attended Protestant worship before. The Catholic worship, entirely basing on the Bible, is completely Christ centered. The whole Mass is a Holy Sacrifice. The Protestant worship, lacking of the Eucharist, the true presence of our Lord Jesus, seems to focus more on the preacher’s sermon.

Once a protestant pastor friend admitted to me that when Luther created the new denomination, many precious things were lost. This pastor friend said he secretly attended Mass whenever he could. Everyone has his own value. Some will give everything for following the whole truth. Some are satisfied with partial or majority of the truth.

Being in the Catholic Church, the tradition, the rituals, and the worship are all so rich.
For the past a few weeks, we went through many significant events: the Palm Sunday,
the Holy Thursday (celebrate the Last Supper), the Good Friday (celebrate the Passion), the Holy Saturday (Easter Vigil), the Easter, then the Divine Mercy Sunday(Sunday after Easter). On May 27th, we will celebrate the Pentecost Sunday. Our spiritual lives are so enriched by following the Church calendar and the historical significance of each feast. How much I wish our Protestant brothers and sisters may also enjoy them.

I truly hope you will continue your search. I will keep you in my prayers. God bless!
 
Brother
Part of our relationship with God is the fact that we are called to take Jesus as a parent where on the cross Jesus tells us to take Mary as our mother so that we have spiritual parents. God is a family Person, that is the reason why satan is doing it’s best to break family union. When we take spiritual parents ALL people on earth become ,what-------- of course our brothers and sisters. Again thinking in spiritual terms (as we are called to in the Catholic faith) there will be NO division and this is taught by Jesus telling us that we are to love the sinner and hate the sin.
Also that is why confession is imperative. However firstly Jesus tells us before w go to the priest ( God’s representative ) to ask forgiveness then we are to go to the one we have hurt to ask forgiveness, Jesus words " why do you come to me your God who you can’t see to ask forgiveness before you go to the one you have hurt".
This is the depth of Catholic tradition Catholic faith, the root of grafting onto the stem of God in Jesus the Christ.
Which other religion speaks these words?
Only the one Jesus came on this earth to form to be the “way truth and the life”

That is Catholic.
I am a Catholic, for I am a person who has a family who care… Jesus, Mary and the carer of Mary Joseph. I have many brothers and sisters, in the flesh every person on this earth. In the spirit every person who has gone (will go) to heaven and all and every saint who is and is to be, are our brothers sisters.
“Many are called but few are chosen” yes many are called to follow Jesus this way, many said (who can follow this way?) and Jesus asked the disciples “will yo also go?” we are called to say “but Jesus there is no other place for us we have given up all, you have the way of true life”.

Praise God, for ever be blessed the Holy Trinity of God. And the chorus of God all sang out “AMEN AMEN to our GOD” and all the elders and the cherubim gave praise to the one true GOD, the God who is l LOVE.
This brother is Catholic.

Whew! I got all steamed up there!

God bless
littleone
 
InLight247 said:
Johnny:

I admire your spirit of seeking the truth.
Have you listened to Scott Hahn’s conversion story? Or read his book “Rome, Sweet Home”? If you haven’t, I strongly recommend this book. It is a beautiful conversion story.
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You’re not the first to recommend his story to me. I had a Catholic tell me recently that I sort of sound like him with the questions I am asking.
 
Another interesting book is “Born Fundamentalist, Born Again Catholic” by David B. Currie.

The author deals with his questions about “Real Presence”, “Scriptural Authority”, “Church Authority”, “Mary”, “Moral Issues” etc… It is also a very sincere personal story, a good book to read.
 
I strongly recommend Rome Sweet Home as well, and maybe The Seven Storey Mountain.
The eucharist, the rosary, the creeds and a more reverent, litergical style of worship are some of the reasons I feel drawn to study Catholicism. Also, all the competing claims of protestant churches that use the same rule of “sola scriptura” to establish their doctrines bothers me. Catholics rely on sacred tradition and have historical roots that go back to the early church. The Pentecostal tradition I come from wants to claim the level of authority that the Catholic church does, but where do they get it from? At least Catholics have an answer. Its rooted in history and the authority that goes back to the apostles.
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Your reasons for being drawn to the Catholic Church are very similar to mine. I found the claims of sola scriptura gradually harder and harder to believe, since the Bible was given to us, the canon determined, through the infallibility of the Catholic Church. So regardless of how Protestant you are, you must take occasional Church infallibility as a starting point.

I have a personal relationship with God, both in private prayer and devotion, and through participating in worship and the sacraments with my brothers and sisters in Christ. Communal worship, sacramental worship, doesn’t exclude or deny our own individual relationships with God, it enhances them, because we’re doing what we’re supposed to do- joining with our brothers and sisters in Christ in unified worship and reception of his Body and Blood.

I joined the Church on Easter, after lots of struggle. It’s been marvellous for the whole two weeks I’ve been Catholic :D. I’ll pray for you.
 
I picked up a copy of Rome Sweet Home last night and finished this morning (in about five hours reading time). I couldn’t put it down, and it was a straight forward, easy read. I am amazed at the obsticles that Scott and Kimberly overcame in their marriage and in their spiritual journey. I can relate to their stuggles so much, especially about their reluctance to join the church. Like them, I would have a lot to lose (many of the same things as they did) by becoming Catholic. Its alot to take in and consider.
 
JohnnyReb said:
I picked up a copy of Rome Sweet Home last night and finished this morning (in about five hours reading time). I couldn’t put it down, and it was a straight forward, easy read. I am amazed at the obsticles that Scott and Kimberly overcame in their marriage and in their spiritual journey. I can relate to their stuggles so much, especially about their reluctance to join the church. Like them, I would have a lot to lose (many of the same things as they did) by becoming Catholic. Its alot to take in and consider.
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I am a Catholic all my life, but I think I am going to buy this book and read. Like many other conversion stories, I am sure this book will help strengthing my faith.

Johnny, have you also visted the website chnetwork.org ? There is a forum there too, and I think it will help you somehow:
The purpose of The Coming Home Network International (CHNetwork) is to provide fellowship, encouragement and support for pastors and laymen of other traditions (Protestant, Orthodox, etc…) who are somewhere along the journey or have already converted to the Catholic Church. The CHNetwork is committed to assisting and standing beside all inquirers, serving as a friend and an advocate.
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God bless.
 
JohnnyReb said:
I picked up a copy of Rome Sweet Home last night and finished this morning (in about five hours reading time). I couldn’t put it down, and it was a straight forward, easy read. I am amazed at the obsticles that Scott and Kimberly overcame in their marriage and in their spiritual journey. I can relate to their stuggles so much, especially about their reluctance to join the church. Like them, I would have a lot to lose (many of the same things as they did) by becoming Catholic. Its alot to take in and consider.
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I am really glad you read the book. It is always good to be able to relate.

For any worthy cause, there is usually a price to pay. While there is loss, there is also gain. And this gain may be ultimate. It may be a long journey for you. You don’t have to make any decision now. Just keep on exploring and follow the lead of the Holy Spirit.
You are in my prayers.
 
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