A Push for Spiritual Maturity

[JohnDom]

Can you please be a bit more specific? I am bringing to the forefront the important issue of self worth. Self harm is a symptom of disconnection from the source of our self worth which is the soul. Without real self worth, why WOULDN’T people go crazy and harm themselves and others? Without self worth we don’t value ourselves much less other people and this lack of value translates to lack of love which gets projected to the environment around us.

 

[MargaretofCortona]

Why does God give some people more or less talents? How do you guard yourself from envying/coveting what your neighbor has? That’s the core.

 

[pianistclare]

He doesn’t. Perhaps you have some talent you have not viewed in that way yet?
Read up on Solanus Casey. He was thought to be pretty poorly skilled and is about to be canonized in November.

 

[MargaretofCortona]

Oh pianistclare. You’re very hopeful and informative. God bless you.

 

[Vico]

…

Catechism

403 Following St. Paul, the Church has always taught that the overwhelming misery which oppresses men and their inclination towards evil and death cannot be understood apart from their connection with Adam’s sin and the fact that he has transmitted to us a sin with which we are all born afflicted, a sin which is the “death of the soul”. 291 Because of this certainty of faith, the Church baptizes for the remission of sins even tiny infants who have not committed personal sin. 292

405 Although it is proper to each individual, 295 original sin does not have the character of a personal fault in any of Adam’s descendants. It is a deprivation of original holiness and justice, but human nature has not been totally corrupted: it is wounded in the natural powers proper to it, subject to ignorance, suffering and the dominion of death, and inclined to sin - an inclination to evil that is called concupiscence". Baptism, by imparting the life of Christ’s grace, erases original sin and turns a man back towards God, but the consequences for nature, weakened and inclined to evil, persist in man and summon him to spiritual battle.

161 Believing in Jesus Christ and in the One who sent him for our salvation is necessary for obtaining that salvation. 42 “Since “without faith it is impossible to please [God]” and to attain to the fellowship of his sons, therefore without faith no one has ever attained justification, nor will anyone obtain eternal life ‘But he who endures to the end.’” 43

291 Cf. Council of Trent: DS 1512.
292 Cf. Council of Trent: DS 1514.
295 Cf. Council of Trent: DS 1513.
42 Mk. 16:16; Jn 3:36; 6:40 et al.
43 Dei Filius 3S 3012; cf. Mt 10:22; 24:13 and Heb 11:6; Council of TrentS 1532.

Mark 16
16 He that believeth and is baptized, shall be saved: but he that believeth not shall be condemned.
John 3
36 He that believeth in the Son, hath life everlasting; but he that believeth not the Son, shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
John 6:
40 And this is the will of my Father that sent me: that every one who seeth the Son, and believeth in him, may have life everlasting, and I will raise him up in the last day.
41 The Jews therefore murmured at him, because he had said: I am the living bread which came down from heaven. 42 And they said: Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How then saith he, I came down from heaven? 43 Jesus therefore answered, and said to them: Murmur not among yourselves. 44 No man can come to me, except the Father, who hath sent me, draw him; and I will raise him up in the last day. 45 It is written in the prophets: And they shall all be taught of God. Every one that hath heard of the Father, and hath learned, cometh to me. 46 Not that any man hath seen the Father; but he who is of God, he hath seen the Father. 47 Amen, amen I say unto you: He that believeth in me, hath everlasting life.

 

[0Scarlett_nidiyilii]

I read somewhere that if you start to envy someone else’s whatever, to stop, calm your spirit, and say:
“Lord God, thank you for blessing Joe Schmoe with that book deal/spouse/winning lottery ticket/promotion/big house/grand baby/whatever.”
Then you repeat this to God, over and over, with whatever sincerity and graciousness you can muster until you start to feel it.
If you can’t feel it, then tell God that. “I’m trying Lord, I want to stop being envious. Take this envy away from me.”
Then go on with your life.

 

[MargaretofCortona]

Must I feel genuinely happy for them? Id rather not feel anything at all.

 

[0Scarlett_nidiyilii]

At the very least, you want to drain off the poison that envy is.
It’s a lifelong struggle. I look at people and wonder, why do they have “X”, and it came to them so easily and no struggle whatsoever, while I’m struggling to get ___ and it’s been an uphill climb all the way.
It’s poisonous to feel and be that way–rejoicing in other people’s good fortune is better, but sometimes it’s hard to feel glad for other people when things are falling apart on our own lives.
I don’t think there’s anything wrong with feeling neutral (feelings are, after all pretty much out of our control), but I’d rather rejoice…

 

[PJM]

One “guards themselves” by understanding that God IS In Charge

And He promises to OFFER every soul sufficient grace to know Him and through that knowledge, to merit their salvation.

PRAY daily for humility. One is VERY unlikely to attain heave without it.

I have seen in my 73 years, that it is NOT the gifts talents and abilities one HAS, RATHER it is the USE and application of whatever one is granted that REALLY makes the difference.

Worry less about others and MORE about what YOU through God’s graces can accomplish. AMEN

 

[MargaretofCortona]

Of course I’d like to rejoice for other people’s happiness, close friends, family, acquaintances. Some people I’d rather feel neutral, it would feel disingenuous.

 

[TheHolyTrinity]

My convoluted point is. It seems like people who are more emotional need God more because they cannot take care of themselves as good as a rational person

God is our first Father. As our own biological father raised and nurtured us so does God.

I still don’t understand how we are equally sinners.

Every sin is an offense to God. No matter how big or small they are.

If emotions were removed from a lot of issues, it would be easier to get to the heart of the issue. People could maturely debate sensitive issues with reason, facts, and objectively.

Each person is different, each conflict affects each person differently. Some people can remain impartial in one circumstance whilst in another not so. We are human and designed with emotion.

I keep thinking if you have many virtues without any belief in God, why do you need Him?

Those virtues are a gift from God. Cherish them.

I have met many fine atheists who are mature, self contained, reasonable, independent, responsible, etc.

They do not know who God nor do they know immortality. They have may be well-rounded but when it comes to end stages of life they unravel. They become fearful of death. They become anxious, unsettled and fight death all the way. They are not at peace. They do not understand that there is life after death. All they understand is that is it there’s nothing after death, just death and that is scary when death closes in on them.

 

[MargaretofCortona]

Thank you and God bless you for your patience and thorough answers. On a personal level, how can I come to terms with my imperfections and limitations?
This is not to excuse my behavior. I have certain natural sinful inclinations. I wonder why, how and envy that some people can easily not fall into a sin o struggle with.
Does it make me less of a person because I can not understand certain things or that I can not easily shake off a particular vice?

 

[almost2]

Deric prince author of blessing or cursing you can choose.

Offers a look into personal behaviors that can sabatize (spelling error. ) trip us up.

And how to get the upper hand.

 

[daverod]

Hebrews 6:1-3
“Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, 2Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. 3And this will we do, if God permit.”

1 Corinthians 3:2
“I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.”

Hebrews 5:11-14
“Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing. 12For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. 13For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. 14But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.”

 

[De_Maria]

Christ demands us to be perfect as our heavenly Father.

True.

Mediocrity is very easy to fall into.

Mediocrity in whose eyes? Good people finish last. Jesus was crucified, remember?

As Christians we should always be able to rise above ourselves and our issues to see the big picture of Christ.

That’s the goal.

My convoluted point is. It seems like people who are more emotional need God more because they cannot take care of themselves as good as a rational person.

Says who? I’ve met many emotional people who take care of themselves better than so-called “rational” people.

I still don’t understand how we are equally sinners.

Again, says who? I’ve never heard that we are equal sinners.

If emotions were removed from a lot of issues, it would be easier to get to the heart of the issue.

On the contrary, emotions more frequently push people to get to the heart of the matter. At least, that’s been my experience.

People could maturely debate sensitive issues with reason, facts, and objectively.

Rarely are people that rational. Have you ever read the saints when they are talking about the heretics? They don’t sound very nice.

I don’t really see any drawbacks with having self control.

It is definitely a virtue.

I keep thinking if you have many virtues without any belief in God, why do you need Him?

They’ll find out that they need God in the next life, whether they have many virtues or not.

I have met many fine atheists who are mature, self contained, reasonable, independent, responsible, etc. What difference does it make if they profess a belief in Christ?

Very little. But it makes a great deal of difference for you, if you don’t profess a belief in Christ to them because you assume that God wants them to remain in ignorance.

It seems like if you are reasonable and responsible enough you can avoid consequences of so called sins.

In this life.

For example, fornication.

There are many consequences to fornication. Broken hearts, frustrations, etc.

Not every sin will have ramifications.

All sins have ramification. Some will not manifest themselves in this life.

So people don’t feel guilty for returning a much deserved insult.

Probably because they don’t feel they deserve the insult. There are two sides to every story.

If you have confidence and self control, why do you need God in this life?

In this life? Perhaps you don’t think you do. But you’ll need Him in the next.

 

[MargaretofCortona]

I meant it is easy to fall into spiritual mediocrity. How often should Catholics think of the world to come?
I don’t think an eye for an eye is good. I can understand people’s retaliation to a real or perceived insult. Not everyone believes in turning the other cheek.

Perception is so strong. Since there are two sides to every story, does that mean neither is right or wrong or perhaps both are guilty? I keep thinking only God can objectively know the truth during human conflicts.

 

[Vico]

How often should Catholics think of the world to come?

Very often. The formation of conscience should be occur through the entire life. Catechism:

1784 The education of the conscience is a lifelong task. From the earliest years, it awakens the child to the knowledge and practice of the interior law recognized by conscience. Prudent education teaches virtue; it prevents or cures fear, selfishness and pride, resentment arising from guilt, and feelings of complacency, born of human weakness and faults. The education of the conscience guarantees freedom and engenders peace of heart.

1785 In the formation of conscience the Word of God is the light for our path,54 we must assimilate it in faith and prayer and put it into practice. We must also examine our conscience before the Lord’s Cross. We are assisted by the gifts of the Holy Spirit, aided by the witness or advice of others and guided by the authoritative teaching of the Church.55

 

[De_Maria]

I meant it is easy to fall into spiritual mediocrity.

There’s no such thing. You’re either moving forward or falling back.

How often should Catholics think of the world to come?

Always.

I don’t think an eye for an eye is good. I can understand people’s retaliation to a real or perceived insult. Not everyone believes in turning the other cheek.

Jesus Christ gave us the ideal.

Perception is so strong. Since there are two sides to every story, does that mean neither is right or wrong or perhaps both are guilty? I keep thinking only God can objectively know the truth during human conflicts.

That is true. You will often find Catholics on both sides of a war.

 

[MargaretofCortona]

Thanks and God bless you for your answers

 

[MargaretofCortona]

You mention the afterlife. No one knows that for certain. Why would you need God if you have the ability to see things rationally, objectively, calmly, etc? What more could God give you?
This goes back to emotionality. A lot of people cannot perceive the world clearly because of their feelings.
There are so many different flaws in humans. Some have more or less flaws than others.
I always get stuck here in my spiritual growth.