Advice please

[Irishguy2013]

I’m not sure if this is the correct forum to be posting under. My apologies if it isn’t, I’m new to this.

I’m wondering if anyone could please give me some advice.

I am really struggling to really ‘connect’ my faith. I live it. Regular Mass, Confessions ect. but I’d can’t seem to connect. I don’t know if that makes sense.

I try to live a good life but I don’t seem to feel it. I can’t seem to engage in a personal relationship with Jesus and Our Lady. I have tried, over and over again. I went to Mass twice after confessions today. But I don’t feel his love. It’s as if I’m not connected. I pray, but I don’t feel the energy or get the strength so many people do. I have pleaded with Jesus to give me this grace over and over for years.

I hope there are people out there who have come out the other side and can offer me advice.

Please help.

 

[SighGuy]

One has to wonder sometimes if people are simply giving highlights when they talk about the amazing relationship they have with God! Because it seems to me like I give it my all, and I still feel discouraged every single day. I believe, firmly… I am in no doubt. Even if I thought I could disbelieve, I cannot, with the testimony of the saints (and especially St. Joan of Arc), rationally disbelieve. But, then, why so often the emptiness?

In truth, part of it is just because of the languishing of my own life. I am not yet committed to a vocation. I’m struggling at the crossroads right now between the hermit life and the married life. Such languishing is not pleasant on the soul! Are you committed to a permanent calling?

But I would be lying to you if I said that there were not days, or at least moments, when I felt truly alive in God. Happy realizations during my prayers or Rosaries, bliss in reading Scripture, real peace and some odd moment. Do you never have these moments? Has it always been empty and cold, or can you confess to these little flickers of life somewhere, sometimes seeming like a distant memory but maybe right around the corner waiting for you again…?

 

[bardegaulois]

This sounds like something among our greatest mystics have struggled with: spiritual aridity. It is the sense that one’s devotional life has become dry and formulaic. St. John of the Cross called it the dark night of the senses. I understand Mother Teresa struggled with aridity for almost all of her vowed life.

The answer always given is to persist in one’s devotional duties, whether or not one perceives any benefit from them, and not to give way to acedia, that most insidious but least understood of mortal sins. For persistence, there is always a reward.

It would also be good to speak to your confessor about this matter, not because aridity is a sin at all, but more for his counsels as to what acedia is, as is germane to your state in life, how to guard against it, and what manifestations of it you ought to bring to the keys in the future.

God bless.

 

[Stephen_says]

First I would like to share with you some words by Bl. Mother Theresa:

In the darkness . . . Lord, my God, who am I that you should forsake me? The child of your love — and now become as the most hated one. The one — you have thrown away as unwanted — unloved. I call, I cling, I want, and there is no one to answer . . . Where I try to raise my thoughts to heaven, there is such convicting emptiness that those very thoughts return like sharp knives and hurt my very soul. Love — the word — it brings nothing. I am told God lives in me — and yet the reality of darkness and coldness and emptiness is so great that nothing touches my soul.

Imagine that! “For more than fifty years Mother Teresa was wrapped in a dark, pitiless silence. The more she longed for some sign of his presence, the more empty and desolate she became.” catholiceducation.org/articles/catholic_stories/cs0642.htm

I think what you’re feeling is very common; I can certainly relate in my own spiritual journey, so take courage! As for advice, I would say that our relationship with Christ is life-long, and perhaps you should look at your relationship in context of your entire life instead of certain moments. Also, I would be on guard against becoming burned-out by trying too hard. Instead of chasing after and trying to grab hold of Christ, just be near to him and let him know you love him for his own sake, not for the good feelings that you may or may not get from him. Try to offer your spiritual loneliness as a sacrifice.

Know that you will be in my prayers.

Peace

 

[pianistclare]

Faith is more than a warm fuzzy feeling. I’ve found, that when I feel kind of “bleh” that I switch my focus to what I can do to ease Christ’s suffering through easing the pain of others, and then I feel more connected, and more worthy of His love.
I would suggest volunteering and using your hands and feet as a prayer.
God bless you!

 

[Mystical_Seeker]

Do you have access to a Eucharistic Adoration chapel?

It can be quite an experience to just sit in the presence of the Body of Christ, quietly or in prayer or whatever for an hour, a half hour, ten minutes, or whatever works.

 

[Irishguy2013]

There certainly are days when I feel so alive in the Lord.
I suppose if I’m honest they are the times when I get away to have a bit of alone time with him… I try to do this at least once a month… a personal retreat kind of thing. I’m only 25 and I have a pretty senior position in a company which is quite demanding at times. I ofte come home and I can’t think about anything but sleep!

To throw another aspect into the equation. I’m currently at the end stage of my vocation discernment to the priesthood. I’m action making the initial application very soon. So this who issue really discourages me. It’s really the most thing that makes me anxious.

Is it for me? Do I need a stronger relationship with the Lord? 4/6 of me is yearning for the priesthood the the other 2 are such reservations!!

 

[pianistclare]

There certainly are days when I feel so alive in the Lord.
I suppose if I’m honest they are the times when I get away to have a bit of alone time with him… I try to do this at least once a month… a personal retreat kind of thing. I’m only 25 and I have a pretty senior position in a company which is quite demanding at times. I ofte come home and I can’t think about anything but sleep!

To throw another aspect into the equation. I’m currently at the end stage of my vocation discernment to the priesthood. I’m action making the initial application very soon. So this who issue really discourages me. It’s really the most thing that makes me anxious.

Is it for me? Do I need a stronger relationship with the Lord? 4/6 of me is yearning for the priesthood the the other 2 are such reservations!!

Well, if you’re discerning, I’d say this is normal. The prince of lies would really love you to just walk away.
Be at peace. put it in God’s hands. If it’s not meant to be, your Director will talk to you about it. Most likely it’s just nerves. God bless you! We need good and holy priests!

 

[Stephen_says]

Is it for me? Do I need a stronger relationship with the Lord? 4/6 of me is yearning for the priesthood the the other 2 are such reservations!!

Seminary is full of men who are trying to deepen their relationship with Christ. I suppose the actual population of seminarians who have a perfect spiritual life is very low. God doesn’t call perfect men, only men he can shape as a potter shapes clay, and you sound quite shapeable! I will pray for your discernment. We need good priests!

Peace

 

[WilT]

I’m wondering if anyone could please give me some advice…

I hope there are people out there who have come out the other side and can offer me advice.

Please help.

First of all Irishguy we don’t know anything about you or your spiritual journey,so we have little to go by. How long have you been an active Catholic and what kind of prayers and are you involved in your parish?