Alone in this journey?

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lufty

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Are we truly alone in our journey with God and Christ? Is it really personal, and can we ever expect any other human being to understand our personal journey?

I think I’ve come to this conclusion, as a non-cradle Christian, and I wonder if there are any non-Christian raised people out there, who are beginning to take the same steps that I am? Or are the majority of the folks entering the CC or re-entering the CC already baptized, or already part of a family or historically Christian community?

Is there some resource, or others out there, on this same path as I am? Or is it really up to me to decipher God and Christ, and my path alone? And in this exploration, am I expected to blindly leave all my family, friends, and self behind? I am finding it difficult to be the only Christian in my community, and I am new to the experience, and feel as if my life is being torn away from my body.

I will trust in God, but c’mon…am I the only Celt out there just accepting God and Christ for the first time?
 
i certainly feel like i am alone on this journey. i have no one other than my son and hes ten years old. my husband has deserted me, not our son, and i am living a life of hell. other than the kind people on this forum, i am totally alone and when my husband does leaves and takes my son every other week, i will only have my cat.
 
In every step of a person’s journey toward Christ, they are in the community of believers, they have saints in paradise praying for them, their own guardian angel, Mary loving them as her own child. No, you are not alone. But it is also a part of this fallen world of ours that we feel alone a lot. The One person who is most totally and completely one with God the Father felt alone a moment of great trial. People very often feel the most alone when having experiences common to very many people: extreme pain from illness of injury, mourning the death of a parent or child, suffering terrible injustice, desertion of a beloved spouse. You can define your experience of approaching Christ in a way that emphasizes your alone-ness (Am I the only single/married/divorced/turned-from-promiscuity/teenager/grandparent/former-drug-addict/former-nerd…) in the RCIA class right now? Or you can ask your guardian angel, your patron saint, your sponsor in RCIA, your pastor, your Bible study group members, your fellow sodalists, your friends in the St. Vincent de Paul Society, the people at the soup kitchen where you serve, all to pray for you to reach through your loneliness to find God.

If there is one thing that truly is a shared experience here in this valley of tears, it is the feeling of being alone on the journey. By the way, this feeling of loneliness is also shared by people who are not trying to turn their lives toward Christ. Drug dealers and prostitutes lead very lonely lives.

There! Does that make you feel better?
 
I’m not a Celt, but one who has, since acquiring the ability to recognize and reason, seen the faithfulness of God when I recall my life thus far. At fifty-eight years old I have been through a tough war, then alcohol and drugs, and the trying to find the “real” through a wide variety of disciplines. Alone is something I understand. Seriously, Jesus Christ IS the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
Struggle, and struggle you will, but through Him you will see the faithfulness of God. You are not alone.
 
lufty said:
Are we truly alone in our journey with God and Christ? Is it really personal, and can we ever expect any other human being to understand our personal journey?

I think I’ve come to this conclusion, as a non-cradle Christian, and I wonder if there are any non-Christian raised people out there, who are beginning to take the same steps that I am? Or are the majority of the folks entering the CC or re-entering the CC already baptized, or already part of a family or historically Christian community?

Is there some resource, or others out there, on this same path as I am? Or is it really up to me to decipher God and Christ, and my path alone? And in this exploration, am I expected to blindly leave all my family, friends, and self behind? I am finding it difficult to be the only Christian in my community, and I am new to the experience, and feel as if my life is being torn away from my body.

I will trust in God, but c’mon…am I the only Celt out there just accepting God and Christ for the first time?
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Nope, I was born and raised a heathen, and swam the Tiber a couple years ago. I still feel like I’m floundering.

I had and have those very same questions AND that very same response. I even throw fits about it now and then.

Welcome home. It’s a journey and a process.
 
lufty said:
Are we truly alone in our journey with God and Christ? Is it really personal, and can we ever expect any other human being to understand our personal journey?

I think I’ve come to this conclusion, as a non-cradle Christian, and I wonder if there are any non-Christian raised people out there, who are beginning to take the same steps that I am? Or are the majority of the folks entering the CC or re-entering the CC already baptized, or already part of a family or historically Christian community?

Is there some resource, or others out there, on this same path as I am? Or is it really up to me to decipher God and Christ, and my path alone? And in this exploration, am I expected to blindly leave all my family, friends, and self behind? I am finding it difficult to be the only Christian in my community, and I am new to the experience, and feel as if my life is being torn away from my body.

I will trust in God, but c’mon…am I the only Celt out there just accepting God and Christ for the first time?
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Welcome Home!! You are not alone in your journey of faith; you have more than one billion other Catholics to keep you company along the way! Your relationship with God, however, is a different matter; it is intensely personal and will not be expirenced in the same way by anyone else, ever; it will grow and bring you even closer to God, for the rest of your life. In order to follow Christ, you will be asked to leave, family, friends, lifestyle and old habits behind that are not compatible with Church teaching. It is a lot to ask and the decision should be made carefully, but it is more than worth it in the end.
 
You aren’t alone, but it sure can feel that way. Try reading the Psalms. David often felt intensely alone, and as was already mentioned, even Christ felt alone! When I feel lonely in my faith, I like to spend extra time praying the Rosary. It reminds me that I have a heavenly Mother who loves me. God bless!
 
lufty said:
Are we truly alone in our journey with God and Christ? Is it really personal, and can we ever expect any other human being to understand our personal journey?

I think I’ve come to this conclusion, as a non-cradle Christian, and I wonder if there are any non-Christian raised people out there, who are beginning to take the same steps that I am? Or are the majority of the folks entering the CC or re-entering the CC already baptized, or already part of a family or historically Christian community?

Is there some resource, or others out there, on this same path as I am? Or is it really up to me to decipher God and Christ, and my path alone? And in this exploration, am I expected to blindly leave all my family, friends, and self behind? I am finding it difficult to be the only Christian in my community, and I am new to the experience, and feel as if my life is being torn away from my body.

I will trust in God, but c’mon…am I the only Celt out there just accepting God and Christ for the first time?
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lufty,
You are NOT alone though your journey is very much a personal one. It sounds as if you could benefit from a spiritual director. He/she is trained to companion you on your journey of faith. Why don’t you pray about it and if you feel drawn to the idea ask your priest if he can recommend someone. Some priests and religious are trained at spiritual direction but many are not. (It is a distinct calling.) Do yourself a favor and check it out… It was one of the greatest gifts that God ever gave me but I had to be the one to say, “Yes.” May God bless you on your journey. 🙂
 
Lufty, no you are not alone. But yes, you are alone.

There are many of us on similar paths. I was a “heathen,” I’m not even baptized, have been athiest/agnostic all of my life. I think I’m also the only Christian in my community and family, and yes, it feels very lonely at times.

So, I changed my community! Find people at church, at RCIA, at various church activities. Surround yourself with faithful, practicing, committed Catholics. Find one or two people who you can call/text at odd hours and talk about doubts and problems. Reach out to people and they will support you.

You will decipher your personal path yourself. But you do it in the context of a larger community of believers.

Yes, you have to leave everything else behind…or at least, put self, family, friends, work, community in their proper place, which is well below prioirity #1, Jesus Christ. No, you don’t do this “blindly,” as you put it. Do it rationally, according to your will, and with love.

Here’s a great link conversiondiary.com/
 
GwenL said:
There are many of us on similar paths. I was a “heathen,” I’m not even baptized, have been athiest/agnostic all of my life. I think I’m also the only Christian in my community and family, and yes, it feels very lonely at times.
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Same here. And I live alone with my cat.
 
GwenL said:
Lufty, no you are not alone. But yes, you are alone.

There are many of us on similar paths. I was a “heathen,” I’m not even baptized, have been athiest/agnostic all of my life. I think I’m also the only Christian in my community and family, and yes, it feels very lonely at times.

So, I changed my community! Find people at church, at RCIA, at various church activities. Surround yourself with faithful, practicing, committed Catholics. Find one or two people who you can call/text at odd hours and talk about doubts and problems. Reach out to people and they will support you.

You will decipher your personal path yourself. But you do it in the context of a larger community of believers.

Yes, you have to leave everything else behind…or at least, put self, family, friends, work, community in their proper place, which is well below prioirity #1, Jesus Christ. No, you don’t do this “blindly,” as you put it. Do it rationally, according to your will, and with love.

Here’s a great link conversiondiary.com/
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Thank you for the advice and sharing your story/thoughts. Also, thanks for the blog link, that type of sharing and personal perspective really helps (I also like reading blogs).
I think for me, this journey has had some moments of despair, but all it takes, and I mean this seriously, is a trip to Daily Mass. Sure, I’m not filled with this love every time I attend, but I’ve found that meditation in Church, and opening my heart to God and His Son, in any little way, opens the doors to my heart, and that despair dwindles pretty fast. Reflection, and meditation seem to be an answer to me…I just need not to forget that. Walking out the Cathedral doors tonight, I could feel it, I could see myself again, and knew that this path, although lonely at times, becomes obvious that Christ and God are right there with me.
I will look into a Catholic Community to share my thoughts with. I’m sure my RCIA mentor can help out, and I am also exploring another RCIA program as well.

Thanks, and God Bless. Much appreciated everyone! You are in my prayers and have my gratitude.
 
one of the most beautiful and moving parts of RCIA for most participants is the Rite of Election (for catechumens) and the Call to Continuing Conversion (for candidates) from the bishop, when they gather together for the first time with all the other adults who are entering the Church in that diocese. Usually held at the beginning of Lent, this is for many of them the time when they realize they are not alone, they are not odd-balls, they are not the only people who have taken difficult, lonely journeys. And for many if not most of them it is the time they realize they are joining the universal Church, and how big and diverse she is. When they look around and see the sponsors, families and friends supporting them, they realize they are now part of something bigger and see the Communion of Saints in action.
 
Catholic1954 said:
Welcome Home!! You are not alone in your journey of faith; you have more than one billion other Catholics to keep you company along the way! Your relationship with God, however, is a different matter; it is intensely personal and will not be expirenced in the same way by anyone else, ever; it will grow and bring you even closer to God, for the rest of your life. In order to follow Christ, you will be asked to leave, family, friends, lifestyle and old habits behind that are not compatible with Church teaching. It is a lot to ask and the decision should be made carefully, but it is more than worth it in the end.
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Ha! Thanks for mentioning “Welcome Home!! You are not alone in your journey of faith; you have more than one billion other Catholics to keep you company along the way!” That really hits home for me! Also, yes, I am beginning to understand that this is my personal journey, and it’s unique, as I am as well. The battles will be unique, and unfortunately(and fortunately) my opponent(my non-Christian “angry Celtic kid” inside) knows me pretty well, but I know him too, and I bet God and His Son knows the “both” of us much better! I actually think I’m getting some tips from the Father on ways I can overcome these thoughts of despair, in a rational, and conscious personal way.

Thank you for your thoughts!
 
puzzleannie said:
one of the most beautiful and moving parts of RCIA for most participants is the Rite of Election (for catechumens) and the Call to Continuing Conversion (for candidates) from the bishop, when they gather together for the first time with all the other adults who are entering the Church in that diocese. Usually held at the beginning of Lent, this is for many of them the time when they realize they are not alone, they are not odd-balls, they are not the only people who have taken difficult, lonely journeys. And for many if not most of them it is the time they realize they are joining the universal Church, and how big and diverse she is. When they look around and see the sponsors, families and friends supporting them, they realize they are now part of something bigger and see the Communion of Saints in action.
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Thank you Puzzleannie. My heart is aching for that experience, but I am willing and doing my best to be patient, and allow myself time to be introspective about my choice, and path. I have a meeting in just over a week with my RCIA rep, and these feelings, and all of your support will be there to assist me.

Thank you all so much. From the bottom of my (new) heart!

Lufty aka Enoch
 
forgot to say Welcome Home to all
The only think I would like to add is that while you come to realize you are not alone but part of a larger group, each on the journey, remember that each person is travelling with you, but you are also travelling alone, in the sense that each of you started from a different point, experienced different challenges and roadblocks on the way, and are carrying different baggage. Some have a much longer journey, with many detours, while others have a shorter smoother path. That is another benefit of getting to know the saints, because they all attained holiness in their own way, but all through the merits of Jesus Christ. Do not compare yourself except in the broadest sense of solidarity, with anyone else on the journey, because you don’t know their story, and they don’t know yours, except to the extent you are able to share during your preparation together. Our priest reminded us today in his homily, and it came out again when we gathered to reflect on the story of the Magi, that not only are we all on the same journey, but we would not be seeking Christ if he had not already called us. So in a sense seeking him means we have already found him.
 
Of course you’re not alone, even the bible it’s self tells us this!

drbo.org/cgi-bin/d?b=drb&bk=65&ch=12&l=1&f=s#x
1 And therefore we also having so great a cloud of witnesses over our head, laying aside every weight and sin which surrounds us, let us run by patience to the fight proposed to us:
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There isn’t just a spiritual cloud though, you’ve got Catholics all over the place including right here to support you. Don’t shy away from talking to your RCIA sponsor, instructors and fellow classmates.
 
Lufty, thanks for sharing YOUR story. I also go to daily Mass every chance I get. I’m going to a 3-day retreat over MLK weekend. I’m going to our diocese’s conference, with small group workshops, next week. We are adults in RCIA, after all, and its up to us to reach out and not wait for someone to come babysit us through the learning and spiritual growth process. (I am not implying that you fit in this category, but some people posting here seem a little lacking in initative about the most important thing ever in their lives)

I’m also starting to realize that all of those “coincidences” and “little favors” and instances of “good luck” I see every day are, in actuality, my prayers being answered. This is helping to strengthen my faith daily.

A few more blogs that I check out every day:

wdtprs.com/blog/
hancaquam.blogspot.com/
splendoroftruth.com/curtjester/index.html
americanpapist.com/blog.html

And a few informational sites:
newadvent.org/
fisheaters.com/
therealpresence.org/index.html
beginningcatholic.com/
 
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