Are they Hypocrites?

[AndrewRuki]

Peace be with you Brothers and sisters.

I ask for your advice, opinions and thoughts on this question.

I used to belong to a prayer group, which consisted of about 40 active members and about 70 regular members (including the active).

During our prayer sessions, I would receive ‘words of knowledge’, visions and prophecies from the Lord. These I write down (to be more accurate, type it on to my phone) at the time I receive them. I know that I will soon forget these if I did not do so.

I was told that a few of the elders were not happy with this practice and that I should not type words down on my mobile, as this was disturbing THEM. Fine. I was told that “I must change.”. As I am one of the youngest of the elders, I obeyed.

Later, I saw the people, applauding during the Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. I have been taught that this should not be done by the very same elders. I did speak to them about it, and I was told thus: “Pray and find out why it is disturbing **YOU **and why **YOU **are troubled by it. **You **have to change.”

My question is “If something is Disturbing THEM, I must be the one to change. If Something it disturbing ME, I must be the one to change.”

Does something seems not quite right to you?

Dominus vobiscum.

 

[AussieTrish]

It’s not up to others to dictate whether or not you note what inspires you.
However digital devices can be annoying to others in certain situations, even a small notebook, inconspicuously used, might be less obvious. To others it might seem to be an expression of self-importance, which could rather off-putting, I’m afraid! I would infer that this is how you are viewed from the reactions that you receive.

They are probably misled in thinking it’s their way or the highway.
The group may not have the spiritual director that they need, and simply regard their opinions as God’s will.
This is perhaps not the right prayer group for you. You may need to consult a good priest on these things that trouble you.
Applauding the Blessed Sacrament…the Lord isn’t a performance act! Horror!

These leaders would appear to be inconsistent, as to whether they are hypocritical or just misled and opinionated?.. but I don’t see what you have described as being a truly healthy spiritual environment.

What is your own status in all this, whether your 'words of knowledge are words of knowledge in the Holy Spirit is a subjective matter, you also could be inspired, or you could be misled. I would think that all need to humbly and sincerely pray for the Spirit’s guidance.

There is always the potential some pride in expressing spiritual gifts, word of knowledge or whatever, it makes one kind of special in the group.
It could be that these folk are unreasonable/jealous,
or that you have some underlying pride that the Lord is allowing these folk to reprimand…

However, such groups as these need very wise spiritual director/s or they can go astray in various ways.

 

[MyNameIsDan]

Yes, they are being hypocrites with respect to the applause during the exposition of the blessed sacrament. They told you not to do it, yet they themselves are doing it.

Is it even allowable that people applause during the exposition?

 

[AndrewRuki]

There is always the potential some pride in expressing spiritual gifts, word of knowledge or whatever, it makes one kind of special in the group.
It could be that these folk are unreasonable/jealous,
or that you have some underlying pride that the Lord is allowing these folk to reprimand…

However, such groups as these need very wise spiritual director/s or they can go astray in various ways.

Peace be with you Brother/sister, however I an guessing Sister.

Thank you for your words. They have brought me a good deal of comfort. I would like to answer what I have quoted above. I am ONE of MANY such brothers and sisters that have received such gifts. Still, you may be right. Jealousy can thrive even in the Holiest of places.

Underlying Pride? ME? I would be a great liar if I said NO. You may be right, here, again.

Please do keep me in your prayers as I will henceforth keep you in mine.

Dominus vobiscum.

by the way; are you in Australia? I am.
A.

 

[CB_Catholic]

Peace be with you Brothers and sisters.

I ask for your advice, opinions and thoughts on this question.

I used to belong to a prayer group, which consisted of about 40 active members and about 70 regular members (including the active).

During our prayer sessions, I would receive ‘words of knowledge’, visions and prophecies from the Lord. These I write down (to be more accurate, type it on to my phone) at the time I receive them. I know that I will soon forget these if I did not do so.

I was told that a few of the elders were not happy with this practice and that I should not type words down on my mobile, as this was disturbing THEM. Fine. I was told that “I must change.”. As I am one of the youngest of the elders, I obeyed.

Later, I saw the people, applauding during the Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. I have been taught that this should not be done by the very same elders. I did speak to them about it, and I was told thus: “Pray and find out why it is disturbing **YOU **and why **YOU **are troubled by it. **You **have to change.”

My question is “If something is Disturbing THEM, I must be the one to change. If Something it disturbing ME, I must be the one to change.”

Does something seems not quite right to you?

Dominus vobiscum.

Yes. They are not monitoring their own behavior and showing humility. They have assumed too much authority in the group. Why do they call themselves “Elders?” Who gave them that title?

 

[ethereality]

Trent Horn (I think it was) explained that hypocrisy is, by definition, not believing something but acting as if they do. It comes from the Greek meaning to play-act or pretend:

1175-1225; Middle English ipocrisie < Old French < Late Latin hypocrisis < Greek hypókrisis play acting, equivalent to hypokrī́ (nesthai) to play a part, explain ( hypo- hypo- + krī́nein to distinguish, separate) + -sis -sis; h- (reintroduced in 16th century) < Latin and Greek

So they were being hypocritical only if they merely acted like they believed the behavior was wrong.

At any rate, you should discuss this with those people privately, as Jesus instructs in the Gospel.

 

[AussieTrish]

Peace be with you Brother/sister, however I an guessing Sister.

Thank you for your words. They have brought me a good deal of comfort. I would like to answer what I have quoted above. I am ONE of MANY such brothers and sisters that have received such gifts. Still, you may be right. Jealousy can thrive even in the Holiest of places.

Underlying Pride? ME? I would be a great liar if I said NO. You may be right, here, again.

Please do keep me in your prayers as I will henceforth keep you in mine.

Dominus vobiscum.

by the way; are you in Australia? I am.
A.

Yes, My home is also Australia…and your reply does you credit.
As you indicate, who of us is without pride or flaws of some kind even in our best aspirations. It’s part of being human.

Thank you for your prayers.
May God bless us both, Andrew,
May the Holy Spirit guide and bless you;
and may He guide the leaders and members of your prayer group.

 

[TheHolyTrinity]

You haven’t mentioned that members of the prayer group are aware that you receive words during prayer. If they are unaware that you receive words during prayer and that you use your phone during prayer to keep note to those words, then it would be understandable they the think you are texting or being distracted during pray time.

If you get words during prayer, ask the Lord what does this mean? Remember to test these words given to you, for they can come from another source even during prayer.