Are you a Spirit-filled Catholic?

[betra2000]

I love that feeling. I have fallen away for awhile, but just recently came back to church and am feeling the "spirit-filled’ excitement that I used to.

 

[Nicholas82]

I love that feeling. I have fallen away for awhile, but just recently came back to church and am feeling the "spirit-filled’ excitement that I used to.

See, that people see to equate excitement to being filled with the Holy Spirit is wrong and can lead to spiritual dilusion or despondency. Some people are just very excitable and outgoing. If you base your understanding of your spiritual state on simple feelings of excitement or joy, which may fade or pass, then what will your conclusion be if one day you show up to Church and don’t feel that?

 

[grandfather]

See, that people see to equate excitement to being filled with the Holy Spirit is wrong and can lead to spiritual dilusion or despondency. Some people are just very excitable and outgoing. If you base your understanding of your spiritual state on simple feelings of excitement or joy, which may fade or pass, then what will your conclusion be if one day you show up to Church and don’t feel that?

Feelings are not bad things. God made us with emotions. Joy is a gift of the Holy Spirit according to Saint Paul. But feelings are not the means by which we know spiritual truths. We do not feel them and in our language today the word feel has replaced the woprd think. How do you feel about such and such? What happened to what do you think? We are not guided by feelings, but many people today try to be. If being spirit filled is defined or determined by having warm tingly feelings or getting excited that seems pretty shallow.

You can feel love, but love is not a feeling.

 

[whatevergirl]

I believe that spirit filled is not so much about feelings, but more about the willingness to move out of God’s way, and unite one’s will with His. And being joyous and at peace in knowing that God is in control–and exuding that joy and peace for others to learn from. Grandfather, you mentioned witnessing. In some ways, I feel that if we are joyously witnessing to others, and gently admonishing sinners in our midst because we love them, as Christ calls us to do–we are living a spirit filled life.

Just my thoughts.

 

[JimR-OCDS]

The movement of the Holy Spirit within us, evokes feelings of joy and happiness. They’re not from our own doing, by that of the Holy Spirit.

Although everyone who is Baptized, receives the Holy Spirit, not all respond to the call of faith, and as a result, have not experienced the manifestation of the Holy Spirit within.

I feel sad for those who have not experienced it.

Jim

 

[SORROWS]

The movement of the Holy Spirit within us, evokes feelings of joy and happiness. They’re not from our own doing, by that of the Holy Spirit.

Although everyone who is Baptized, receives the Holy Spirit, not all respond to the call of faith, and as a result, have not experienced the manifestation of the Holy Spirit within.

I feel sad for those who have not experienced it.

Jim

Perfect response.
If the question is being asked to me personally, the answer is Yes!! I am a spirit filled Catholic.

Regarding “Born Again” I don’t understand that as I am born only once but always am a child of Christ.

 

[JimR-OCDS]

Perfect response.
If the question is being asked to me personally, the answer is Yes!! I am a spirit filled Catholic.

Regarding “Born Again” I don’t understand that as I am born only once but always am a child of Christ.

Born again is essentially the same thing. Once a person responds to faith, his life is transformed through grace, into a new life in Christ.

It doesn’t matter that he was Baptized before. The fact that he did not accept faith, and for many of us, we rejected the faith of our Baptism, prevents us from living a life in Christ. Our rejection and sinful life moves us further and further away from Christ.

Once a soul responds to the call of faith, and tastes the wounds of love given by Christ, he dies to the old sinful life and begins a new life in Christ. This transformation is profound and I have experience the transformation in myself, and have seen it in others.

Jim

 

[grandfather]

I believe that spirit filled is not so much about feelings, but more about the willingness to move out of God’s way, and unite one’s will with His. And being joyous and at peace in knowing that God is in control–and exuding that joy and peace for others to learn from. Grandfather, you mentioned witnessing. In some ways, I feel that if we are joyously witnessing to others, and gently admonishing sinners in our midst because we love them, as Christ calls us to do–we are living a spirit filled life.

Just my thoughts.

Jesus asked Peter a question three times. “Do you love me”?

This is the most important question for a Catholic to ask himself or herself. John writes that, “The love of God consists in this, that we keep His commandments”. Love and obedience are tied.

Jesus says the kingdom of heaven is within us. It is within our souls that we find God.

Jesus did not ask Peter if he was “spirit filled”. Do you love God?
Don’t get side tracked. What is the condition of your or my soul right now? Nothing else matters. Do you love God? Don’t worry about what you feel. Feelings are good, but they do not matter.

The holiest souls go through the darkest nights and they don’t feel all bubbly and happy. They have heavy crosses. I receive many spiritual consolations. That is because I am weak in faith and I need them. Faith is persevering when things are hard. That is when we increase in faith and grow in the spiritual life.

The people who look for spiritual highs are immature. If that is what God wants to give you receive it. If you are in dryness receive that. It does not amtter as long as you love God and remain faithful.

 

[JimR-OCDS]

grandfather;

The holiest souls go through the darkest nights and they don’t feel all bubbly and happy. They have heavy crosses. I receive many spiritual consolations.

They have joy despite the crosses they carry. St. Francis of Asssis, sang of his joy, out in the streets. St. Theresa the Little Flower, had joy and saw the beauty of God in all people and things. Only spirit filled people can experience these things.

The people who look for spiritual highs are immature.

If thats what they look for, rather than the God, then yes, they are immature. That doesn’t mean God doesn’t give them consolations which brings them much joy.

If that is what God wants to give you receive it. If you are in dryness receive that. It does not amtter as long as you love God and remain faithful.

True, but lets not begrudge those who receive consolations and joys from God, by telling them that what they’ve experienced is spiritually flawed.

Jim

 

[whatevergirl]

Jesus asked Peter a question three times. “Do you love me”?

This is the most important question for a Catholic to ask himself or herself. John writes that, “The love of God consists in this, that we keep His commandments”. Love and obedience are tied.

Jesus says the kingdom of heaven is within us. It is within our souls that we find God.

Jesus did not ask Peter if he was “spirit filled”. Do you love God?
Don’t get side tracked. What is the condition of your or my soul right now? Nothing else matters. Do you love God? Don’t worry about what you feel. Feelings are good, but they do not matter.

The holiest souls go through the darkest nights and they don’t feel all bubbly and happy. They have heavy crosses. I receive many spiritual consolations. That is because I am weak in faith and I need them. Faith is persevering when things are hard. That is when we increase in faith and grow in the spiritual life.

The people who look for spiritual highs are immature. If that is what God wants to give you receive it. If you are in dryness receive that. It does not amtter as long as you love God and remain faithful.

I don’t know why you keep challenging me on my posts. I know my relationship with God, and I try to be a good Christian, following God’s laws, loving His Son, and trying to serve Him and others as best as I can. I am not looking for your approval of my posts, grandfather, to be honest, and not sure why you continue to respond to my posts, as though you feel I need correcting or something.

 

[grandfather]

grandfather;

They have joy despite the crosses they carry. St. Francis of Asssis, sang of his joy, out in the streets. St. Theresa the Little Flower, had joy and saw the beauty of God in all people and things. Only spirit filled people can experience these things.

Have you read the recent book containing Mother Teresa’s correspondence? Do you know about the desperate bleak darkness Saint Therese went through in her last days?

Did Saint Francis ever refer to himself or anyone else as “spirit filled”, or Therese, or any of the saints"?

Is there a difference between a person who is “spirit filled” and a person who is holy?

If thats what they look for, rather than the God, then yes, they are immature. That doesn’t mean God doesn’t give them consolations which brings them much joy.

We should seekthe giver of gifts. “Seek ye first…”

True, but lets not begrudge those who receive consolations and joys from God, by telling them that what they’ve experienced is spiritually flawed.

Consolations are indeed gifts from God. They can not be flawed. They are not means by which to measure the state of a soul.

 

[grandfather]

I don’t know why you keep challenging me on my posts. I know my relationship with God, and I try to be a good Christian, following God’s laws, loving His Son, and trying to serve Him and others as best as I can. I am not looking for your approval of my posts, grandfather, to be honest, and not sure why you continue to respond to my posts, as though you feel I need correcting or something.

Sorry. I thought it was a discussion. Will not respond further.

 

[distracted]

If you are Catholic what being born again means, or being born from above, is being baptized. That is what the early Fathjers taught and what the Church has believed for 2,000 years.

When two separate religious cultures live in the same place they rub off on one another. Catholicsm gets Protestantized. So on another thread some Catholic said that it is more important to be a Christian first and then a Catholic. Good grief! Tell it to the saints.

Protestants concocted very recently, probably less than a century ago the notion that some religious experience meant being born again and signified that you are saved. Are you saved. So and so got saved. This is nonsense.

.

i agree… to a point… But what i went through when young… was very… empowering and very real… There IS a difference between those who are filled with the Holy S and those who are not… I ought to know becasuse i have been both… I am not saying that the experience made me “saved” forever (and definitely not saved without Purgation needed)… I am just saying that it makes you different…

 

[distracted]

Sounds like the sin of pride and a form of spiritual delusion. That’s just from what this sinner has been taught.

i should have known someone would accuse me of that…

No comment…

 

[distracted]

I As a baby, when most Catholics, unless converts to the faith, or baptized later in life, it’s hard to feel anything, because we don’t have the knowledge as infants to understand our faith. m.

i don’t totally agree. i believe infants are more open, in many ways, than adults, to the Holy Spirit, which, as you know, is everywhere in the Church in which the baptism takes place… The Holy spirit is there in the people … but most importantly, The Real Presence of Christ is There in the Church (in a tangible way that He is not available elsewhere) & i believe children are more receptive to that Presence than adults are…

unless, maybe, the adults are “fanatical” about Jesus… and about his Presence…

 

[distracted]

I must admit that at times I am somewhat envious of folks like you.

I’ve had life changing spiritual moments, but didn’t recognise them for years or decades.

it was an interesting experience…(to say the least). I was just hurting, emotionally, and knew, instinctively, that no one (human) i could talk to would understand… So, having no one to turn to, i turned to God… didn’t even say a prayer, just thought of Him… & i was suddenly so filled with the Holy Spirit that thought i would faint if i didn’t… stop it somewhat… (Words are inadquate…)…

I was outdoors when this happened…alone… wasn’t even thinking about Church, really, except… hmm Now that i remember… i HAD remembered, while in the aforementioned pain, the priest saying, at Mass one time something about how God loves us unconditionally… That ws what made me turn to Him in that moment… So… again, the Catholic Church is responsible for this experience… . Too bad i wasn’t catechized… Later i fell away from Church attendance… (didn’t even know it was a sin to miss Mass on sunday… )… At first, after this experinec, i was madly in love iwth Jesus… for a couple yrs… but eventually, had “problems” and fell away and fell & fell (i was young and ignorant)… but then… one day Jesus found me again… and again, it ws through something “Catholic” …

i became again, and this time for keeps, a true Christian…that Catholic thing was the rosary.

 

[distracted]

No offense, but realize what you personally believe, say, feel, think sounds very Protestant, just about word for word. All Christians, Protestant and Catholic saw baptism as being born anew that Jesus spoke of until pretty recently. The terminology you use, personal relationship, personal experience as a criteria for being born again is nowhere to be found in scripture. It is all a modern concoction that the Christians of all ages somehow missed. Were they not saved? Did they not have the spirit? Did they lack the feelings that get people saved today, or the personal experience?

A Catholic’s “personal relationships” with Christ is being with Him in the Real Presence, preferably for more than an hour at least 3 timess a week… antyhing less than that is not enough… because the world is worse now than it ever has been… The devil has come down hard on us because he knows his days are numbered… We have to have the power that only Jesus can give and frankly, those who do not spend time with Him There do not have as much power or sanctification as they need to have… Jesus said it was hard to get into Heaven… that few make it… I think the reason is that people don’t spend time with the only One who can help…
There are never very many people at the Blessed S when i am There…

 

[distracted]

I have searched scripture and can not find the terminology, a requirement, or any reference to having a personal relationship with Christ as having anything to do with salvation, nor is it findable in scripture at all, anywhere. Some Protestants who insist that all doctrine come from scripture concocted this nonsense and it is nowhere in scripture.

But Catholics don’t find everything in Scripture either… The Real Presence is in Scripture, but definitely not explicitly… Being with Jesus in the Real P is the Catholic “version” of personal relationship with Christ… and far, far, superior to their version… (Prot)… Jesus is far more than the Protestants believe He is… and they have to go through far more than they believe they have to go through in order ot make it ot Heaven…

What is in scripture is that Jesus says in order to have life within us we must eat His body and drink His blood. Catholics do that, and although it is not found in scripture I would say that is pretty personal as far as relationships go.

NOT in Scripture??? What are you talking about?? Waht abvout St. John 6:27-54???

The term spirit filled is another new notion that I think comes from the Charismatic movement. It seems to be used to conote some special gifts these people think they have that others lack, those of us who are not spirit filled I guess. Are you spirit filled? Its kind of like Protestants asking if you are saved.

well, whatever you say… but i know i have been through something supernatural… and you can’t take away from it by your words… Nothing can take away from that experience… I am very thanhkful to God for it…

They get wound up about seeking spiritual gifts. Maybe I am an old grouch. I don’t want to get in a clamor or worked up in a public prayer session. I like being quiet.

so do i… As stated in another post… i was in a very quiet place (outdoors by myself) when this happend… No altar call, etc… just turned to God and it happened. I didn’t ask for it to happen, had never heard of “born again” or “saved”… i was young & only Church i’d been to was Catholic…

Living the Christian life is really pretty simple. All we have to do is love one another and love is above all the other manifestations or gifts of the Holy Spirit. It is the greatest gift of all. If you do that you please God and have His Spirit within you.

Saint Paul is very clear about it. All the other gifts are useless without love. We are empty gongs without love. If you have love you have all you need.

Define love…

Human love is no love at all… I have no human love in my life, to speak of… (and/or i just can’t FEEL it…) yet i am happy because i know Jesus loves me just as i am (He hates my sin but not me)… He doesn’t care if i am old or fat or half-nuts… He understands and only gets after my sins… and even then, with great love/empathy… He knows what it’s like to be human… the victim of the devil…

 

[distracted]

hi distracted, I feel that I have been “born again”, by making an act of faith in what Christ did for me in saving me. To be baptised is itself not enough, we need to have faith in what baptism confers. I think that this act of faith fully brings into effect our baptismal graces and can be called a baptism in the Holy Spirit. Here is what Paul Haffer, a well respected theologian, says about it:

God bless,

Nick

thanks… i think what i went through was … how do i say it? well, it was an exaggeration (?) of what you say here… although that doesn’t sound right either… Anyway, i am concerned for other believers because it could be that if so few have actually gone through this… that maybe something is lacking in their commitment to Christ… I mean, maybe not to the point of being in danger of Hell… but, well, Purgatory is in this life AND in the next - for those who choose Christ… I am thinking that being filled with God’s Holy Spirit is just what happens in purgatory… so we should try to go through that here, as God has shown (to saints) is what he prefers… To wait to do one’s Purgation in the next life is not a good thing… because the purgatorial fires are rigorous… (again, according to the saints, many of whom were visited by souls in Purgatory). I just found out that the souls in Purgatory are at the Tabernacle, in the Real Presence, with Christ… which is probably why i feel i am in Purgatory when i am There… Have you ever spent a lot of time There?

 

[whatevergirl]

Sorry. I thought it was a discussion. Will not respond further.

Yes–it’s a discussion–but I became confused when it appeared that you were trying to correct me…no worries. I think we can all learn something from one another.