Bad thoughts and the Eucharist

[Worlds]

Today at mass, before the consecration of the Eucharist, I was having bad thoughts about Jesus. They were intrusive thoughts, but I may have sort of welcomed the thoughts by mulling them over. I knew that the thoughts were bad though, and tried to dismiss them and ask for forgiveness. Anyway, the thoughts made me forget who Jesus was:God made into flesh. I don’t know how to describe it, but I think I felt sort of hesitant to receive communion, because those thoughts tricked me into seeing Jesus as something other than who He truly is. Well, I tried to ask for forgiveness for having such thoughts, but the thoughts still somewhat blinded me. I received the Eucharist, but I’m afraid I shouldn’t have. I know He forgives venial sins through the Eucharist, but I don’t know if my sins were forgiven in this instance. I wanted to ask God to help me to see Jesus as he truly is, but the line for Communion was going by so quickly. Should I have done something different? Did I receive Jesus through the Eucharist, or is His spirit not with me because of these thoughts? I suppose I should mention that I have had intrusive thoughts many times before. Your help is much appreciated! Thanks and may The Lord bless you!

 

[edward_george]

Today at mass, before the consecration of the Eucharist, I was having bad thoughts about Jesus. They were intrusive thoughts, but I may have sort of welcomed the thoughts by mulling them over. I knew that the thoughts were bad though, and tried to dismiss them and ask for forgiveness. Anyway, the thoughts made me forget who Jesus was:God made into flesh. I don’t know how to describe it, but I think I felt sort of hesitant to receive communion, because those thoughts tricked me into seeing Jesus as something other than who He truly is. Well, I tried to ask for forgiveness for having such thoughts, but the thoughts still somewhat blinded me. I received the Eucharist, but I’m afraid I shouldn’t have. I know He forgives venial sins through the Eucharist, but I don’t know if my sins were forgiven in this instance. I wanted to ask God to help me to see Jesus as he truly is, but the line for Communion was going by so quickly. Should I have done something different? Did I receive Jesus through the Eucharist, or is His spirit not with me because of these thoughts? I suppose I should mention that I have had intrusive thoughts many times before. Your help is much appreciated! Thanks and may The Lord bless you!

Be at peace, thoughts are just that, thoughts. Dwelling on them and worrying about them could only lead you to sin. Just keep in mind that you are about to encounter the Lord in the Eucharist, and offer your communion for the quieting of those thoughts and for peace of your soul. Intrusive thoughts aren’t sins–we can’t control when they come along. Furthermore, how could you possibly have not received Jesus? The Eucharist is the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Our Lord no matter what our disposition is. And your disposition, from what you have said, was not such that you shouldn’t have received. Again, know the Lord’s peace and his great love and mercy for us, and focus on that, rather than on the intrusive thoughts.

-ACEGC

 

[Worlds]

Be at peace, thoughts are just that, thoughts. Dwelling on them and worrying about them could only lead you to sin. Just keep in mind that you are about to encounter the Lord in the Eucharist, and offer your communion for the quieting of those thoughts and for peace of your soul. Intrusive thoughts aren’t sins–we can’t control when they come along. Furthermore, how could you possibly have not received Jesus? The Eucharist is the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Our Lord no matter what our disposition is. And your disposition, from what you have said, was not such that you shouldn’t have received. Again, know the Lord’s peace and his great love and mercy for us, and focus on that, rather than on the intrusive thoughts.

-ACEGC

Thank you so much for your reply. I suppose I thought that His Spirit would have left the host when I consumed it. I have to admit, these thoughts have troubled me greatly. Your answer helps me so much. I’m sincerely thankful!

 

[ClearWater]

Today at mass, before the consecration of the Eucharist, I was having bad thoughts about Jesus. They were intrusive thoughts, but I may have sort of welcomed the thoughts by mulling them over. I knew that the thoughts were bad though, and tried to dismiss them and ask for forgiveness. Anyway, the thoughts made me forget who Jesus was:God made into flesh. I don’t know how to describe it, but I think I felt sort of hesitant to receive communion, because those thoughts tricked me into seeing Jesus as something other than who He truly is. Well, I tried to ask for forgiveness for having such thoughts, but the thoughts still somewhat blinded me. I received the Eucharist, but I’m afraid I shouldn’t have. I know He forgives venial sins through the Eucharist, but I don’t know if my sins were forgiven in this instance. I wanted to ask God to help me to see Jesus as he truly is, but the line for Communion was going by so quickly. Should I have done something different? Did I receive Jesus through the Eucharist, or is His spirit not with me because of these thoughts? I suppose I should mention that I have had intrusive thoughts many times before. Your help is much appreciated! Thanks and may The Lord bless you!

At times, we can have thoughts that cross our mind which are unwelcome. Many of us can manage to try to ignore them, and they will generally go away. However, for others, they have something stronger.

Some people have obsessive-compulsive disorder, or its cousin, scrupulosity, can struggle with these thoughts, find them quite upsetting.

Often, with these people, the more they resist these impulses, the worse it can make them. If it is something related to this, one can seek counsel from a professional as to whether this is something to be concerned about or not, and if it is, how to proceed.

In the meantime, I’d recommend trying to ignore these thoughts, because resisting them can actually make them stronger. However, if they are as disturbing as they seem to be to you, I’d encourage you to consider speaking to a professional counselor about this matter. If it’s nothing, to reassure yourself. If it’s something, so that steps can be taken to nip this in the bud.

Good luck and God bless with whatever you decide to do!

 

[littlestsouls2]

God knows our misery and He has great compassion on us, ‘for he knoweth our frame. He remembereth that we are dust.’ (Ps. 103:114)

St. Bridget of Sweden was once harassed by temptations in prayer. Our Lady comforted her with these words: “Even if thou art not able to cast out the base and evil thoughts that come into thy mind, yet for those endeavours thon shalt receive a crown in heaven…” On another occasion, Our Lord told her that she “… must know, for certain, that evil thoughts, which the mind resists and detests, are the purification and crown of the soul. If thou art unable to avoid them,” He said, “bear it patiently, and let thy will strive against them… You will not be condemned because of their entering your head, unless you take pleasure in them, since it is not within your power to prevent them.”

How do we strive against evil thoughts? This is what Gerson says: “The temptation to blasphemy, like all other evil thoughts, is more readily overcome by despising it, by not reflecting upon it, and turning the mind to other things, than by combating it, using effort to resist, and arguing with the suggestion.”

Through the voice of His Church, God assures us that the best way to resist evil thoughts is to turn our minds calmly to something else. If we are obedient to the voice of the Church, we will soon find peace, and no sin will be imputed to us. To seek greater security than this is bound to bring trouble; it is to strain human nature, expose us to greater temptations, and deprive us of God’s light and peace, which are given in abundance only to the humble of heart.

When obtrusive thoughts come, I find it very helpful to speak familiarly with Our Lord and Our Lady. “You know that I do not want these thoughts. My will is not in them. I will not wrong You by doubting the advice that Your Church gives me for overcoming these temptations. Instead, I will cast my cares upon You, trusting in your infinite goodness. Please take care of me. I love You.” etc.

 

[therese14]

Sacrament of Confession helps.

 

[Monica4316]

It depends if you consent or not… Thoughts only become choices if you consent and that would be choosing sin. If you reject them you are resisting temptation… If you dwell on them that could be a sin but if you don’t consent the whole time its more venial if you dwell on them? I would speak to a good priest in Confession about this God bless you!

 

[Worlds]

At times, we can have thoughts that cross our mind which are unwelcome. Many of us can manage to try to ignore them, and they will generally go away. However, for others, they have something stronger.

Some people have obsessive-compulsive disorder, or its cousin, scrupulosity, can struggle with these thoughts, find them quite upsetting.

Often, with these people, the more they resist these impulses, the worse it can make them. If it is something related to this, one can seek counsel from a professional as to whether this is something to be concerned about or not, and if it is, how to proceed.

In the meantime, I’d recommend trying to ignore these thoughts, because resisting them can actually make them stronger. However, if they are as disturbing as they seem to be to you, I’d encourage you to consider speaking to a professional counselor about this matter. If it’s nothing, to reassure yourself. If it’s something, so that steps can be taken to nip this in the bud.

Good luck and God bless with whatever you decide to do!

Thank you so much. I’ve concluded that I have OCD, because I’ve learned that I have exhibited other symptoms of the disorder, besides the ones I mentioned in my post. I think you’re right that I should talk to someone about this. Thanks so much for your help and God bless you!

 

[Worlds]

God knows our misery and He has great compassion on us, ‘for he knoweth our frame. He remembereth that we are dust.’ (Ps. 103:114)

St. Bridget of Sweden was once harassed by temptations in prayer. Our Lady comforted her with these words: “Even if thou art not able to cast out the base and evil thoughts that come into thy mind, yet for those endeavours thon shalt receive a crown in heaven…” On another occasion, Our Lord told her that she “… must know, for certain, that evil thoughts, which the mind resists and detests, are the purification and crown of the soul. If thou art unable to avoid them,” He said, “bear it patiently, and let thy will strive against them… You will not be condemned because of their entering your head, unless you take pleasure in them, since it is not within your power to prevent them.”

How do we strive against evil thoughts? This is what Gerson says: “The temptation to blasphemy, like all other evil thoughts, is more readily overcome by despising it, by not reflecting upon it, and turning the mind to other things, than by combating it, using effort to resist, and arguing with the suggestion.”

Through the voice of His Church, God assures us that the best way to resist evil thoughts is to turn our minds calmly to something else. If we are obedient to the voice of the Church, we will soon find peace, and no sin will be imputed to us. To seek greater security than this is bound to bring trouble; it is to strain human nature, expose us to greater temptations, and deprive us of God’s light and peace, which are given in abundance only to the humble of heart.

When obtrusive thoughts come, I find it very helpful to speak familiarly with Our Lord and Our Lady. “You know that I do not want these thoughts. My will is not in them. I will not wrong You by doubting the advice that Your Church gives me for overcoming these temptations. Instead, I will cast my cares upon You, trusting in your infinite goodness. Please take care of me. I love You.” etc.

Thanks so much, this all helps so much! God bless you!

 

[Worlds]

It depends if you consent or not… Thoughts only become choices if you consent and that would be choosing sin. If you reject them you are resisting temptation… If you dwell on them that could be a sin but if you don’t consent the whole time its more venial if you dwell on them? I would speak to a good priest in Confession about this God bless you!

I was planning on going to confession soon anyway, so maybe the priest can help me with this. Thanks, and God bless!