Bible question

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cosmocos

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Good Evening!

I am trying to re-connect with my faith. I have not been in Mass in over 3 years. I can feel my faith leaving and it makes me so sad. I love God. I love my faith in God. Why the sudden change? Why, at 32, have I been questioning my faith? I do not feel His love. I really do not feel close to Him like I once did. So, I need to go back to the roots of my faith. I started reading Books from the Bible. I was wondering-what Books would be good for me to read so I can start the process of re-connecting?? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you so much!
Erica

I did post a post about this but I have no idea where it went so if find another one from me-I am sorry I am new!!:D:D
 
How about a particular verse…

Try reading and reflecting Luke 15:11-24 (The Parable of the Prodigal Son). Contemplate on the scene and take the place of the prodigal son. Meditate on the love shown by the father.

Then go to confession.

30 minutes before Mass go to adoration.

Then look for a spiritual director. 🙂
 
As Hebrews 11: vs 1 says:’ Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen". So the question is, "What do you hope for? and I hope the answer is eternal salvation and heaven… God is always with us, and has not abandoned you. To know God is to read his words. I would suggest you read 1 Psalm a day and meditate on 1 verse that really calls to you (anywhere in the Bible). I also think Hebrews 4, vs. 12-16 is a helpful scripture, and the book of Romans is also a good place to start. If you have trouble with understanding what you are reading, check out Biblegateway.com for other translations.
Peace and good luck
YSIC
BP
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in all circumstances give thanks.
1 thess 5: 16-18
 
cosmocos said:
Good Evening!

I am trying to re-connect with my faith. I have not been in Mass in over 3 years. I can feel my faith leaving and it makes me so sad. I love God. I love my faith in God. Why the sudden change? Why, at 32, have I been questioning my faith? I do not feel His love. I really do not feel close to Him like I once did. So, I need to go back to the roots of my faith. I started reading Books from the Bible. I was wondering-what Books would be good for me to read so I can start the process of re-connecting?? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you so much!
Erica

I did post a post about this but I have no idea where it went so if find another one from me-I am sorry I am new!!:D:D
Click to expand...
I really like 1 Corinthians 13 in accordance with all the Scripture defining the Greatest Commandments.

As you learn to perfect patience and kindness, especially in the face of impatience and meanness, recognize that you will actively be caring the Cross to help restore and heighten the levels of peace and happiness in our society, which is such a beautiful and humble act, which is favored upon highly by our Lord!
 
one suggestion: find out exactly what you are doubting. the athority of the church? the existance of God? if Jesus was God? when you find a question, don’t let it plant doubt in you. look for an answer. there almost always is one.
 
and also, PRAY PRAY PRAY. don’t base your prayers on feelings. pray even when you dont want to. and if your a reader, maybe “story of a soul” by st. therese
 
I found my self in some what similar shoes not all that long ago, and I was living my faith more from a reason stand point. Not that I left the faith or was absent while practicing it but often the heart and the mind would not connect. Then I went on a Cursillo retreat…call your diocese and see if you can get your self into one…I guarantee you will come out with what you seek.

De Colores!
 
cosmocos said:
Good Evening!

I am trying to re-connect with my faith. I have not been in Mass in over 3 years. I can feel my faith leaving and it makes me so sad. I love God. I love my faith in God. Why the sudden change? Why, at 32, have I been questioning my faith? I do not feel His love. I really do not feel close to Him like I once did. So, I need to go back to the roots of my faith. I started reading Books from the Bible. I was wondering-what Books would be good for me to read so I can start the process of re-connecting?? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you so much!
Erica

I did post a post about this but I have no idea where it went so if find another one from me-I am sorry I am new!!:D:D
Click to expand...
I would agree with Frank about the Cursillo(Cur-see-oh). Or some type of religious group experience which would take a few days, or a weekend.

Now I want to recommend to you the Miraculous Medal. Because Mary promised GREAT graces to those who wore it trusting her to keep her word. To be the most effective, absolute trust in her help is paramount. If that is weak then it will do only as much good as the degree of trust placed in her.

Here is something else about grace. It isn’t for the most part every felt, seen, or experienced.
But it is real because a person will fall into sin without it. It is the power of God to resist sin or to perform some good act. If not there a person will fail. Mary said that many graces are not given because they are not asked for. She said that she would give GREAT graces to those who had confidence in her help, strong trust, and would be there for them. She also asked that everyone in the world wear it. It places us under her protective mantal and entitles us to her prayers and intercession. What a great gift from her to all of us including our protestant brethern. She means what she says and will be there if we only accept her word and help. I’m confident that if you wear Mary’s medal she will take you by the hand and lead you back to her Son. I would recommend that you read the life of Catherine Laboure thru whom Mary gave us her this medal of her love.

I can vouch for the medal from my own experience. I’ve worn one since catholic grade school and have always had it on my entire life except for brief periods of repair. I can honestly say that when I look around at others and there problems with the faith, I’m dumbfounded that I have been spared their problems. I’m even mistified how I’ve been spared some many other evils that I see people go thru.
I can only attribute that to our blessed mother Mary’s protection thru the Miraculous Medal. I don’t know of any other reason as I look back.

I honestly believe with every fiber of my being, that those who wear this medal with great trust in her and request her help with never be dissapointed.

Just a thought from our mother Mary to all of her children.
 
cosmocos said:
Good Evening!

I am trying to re-connect with my faith. I have not been in Mass in over 3 years. I can feel my faith leaving and it makes me so sad. I love God. I love my faith in God. Why the sudden change? Why, at 32, have I been questioning my faith? I do not feel His love. I really do not feel close to Him like I once did.
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Asking why, after three years away from mass, you don’t feel the grace of God’s love as strongly any more… is a bit like saying “I haven’t said a word to my wife in two years, and I’m starting to wonder if she loves me any more”… She might, but you’re not there to receive that love. No wonder you’re having doubts!

If you want to feel God’s presence, you have to put yourself in the presence of God!
So, I need to go back to the roots of my faith. I started reading Books from the Bible.
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The root of your faith is the Mass. I suggest you start there!
 
The book of Isiah might relate to what you are looking for. A lot of it describes how the Israelites abandoned God, but “Come now, let us set things right, says the Lord.” (Is 1:18). Even though it talks about the Israelites straying away, for me it’s very easy to read these passages as speaking of how I have strayed from God.

And as others have said, we all need the Graces we receive from the sacraments.
 
Even some of our great Saints had a “dark night of the soul”. I think the secret is to persevere in your prayers, attend Adoration, and make it to Mass as often as possible.

Go to Confession and perhaps even meet with a priest to discuss your trials.

God Bless
 
Thank you everyone!!
I have a lot of reading to do. I am on my way. Again-thank you so much for all of your help!
Erica 🙂
 
cosmocos said:
Good Evening!

I am trying to re-connect with my faith. I have not been in Mass in over 3 years. I can feel my faith leaving and it makes me so sad. I love God. I love my faith in God. Why the sudden change? Why, at 32, have I been questioning my faith? I do not feel His love. I really do not feel close to Him like I once did. So, I need to go back to the roots of my faith. I started reading Books from the Bible. I was wondering-what Books would be good for me to read so I can start the process of re-connecting?? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you so much!
Erica

I did post a post about this but I have no idea where it went so if find another one from me-I am sorry I am new!!:D:D
Click to expand...
Hi Erica and welcome,

First thing is first— you must go to confession and start going to Mass again every Sunday. You can read many books to help with your faith, but it is in the Sacraments where you will receive the real “meat and potatoes” of God’s grace. It is by God’s grace we are saved through our faith, so believe me, I’m not ignoring the matter of faith. But sometimes, even though we don’t feel anything at all, we have to be obedient to what God has told us to do. So, I recommend you start by reconciling to God through the Sacrament of Reconciliation and then go to the Mass. What a wonderful time to be thinking about this— this Wednesday is Ash Wednesday and it is the beginning of Lent! Since you have been gone for three years, I would say to you that you should not receive the Eucharist until you have confessed. I would recommend making an appointment with the priest so that you don’t feel pressed for time if a line is waiting while you confess. But however you want to do it is fine.

Something else you can do is go pray before the Blessed Sacrament, or if you can’t go to church just pray in a quite place. Go… kneel down before Him and pour your heart out to Him. Tell Him everything. Then sit and LISTEN. God speaks to the hearts of His people when they slow down and just listen. Take your Bible (if you don’t have one, get a Catholic Bible) and read the Gospels. If you don’t “feel” God’s love for you, read the accounts of Jesus passion and death over and over. This was the ultimate way that God has shown you how much He loves you.

Tell us a little more about yourself and maybe we can help you with some reading choices. Why did you first stop going to Mass? Did you start doubting God? Christ? The Catholic Church? Or was it a matter of being too busy? Did you commit a sin that you didn’t want to give up? Or perhaps you were in relationship with someone who doesn’t agree with the Church? All of these are reasons I hear people give about why they stop coming to Mass. Examine your conscience and let us know and perhaps we can be more helpful in our suggestions. The great thing about the forum, is you are anonymous, but the worst thing is that you sometimes run in to people who have no compassion. However, I’m here to help you and I know many others will be helpful too— just be advised that some people here can come across as too judgmental.

By the way, that little feeling of sadness and desire to reconnect with your faith… that is GOD calling. He is drawing you to Himself. How awesome is it to realize that God, Who is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords loves you enough to call you back to the faith you once had…maybe even calling you to a greater faith!!!
 
cosmocos said:
Good Evening!

I am trying to re-connect with my faith. I have not been in Mass in over 3 years. I can feel my faith leaving and it makes me so sad. I love God. I love my faith in God. Why the sudden change? Why, at 32, have I been questioning my faith? I do not feel His love. I really do not feel close to Him like I once did. So, I need to go back to the roots of my faith. I started reading Books from the Bible. I was wondering-what Books would be good for me to read so I can start the process of re-connecting?? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you so much!
Erica

I did post a post about this but I have no idea where it went so if find another one from me-I am sorry I am new!!:D:D
Click to expand...
Hi Erica,

The book of Galatians would be a good start; the first two chapters should encourage you. Whenever you read the Bible you need to do it prayerfully. Romans 8 and particularly Romans 8:28 always strengthen me in the Lord.

Rather than dwelling on your love for God have you ever considered dwelling on God’s love for you. If you have repented of your sins before Him in earnest and cried out for the Savior in humility, then you will be or are saved for Jesus will not turn away anyone who comes to Him with a contrite heart of repentance and calls upon the name of Jesus.

Most of the time when you begin to have doubts; it is because of unconfessed sin and particularly; an unbroken pattern of sin that has not been dealt with.

Perhaps you may be focusing too much on yourself rather than on Him and on others. I know when I have doubts it is inevitably what I described above - I do not know your specific situation, but I do know about the love of God as revealed in Scripture and talking with Him about my sin, the great things He has and is doing and being very thankful for all His continued blessing right down to each heartbeat and breath I take and in everything giving thanks. God cares about the smallest detail as much as the bigger things in the lives of His children.

Also be careful to guard your mind and actions from the things of this world; TV and video games are two examples of tools the devil just loves because of all the time and junk it fills our minds with.

May God bless you and bring His peace upon you through the Holy Trinity.
 
cosmocos said:
Good Evening!

I am trying to re-connect with my faith. I have not been in Mass in over 3 years. I can feel my faith leaving and it makes me so sad. I love God. I love my faith in God. Why the sudden change? Why, at 32, have I been questioning my faith? I do not feel His love. I really do not feel close to Him like I once did. So, I need to go back to the roots of my faith. I started reading Books from the Bible. I was wondering-what Books would be good for me to read so I can start the process of re-connecting?? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you so much!
Erica

I did post a post about this but I have no idea where it went so if find another one from me-I am sorry I am new!!:D:D
Click to expand...
As far as books of the Bible - I’d suggest the Gospels.
 
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