Can a loner get to heaven?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Leftylucie
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
The bottom line is that whether this person goes to Heaven or not is separate and apart from whether she is a loner. The two things are not related. A loner practices his or her spirituality differently from someone living out in a large community of people and interacting with them. Both approaches can get you to heaven, or not.
 
Why do not you like the company of others? is it for a valid reason, for a selfish reason, or for a bad reason?
In the same way, why do not you like to do good works?
many have spoken of loners who were saints, in fact their loneliness was but an appearance, they simply preferred the company of angels, the company of the saints of heaven, and the company of the holy trinity to that of humans who did not share their love for celestial goods. But I doubt that this is your case. A non-religious loneliness in my opinion is not usually a good thing …
 
Last edited:
Tis_Bearself said:
It would be nice if those of us who focus on praying as lay people were accorded a similar respect and not subjected to dismissive or even borderline rude comments.
Click to expand...
How awful, have you been a victim of rude comments for focussing on prayer alone?

That surprises me, when prayer is such a central part of our religion. Why would anyone be rude about you just praying?
 
Mboo said:
A non-religious loneliness
Click to expand...
Just a clarification to the English - I think you mean “aloneness”, not “loneliness”.

“Loneliness” implies the person is sad because they don’t have other people around. It doesn’t sound like this situation is making them sad. So “aloneness” would be the more correct word.
 
The Hermit Saints by Hieronymus Bosch - - - - - - St Anthony the Abbot , St Jerome and St Giles

(Please Note: This uploaded content is no longer available.)
 
Why not? Your actions are what will be judged and I do not see why there should be any negative judgement because you prefer your own company. If loners cannot get to heaven then no hermit could. Carthusian monks and nuns interact with probably fewer people than you. I am sure being a Carthusian does not stop you going to heaven.
 
You’re never alone, we have guardian angels.

God deals with each one of us singularly in any case, it’s a personal relationship.
 
I think we live in a society where extroversion is considered the norm and introversion is viewed as being a bit odd. It sometimes feels that unless you are being noisy and sociable and teamy and buzzy, you’re not fully playing your part. I think that this attitude can be apparent in our churches, which isn’t surprising as many parishioners are extroverts (as many of are introverts) and by their outwardly enthusiastic nature are more noticeable.

But there is plenty you can do as an introvert though, prayer, adoration, quiet works of charity, kindness to others, quiet work behind the scenes and more. Don’t feel that because you are not part of committees, or social groups, or teamy stuff that you’re not doing your bit.

We each are not called to do everything. Some are called to do the teamy, sociable, active things and others are called to a more contemplative existence. We each have our part to play.
 
Leftylucie said:
I really don’t like joining groups etc
Click to expand...
I really like a story that Ruth Graham, wife of the famous evangelist, Billy Graham, once told. She enjoyed watching the birds in their yard year round. In the summer months a bird bath was always kept full of fresh water. She observed how different birds displayed their social instincts at the bath. Sparrows congregated in mass groupings, ducking in and out of the water as though it were a party. Robins showed up in smaller groups but still shared the water, bathing with enthusiasm albeit without the same manic energy. Woodpeckers watched carefully for a break in the action and would only approach the bath if no other birds were present. They sipped in a genteel manner from the edge and flew off if any others came near. Still others, like nuthatches, rarely use the provided water at all and prefer to eat alone among the branches and feeders. I watch birds from my own window and have observed all these same traits.

God says he notices when any one of the these little creatures falls to the ground and He loves them all. You and I are like those woodpeckers and have nothing to fear over whether God loves us and the role he gave us to fill.
 
Thank you for all your comments…I really appreciate you taking the time…your words, for the most part, were very comforting!
God bless you!!!
 
You are not a loner so much as you have developed an interior life. And, it is that interior life that is so utterly lacking in many of us these days. Consider also the desert fathers, who lived in obscurity before man, but prominently before God. You are who the Lord made you to be. As long as you possess and practice the theological virtues of faith, hope and charity, you should be fine.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top