Catholic Guilt?

[fulloftruth]

I was thinking recently of some of my family members and of some people that I have heard speak in a twelve step group to which I attend. My thoughts went along these lines. I hear alot of people complaining about being raised in a strict Catholic environment where they were made to feel guilty about themselves and their behavior. Complaining about being told to go to confession, and to avoid the occasion for sin. Many of these people have fallen away and blame the Church for pushing them away and for giving them a standard to which no one could live up to lest they be a saint and that they knew no such people alive in thier world. I realized that the moral code that the Church and Christ calls us to live by is unattainable, outside an abundance of Grace, which is only recieved by living a sacramental life, ie daily mass, regular confession, heavy prayer, daily rosary’s, and avoiding mortal sin and all sin, and being brutally honest with oneself, God, and ones confessor. Outside of this commitment to a sacramental life, the moral code is too high a hurdle and therefore unattainable. This leaves the average Catholic, who by their own will have decided not to live a sacramental life, with a sense of failure and guilt which they run from and later blame, for all of their problems and use to leave the Church, claiming a loving God would not create such an unattainable lifestyle. What they do not realize is that he not only desires such a commitment because he knows that in this way of living we will find true happiness in him, but that he has given us the Church and the sacraments which make such a life attainable, we need only conform our will with his and deny ourselves of the pleasure of this world for the higher pleasures of heaven. Easier said than done, but if we they(I) would only follow the way which has been spelled out for us so simply, and not attach our own desires and wordly wants to such a simple saving gospel. I feel sorry for them and at the same time I have no pity for them because it is their self pity and total selfishness that has caused them to fall away, many of which may never come home. May God send an abundance of grace down upon the Catholic children of adult Catholics, and fill them with His Spirit leading them to a sacramental life, through Christ our Lord, Amen

 

[renee1258]

I love guilt, it is the feeling that prevents me from repeatign stupid behavior. I hate when people say “I have no regrets”. They are the same people who never learn. Guilt doesn’t feel good, but if I didn’t feel pain just as if a person didn’t feel pain if they hit thier thumb with a hammer you would constantly doing more harm to your body and with guilt it is your soul.

Now there is unnatural guilt, that someone else puts on you when they want something out of you, and the guilt of natural consequences. Usually non-Catholics will trying to guilt you, in trying to be tolerant of their sins when you speak up. I just tell them Jesus wasn’t a co-dependant.

 

[Bonnie]

Catholic guilt doesn’t measure up to Baptist guilt - it just gets more press. Growing up Baptist meant there were more sins, such as smoking & drinking, but no Sacrament of Confession. It was a horrible feeling not knowing if I was really forgiven or really saved.

I went to confession yesterday & told our wonderful new priest that confession kept me Catholic!

 

[jeffreedy789]

i think catholic guilt is worse than baptist guilt (i’ve been both, too), but catholic guilt has an outlet.

the people you’ve mentioned (fulloftruth) should, perhaps, consider that only saints are allowed into heaven. it’s not a matter of ‘can i live up to an impossible standard’. it’s a matter of being made into someone who will be ‘at home’ in heaven. in other words, it’s not optional. if someone plans to spend eternity in heaven, they have to die to themselves daily and follow Him, which means difficulty and pain and guilt - until the guilt is washed away in forgiveness.

to turn your back on the sacramental life, and on the difficult work of becoming a saint, is to turn your back on Christ.

which, i’d hasten to add, some people (myself included) DO from time to time. i know of few people who never chuck it all for a day or an hour or a year or a decade. that’s why it’s also important to remember that our savior said that he (or she) who is forgiven much, loves much.