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Hope1960
Guest
Ok, thank you. I need to develop a closer relationship with the Holy Spirit, too.
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halogirl
Guest
Just sit alone and ask. And Mass obviously xxx
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fhansen
Guest
We just have to seek Him. Read His words in Scripture, pray: ask, seek, knock. Read the Catechism; together with Scripture that’ll reveal His nature and will better than any other source in the world. It’s ultimately all about growing in “the knowledge of God”, which speaks of a personal, direct kind of knowledge. Because God is what our faith is all about-that’s who Jesus came to reveal. And that’s who He is, which is why He’s the one human who could do the job. He’s both friend, brother, and, immensely, unfathomably, more, at the same time.
"Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent." John 17:3
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PennyinCanada
Guest
Praise and thank Him through the day.
When you stub your toe, you have choices. You can swear. You can say ouch ouch ouch! Chose the best option, say Praise you Jesus! It takes practice to recognize that when something you don’t like happens, praise God in the midst of it.
Spend time with scripture.
When you stub your toe, you have choices. You can swear. You can say ouch ouch ouch! Chose the best option, say Praise you Jesus! It takes practice to recognize that when something you don’t like happens, praise God in the midst of it.
Spend time with scripture.
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Jimbo
Guest
I apologize if you felt disparaged. I made a couple of assumptions I shouldn’t have. The question wasn’t meant that way. Rather it was an honest one.
An assertion was made: Some non Catholic Christians have a ‘deeper, more personal relationship’ with Christ. One that isn’t in the Catholic Church. It certainly sounds like it was assumed to be better than what we have.
But what does that mean? It is key to understanding the point to know if it is really better.
And although I don’t believe the OP meant this, the ‘personal relationship with Jesus’ is a bit of a loaded statement often when dealing with many protestant denominations, because it is used in a context that says ‘This is what you need for salvation, not all that sacrament stuff’.
In that protestant sense, it absolutely warps what we need. You can be saved through baptism, repentance, and the Catholic Church without having a ‘personal relationship’ to Christ. But if you have that personal relationship but reject the rest, you damage your chances.
To Catholics who leave the Real Presence for a ‘personal relationship’ I can’t think of a larger tragedy. It makes me think that we haven’t gotten the message through about the Real Presence.
An assertion was made: Some non Catholic Christians have a ‘deeper, more personal relationship’ with Christ. One that isn’t in the Catholic Church. It certainly sounds like it was assumed to be better than what we have.
But what does that mean? It is key to understanding the point to know if it is really better.
And although I don’t believe the OP meant this, the ‘personal relationship with Jesus’ is a bit of a loaded statement often when dealing with many protestant denominations, because it is used in a context that says ‘This is what you need for salvation, not all that sacrament stuff’.
In that protestant sense, it absolutely warps what we need. You can be saved through baptism, repentance, and the Catholic Church without having a ‘personal relationship’ to Christ. But if you have that personal relationship but reject the rest, you damage your chances.
To Catholics who leave the Real Presence for a ‘personal relationship’ I can’t think of a larger tragedy. It makes me think that we haven’t gotten the message through about the Real Presence.
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halogirl
Guest
I will say that I feel I was led to Catholicism from Methodism and before that my family didn’t practice a faith. My father and brother still don’t believe and my brother was never even baptised ( they let us choose and I chose it and he didn’t ).that does concern me and my mother always worried that he wouldn’t be in heaven. I am proof that Jesus works outside of the church to bring people to Him I had the rship before o was baptised and it led me to getting baptised as soon as I could.
Tis_Bearself
Patron
I understand if you aren’t totally on board with the idea of saints, and there’s nothing wrong with you relating to Joni, who I’ve heard of also.
However, there are MANY saints and blesseds who are not from the 9th century, but from times pretty close to our own. I grant you that the process of making a saint tends to take a long time because the Church wants to be very sure that the person is saint material before they beatify or canonize someone, but beati like Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, Blessed Chiara Luce Badano, Blessed Solanus Casey, Blessed Stanley Rother, and many Venerables and Servants of God including Venerable Fulton Sheen, the war chaplains Servants of God Vincent Capodanno and Emil Kapaun, the mystic Servant of God Rhoda Wise, are pretty contemporary and faced a lot of problems and issues that people can easily relate to today.
Sts. Maximilian Kolbe, Faustina Kowalska, Gianna Beretta Molla, and Padre Pio all were walking the earth less than 100 years ago.
I just don’t want anybody to get the impression that Catholics don’t have any modern saints. We have quite a few who are either canonized or are at least at Beati level and will likely become full-fledged saints soon, and more in the pipeline below that.
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Convert3
Guest
I’ve never understood the Protestant vs. Catholic thing. I’ve known many of each faith that were devoted Christians. I became Catholic two years ago at age 60. There are many Protestants that practice their faith as they know it with a pure heart. Few of them truly understand the Catholic faith and the true presence of Christ, but the faith they have is real. My faith was real.
There are many Protestants and Catholics that go to church/Mass regularly, because they were raised that way or do it because they think they’re “supposed to.” And many that don’t go anymore.
I don’t see how Protestants can judge the Catholic Faith or Catholics judge the Protestant beliefs. There are wonderful Christians in all Christian churches who express their faith differently. I do believe Catholics are the true church, and don’t have any problem explaining why I believe so. But I will never pass judgement on anyone, especially someone who believes in Jesus. We should show those who are lacking in faith how they can be fulfilled with Christ in their lives.
There are many Protestants and Catholics that go to church/Mass regularly, because they were raised that way or do it because they think they’re “supposed to.” And many that don’t go anymore.
I don’t see how Protestants can judge the Catholic Faith or Catholics judge the Protestant beliefs. There are wonderful Christians in all Christian churches who express their faith differently. I do believe Catholics are the true church, and don’t have any problem explaining why I believe so. But I will never pass judgement on anyone, especially someone who believes in Jesus. We should show those who are lacking in faith how they can be fulfilled with Christ in their lives.
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PapyrusDouay
Guest
It’s all good, Jimbo. I think all the points you make here are spot on. The ‘this is all you need for salvation’ argument DOES warp things, absolutely.
YES! it’s a major tragedy, and it’s really happening. Which, especially when put in the context of so many Saints writing about or demonstrating their ‘personal relationship’ with Jesus, tells me that although its perhaps not necessary for salvation, there’s something real and powerful to developing a personal relationship with Jesus, beyond just receiving the eucharist every Sunday. Since this does seem to be a factor in people leaving the Church despite the Real Presence, I worry that perhaps having or not having a personal relationship with Jesus may have a bigger impact on salvation than we think, or even completely understand yet. (I’m using ‘personal relationship’ here in a broad context, in all the many manifestations that exist of a ‘movement of one’s heart’ toward and with Jesus Christ.)
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JimR-OCDS
Guest
Many do have a deeper relationship with Jesus.
Others do not and it’s more on the surface than a true contemplative relationship.
Either way, don’t concern yourself on the faith of others.
Turn to the source of faith yourself, Jesus Christ, and let His transforming grace do the rest.
Jim
Others do not and it’s more on the surface than a true contemplative relationship.
Either way, don’t concern yourself on the faith of others.
Turn to the source of faith yourself, Jesus Christ, and let His transforming grace do the rest.
Jim
Tis_Bearself
Patron
Amen to that. I think we would all be better off if we concerned ourselves far less with what others were doing, whether it’s having their own relationships with Jesus, committing sins, covering or not covering their heads at Mass, and just focused on what is the best way for we, ourselves, to get close to the Lord.
GospelOfMatthew
New member
I have found a deeper relationship with Jesus by frequenting Confession and attending Daily Mass often as well as praying the Rosary often, Chaplet Of Divine Mercy, and reading the Bible.
These things have really given be a deeper view of what my sins are and what I need to work on while I am patiently waiting to find my future spouse which I believe is my vocational calling.
These things have really given be a deeper view of what my sins are and what I need to work on while I am patiently waiting to find my future spouse which I believe is my vocational calling.
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Peeps
Guest
Oh, I didn’t realize that the OP has a lot of threads about looking around at other Christian communities.
Thanks for the head’s up. What I said still stands, but I will add that the OP should follow the good advice of many on this thread and look to her own Church, which has been around for 2000 years, as the source of a way to enjoy a close and loving relationship with Our Lord Jesus.
And I do agree with you (sorry, ran out of time before work, which is when I generally catch up on these forums) that there are Protestants who are living on emotion and music. I think that Jesus is still their Savior (He doesn’t turn people away who are seeking Him), but they have a lot to learn about remaining close to Him. I have seen many Protestants fall away, like the people that Jesus describes in His parable of the soils. So sad when any Christian walks away from Jesus.
Thanks for the head’s up. What I said still stands, but I will add that the OP should follow the good advice of many on this thread and look to her own Church, which has been around for 2000 years, as the source of a way to enjoy a close and loving relationship with Our Lord Jesus.
And I do agree with you (sorry, ran out of time before work, which is when I generally catch up on these forums) that there are Protestants who are living on emotion and music. I think that Jesus is still their Savior (He doesn’t turn people away who are seeking Him), but they have a lot to learn about remaining close to Him. I have seen many Protestants fall away, like the people that Jesus describes in His parable of the soils. So sad when any Christian walks away from Jesus.
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Peeps
Guest
Lee1, have you ever seen the Campus Crusade for Christ film, “Jesus” ?
It’s been seen by people all around the world, and is billed as the most seen movie of all time.
It’s just the story of Jesus’ life. No cinema triumph or artistic breakthrough or Oscar contender (it was made back in the 1980s, I believe). But it’s still well-done, and the actor who portrays Jesus in the film is quite masculine and very appealing. He looks like someone that anyone would love to get to know and be friends with. His portrayal of Jesus is lively and friendly and as I said, masculine.
Give it a try. There is one scene with Jesus interacting with a young girl that has stayed with me for decades–so delightful. Try to get past any 1980s vibes!
One film that I do not like is the Zeffirelli film, “Jesus of Nazareth.” IMO–and I know and accept that others disagree with me—the portrayal of Jesus makes Him look like some kind of alien–He talks reallllllllly slooooowww and soft, and moves likes a ghost–really slow. When people ask him a question, He stares at them forever before answering in a really slow sentence. He’s very thin and ascetic-looking and doesn’t look capable of doing carpentry work. I saw the film back in the 1980s, and if I were to see it today, when the average American man weighs 198 pounds, and the average American woman weighs 171 pounds, I would probably think he was ill with a wasting disease.
I also like Cavaziel’s Jesus in the Passion of the Christ film, although I can’t watch that film–it’s simply too graphic for me. Once was enough. But Jesus is very masculine in this film.
It’s been seen by people all around the world, and is billed as the most seen movie of all time.
It’s just the story of Jesus’ life. No cinema triumph or artistic breakthrough or Oscar contender (it was made back in the 1980s, I believe). But it’s still well-done, and the actor who portrays Jesus in the film is quite masculine and very appealing. He looks like someone that anyone would love to get to know and be friends with. His portrayal of Jesus is lively and friendly and as I said, masculine.
Give it a try. There is one scene with Jesus interacting with a young girl that has stayed with me for decades–so delightful. Try to get past any 1980s vibes!
One film that I do not like is the Zeffirelli film, “Jesus of Nazareth.” IMO–and I know and accept that others disagree with me—the portrayal of Jesus makes Him look like some kind of alien–He talks reallllllllly slooooowww and soft, and moves likes a ghost–really slow. When people ask him a question, He stares at them forever before answering in a really slow sentence. He’s very thin and ascetic-looking and doesn’t look capable of doing carpentry work. I saw the film back in the 1980s, and if I were to see it today, when the average American man weighs 198 pounds, and the average American woman weighs 171 pounds, I would probably think he was ill with a wasting disease.
I also like Cavaziel’s Jesus in the Passion of the Christ film, although I can’t watch that film–it’s simply too graphic for me. Once was enough. But Jesus is very masculine in this film.
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Peeps
Guest
Because they don’t know that the Gift of Christ’s Body and Blood is available.
There is a discussion in the Catechism of “invincible ignorance” that Catholics have a hard time understanding. Catholics who love Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament have no idea that Protestants don’t see this teaching in the Bible, even though it’s right there in plain view. But over the centuries, the Bible has been interpreted and re-interpreted by many Protestant teachers, and now that teaching is complete obscured from their sight and soul-eyes. They just can’t see it.
When I was Protestant (47 years), I had NO IDEA what the Catholic Church really teaches. I had many Catholic friends when I was growing up, but none of them knew what their Church teaches. They just went to Mass because that’s what Catholics do.
Although I hate the scourge of legal abortion in the U.S., one thing that I think has happened is that many Protestants have gotten past their distrust of Catholics as they have watched them over the decades since Roe v Wade. Catholics have led the way in fighting abortion and teaching about its evilness. in the 1970s, many Protestants honestly believed that abortion “could be good in certain cases.”
But then certain Protestants, including Keith Green, 2nd Chapter of Acts (both extremely popular musicians back in the 1970s and 80s), and especially Dr. James Dobson, who many Protestants referred to as “the Protestant pope”, began speaking out against abortion and calling for Christians (Protestant Christians) to fight against the murder of innocent unborn children.
When Protestant started attending protest rallies and marches, and classes to learn how to help women in crisis pregnancies, they found themselves standing alongside thousands of Catholics–and this is what has precipitated an ever-increasing acceptance of Catholics as “true Christians,” something that would have been impossible for much of the 20th century and earlier.
Noted Christian speaker and found of Prison Fellowship, Chuck Colson (R.I.Pl) wrote several books before his death about the need to seek unification with Catholics.
The Evangelical Christian magazine Christianity Today routinely features stories and news updates about Catholics and Catholic Church issues, and these articles are done with respect and acceptance.
And many Protestants speak with great respect of Saint Pope John Paul II. (Not so many show the same respect for Pope Francis.)
Anyway, the ball is in the Catholic Court. We need to continue to reach out to Protestants and be prepared to share our faith and describe it knowledgeably to Protestants, and that includes having a working knowledge of the Bible (without using Bible book tabs to find our way around!).
There is a discussion in the Catechism of “invincible ignorance” that Catholics have a hard time understanding. Catholics who love Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament have no idea that Protestants don’t see this teaching in the Bible, even though it’s right there in plain view. But over the centuries, the Bible has been interpreted and re-interpreted by many Protestant teachers, and now that teaching is complete obscured from their sight and soul-eyes. They just can’t see it.
When I was Protestant (47 years), I had NO IDEA what the Catholic Church really teaches. I had many Catholic friends when I was growing up, but none of them knew what their Church teaches. They just went to Mass because that’s what Catholics do.
Although I hate the scourge of legal abortion in the U.S., one thing that I think has happened is that many Protestants have gotten past their distrust of Catholics as they have watched them over the decades since Roe v Wade. Catholics have led the way in fighting abortion and teaching about its evilness. in the 1970s, many Protestants honestly believed that abortion “could be good in certain cases.”
But then certain Protestants, including Keith Green, 2nd Chapter of Acts (both extremely popular musicians back in the 1970s and 80s), and especially Dr. James Dobson, who many Protestants referred to as “the Protestant pope”, began speaking out against abortion and calling for Christians (Protestant Christians) to fight against the murder of innocent unborn children.
When Protestant started attending protest rallies and marches, and classes to learn how to help women in crisis pregnancies, they found themselves standing alongside thousands of Catholics–and this is what has precipitated an ever-increasing acceptance of Catholics as “true Christians,” something that would have been impossible for much of the 20th century and earlier.
Noted Christian speaker and found of Prison Fellowship, Chuck Colson (R.I.Pl) wrote several books before his death about the need to seek unification with Catholics.
The Evangelical Christian magazine Christianity Today routinely features stories and news updates about Catholics and Catholic Church issues, and these articles are done with respect and acceptance.
And many Protestants speak with great respect of Saint Pope John Paul II. (Not so many show the same respect for Pope Francis.)
Anyway, the ball is in the Catholic Court. We need to continue to reach out to Protestants and be prepared to share our faith and describe it knowledgeably to Protestants, and that includes having a working knowledge of the Bible (without using Bible book tabs to find our way around!).
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Lee1
Guest
No I haven’t.
I did buy the passion of Christ the other day but Ive been told that it’s graphic and I’m not sure I want that, not sure at all.
Thank you for the suggestions though, I would like to see a good film about the life of Jesus.
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Marp
Guest
Are my catholic prayers more usefull than my heartfelt prayers? Should I find answers to my question in Catholic theology or scripture. I am having trouble with the differences.
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MiserereMei25
Guest
Heartfelt prayers are powerful! Written Catholic prayers sometimes helps us to pray with clearer intention. Honestly whatever helps you feel closest to God works best.
Also Catholic theology is best. Protestant theology can be useful as long as it’s jn line with Catholic theology.
I would speak with a priest.
Also Catholic theology is best. Protestant theology can be useful as long as it’s jn line with Catholic theology.
I would speak with a priest.
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TULIPed
Guest
Respectfully - it’s always been a head scratcher for me why the words “personal relationship” make you guys uncomfortable. Please allow me to use a verse that supports the idea of a “personal relationship” as well as your ideas (I think) about the things you mentioned are important about being Catholic:
“You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 I no longer call you slaves, because a slave does not know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father. 16 It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you.”
Using your formulation, if you do the things you mentioned in your post - baptsim, repentance and the Catholic Church, aren’t you “friends” with Christ? I’m not sure how it’s possible to be someone’s “friend” and not have a personal relationship with them? Protestants and Catholics will argue I’m afraid for quite a while about faith, works, sacraments, Notre Dame football, fish fries (why not more catfish?), etc. etc. I don’t think we need to argue about getting to know Jesus better as a friend, no?
Merry Christmas!
PS You gotta at least give me some credit for using a solid “you have to do something” verse here at least. In the immortal words of ESPN, “C’mon Man!”
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TULIPed
Guest
What are these? Are you talking about the tabs that stick out of your Bible that show where various books of the Bible begin? If so - I’m Protestant and I would kill for those things in my Bible. SO much easier to get where you want to go - especially in the OT:
Pastor: Please turn to the 2nd chapter of Ruth
Me: Oh brother…
PS Great post. Merry Christmas.
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