Christianity and Catholicism

[bella5110]

I’m not talking about leaving the Church. I’m just frustrated that I can’t be a “happy” Catholic.

Are you depressed ?

 

[bella5110]

Ugghh…you are a bunch of whiners…really!! I hate to sound judgemental and we all have our issues but get over yourselves. Catholicism is not about what you want. It is about God, Worshiping Him, Serving Him, Loving Him. It is not about if people are nice to you. Maybe they are having a bad week. Maybe they are struggling with their faith just like you. Here’s what I say:

SUCK IT UP AND OFFER IT UP!!!
If you feel you are struggling with your faith, pray. Go to Jesus, spend sometime in front of the Blessed Sacrament in Adoration. He is always there waiting for you. He wants to be the relief of your burdens. He will carry you. You only need to turn to Him.

Let me tell you a little about myself. I lived for 35 years in that Protestant life. I always felt half-full. I was constantly told that I was not good enough when I had doubts about my faith. I did not pray enough, I did not believe enough, I did give enough money so God would not answer my prayers. I got divorced and that was my fault bc I was not a dutiful wife. It did not matter to my church family that my husband had numerous affairs, brought them into my home and expected me to join them, it did not matter that he physically and emotionally abused me. I took it for 6 years and finally, a friend went to his Chaplin (a Catholic priest) and told him what was going on. The priest came to me in the love of Christ and told me I did not have to stay in that marriage. He helped me leave. Years later I completed RCIA and came into the fullness of the Church, had my marriage (a new one) convalidated by the preist who baptized our 4 kids, and gave 3 of them their First Communion, and received the Blessed Sacrament for the first time, I felt full, whole and truly loved by God.

The first time I experienced Adoration was a miracle. I am working mom with 4 very active kids, a husband who works in retail and has a varying schedule and my family (parents, siblings) who don’t approve nor try to understand my conversion. I suffer from fibromyalgia, with severe muscle and joint pain & fatigue and stress is my trigger. I know I can’t handle it all by myself. That particular day, I was in a lot of pain, had maxed out on my pain meds and still broke through. I did not know what to do. My dear friend, Colleen, asked me to come to Adoration. She said I would feel better. I went but with trepedation, I was still getting the hang of the Real Presence. When the hour started, I could not even look at the monstrance, I could not raise my eyes to look at our Beautiful Savior bc His presence was so strong, so real. I felt enveloped in His love, His healing, redemptive love. Silent tears of relief poured out of my eyes bc I could not even say the words of prayer but He knew, He understood, He forgave and He loved me. I left there pain free, healed.

Oh, I still have flare ups, and minor pain on a daily basis but by the Grace of God, I am able to suck it up and offer it up. It is not just a saying, it is my mantra. I offer my pain and suffering to God bc it has redemptive power.

Immaculate Heart of Mary, I love you. Sacred Heart of Jesus, I love you. I offer my suffering for those in need of mercy. Amen.

And I make sure to spend time with God in the Blessed Sacrament as often as possible.

Instead of worrying how others treat you and their lack of joy in Mass, find your own. If you are so busy worrying bc MarySue did not offer you the sign of peace, then you are missing the peace of Christ. And maybe nex time you can offer it to MarySue and brighten her day. To paraphrase Ghandi, you must be the change you wish to see in your parish. There is an older gentleman in my parish, he brings little ziplock bags of candy for the parents with younger kids, my 4 y/o DS is one of his favorites. Anyway, he spends the whole Mass with his rosary in his hands repeating the Hail Mary. I know he has health problems, his wife is sick. Yet, he exudes peace and comfort to those around him. He is an example.

I am sorry if I came on strong in the beginning. I am just so appreciative of my faith, my parish family, and my Church. I find so much joy and love in it.

Pax vobiscum

wow, that was a wonderful introduction. I feel the same way toward The Blessed Sacrament. I go as often as I need to. It comforts me. I too love my Catholic faith. I constantly meditate on The Passion of Christ when in Adoration and not the Risen Christ. I just cannot get all fired up like other faiths. I always feel terrible about the way He died.

 

[bella5110]

By the way, thanks for saying to this forum to stop worrying about other people and look to yourself. My message exactly.

 

[mrs_abbott]

Are you depressed ?

I don’t know. Am I? I probably sound like it, don’t I?

 

[mrs_abbott]

By the way, thanks for saying to this forum to stop worrying about other people and look to yourself. My message exactly.

I’ve quit worrying about what other people were doing a LONG time ago because I have enough drama worrying about me most of the time.

 

[JMJDevotee]

By the way, thanks for saying to this forum to stop worrying about other people and look to yourself. My message exactly.

Well, it is true. Faith is not a contest. It is personal. You can’t worry about what others are doing or not doing. You must live your faith. You are the only one accountable for your faith. The example you set in living your faith may be the key to another who is struggling with theirs.

Pax Vobiscum

 

[bella5110]

I don’t know. Am I? I probably sound like it, don’t I?

Most of the time when I am at Mass, I cry. Not enough so others can see, but we sing The Our Father and I always tell God, please don’t let me cry. I cry at communion, I cry when they say I am not worthy to receive you…etc…it just comes over me. Some tell me it’s the Holy Spirit, others say because of my calling through Padre Pio, I always think of The Passion. I can’t help it.
Although I am not a depressed person, tears always come to me at Mass. If I had my way, I’d probably wail like a baby.
Maybe it’s because of Our Mass and you are always reminded too of His Passion…just a guess…

 

[Verita]

Most of the time when I am at Mass, I cry. Not enough so others can see, but we sing The Our Father and I always tell God, please don’t let me cry. I cry at communion, I cry when they say I am not worthy to receive you…etc…it just comes over me. Some tell me it’s the Holy Spirit, others say because of my calling through Padre Pio, I always think of The Passion. I can’t help it.
Although I am not a depressed person, tears always come to me at Mass. If I had my way, I’d probably wail like a baby.
Maybe it’s because of Our Mass and you are always reminded too of His Passion…just a guess…

The Mass always makes me want to cry too (if I’m not to busy telling my daughter to stop meowing). It first happened after I read Scott Hahn’s The Lamb’s Supper. When I realized what was actually going on there… it was just an overwhelming feeling. I’ve never felt that way at a protestant church.

 

[bella5110]

Well, it is true. Faith is not a contest. It is personal. You can’t worry about what others are doing or not doing. You must live your faith. You are the only one accountable for your faith. The example you set in living your faith may be the key to another who is struggling with theirs.

Pax Vobiscum

 

[mrs_abbott]

Maybe it’s because of Our Mass and you are always reminded too of His Passion…just a guess…

I’ve cried in the confessional countless times and also at adoration before when I was on a retreat.
I know once I reach the point of “breaking down” and consume myself in being a “happy” Catholic, I’ll just cry unconditionally when I make my first, sincere confession. I get nervous just thinking about it. I’m just scared, I guess, but not really sure what I’m all that scared about.
Does that make any sense?

 

[bella5110]

I’ve cried in the confessional countless times and also at adoration before when I was on a retreat.
I know once I reach the point of “breaking down” and consume myself in being a “happy” Catholic, I’ll just cry unconditionally when I make my first, sincere confession. I get nervous just thinking about it. I’m just scared, I guess, but not really sure what I’m all that scared about.
Does that make any sense?

Are you a former Protestant?

 

[JMJDevotee]

I’ve cried in the confessional countless times and also at adoration before when I was on a retreat.
I know once I reach the point of “breaking down” and consume myself in being a “happy” Catholic, I’ll just cry unconditionally when I make my first, sincere confession. I get nervous just thinking about it. I’m just scared, I guess, but not really sure what I’m all that scared about.
Does that make any sense?

Maybe that is the reason you feel the way you do about your faith. Maybe the issue is you and not the Church. You probably feel seperated from God bc of your sin.

I completely get the fear. I was terrified during my first confession and I had 35 years of sins to confess. Thank goodness my priest was patient.

I teach 1st Reconciliation & 1st Communion prep to 8 year olds. They are scared too. Here is what I tell them.

The Sacrament of Reconciliation is a celebration of the love and forgivness of Christ. Yes, He is sad when we sin. Yes, it separates us from Him. But He is always there waiting with open arms and a ton of love, welcoming us back to the fold, just like the lost sheep.

You must remember that the priest is only a man, who is a sinner just like you. He does not judge you. My priest once said, he never remembers what sins are confessed, but the spirit of the confessor.

Try the examination of conscience on this website:

www.fisheaters.com

(My family uses this on a monthly basis.) It is very thorough. It helps to prepare you. You would be surprised at how many sins you forget you committed. Take that “list” and your spirit of conviction and make a good confession. It will start your healing.

Pax Vobiscum

 

[mrs_abbott]

Are you a former Protestant?

No ma’am! Cradle Catholic.

 

[mrs_abbott]

Maybe that is the reason you feel the way you do about your faith. Maybe the issue is you and not the Church. You probably feel seperated from God bc of your sin.

I know it’s me and not the Church. I used to blame the Church for my problems but I know it’s me.
I’m just having one heck of a time trying to make things right again. I want to but for some reason it’s just not that easy.

 

[JMJDevotee]

I know it’s me and not the Church. I used to blame the Church for my problems but I know it’s me.
I’m just having one heck of a time trying to make things right again. I want to but for some reason it’s just not that easy.

It never is easy. Living the Christian life is hard. It takes work and patience. It is like a marriage. Hard work. But it is so worth the effort.

Honey, remember He is there waiting for you with open arms. He loves you more than you can ever ever imagine. There is nothing you can ever do save that will ever make Him stop loving you.

Pax Vobiscum

 

[mrs_abbott]

Honey, remember He is there waiting for you with open arms. He loves you more than you can ever ever imagine. There is nothing you can ever do save that will ever make Him stop loving you.

Pax Vobiscum

That right there makes me want to cry but it’s hard to imagine that He can love someone so much who continually slaps Him in the face by sinning over and over again and not really feel sorry enough to change, at the time.
I used to feel immense amounts of guilt for my sins but then the longer I kept doing them, the less guilt I began to feel. Now that I’m trying to “revert” back to the good side, I’m honestly clueless on what to do and even if I’m worthy enough to come back.

 

[Kevin42]

It’s a weary road to travel, lemme tell you. I’m stuck in a rut and am neither moving forward to going backwards. Just stuck and I’m trying to get out.

Just focusing on this that you said earlier, I had some thoughts, that may or may not be helpful to you.

From what it seems, when we are “stuck” in our spiritual life, there is probably a reason for it. Something I have noticed is that alot of the times, getting stuck is God’s way of deepening our love for him. In some situations, we are incapable of doing anything, and this is when we must turn to Jesus, and ask for help. Perhaps, this is God’s way of allowing you the chance to say to him, “Lord, I can not go any further on my own will, I need your strength and grace to lead me.” In doing so, we acknowledge our helplessness without God. Thus if we wish to continue towards him, we call out to him for help. What a great way for the Lord to allow us to draw closer to himself and deepen our love and faith in him. Remember that without God, you are helpless, and will come up short of what you wish to be. With God though, anything is possible. Also, when the Lord does come to our help, this allows us to be grateful, which is one of the best things that one can be to God.

Just pray, pray, and pray more. God already knows your heart and what you need, he is just waiting for you to ask.

 

[mrs_abbott]

Perhaps, this is God’s way of allowing you the chance to say to him, “Lord, I can not go any further on my own will, I need your strength and grace to lead me.” In doing so, we acknowledge our helplessness without God.

I have the hardest time with the simplest phrase: Let Go and Let God. How can I let go?

 

[Kevin42]

I have the hardest time with the simplest phrase: Let Go and Let God. How can I let go?

Well that I do not completly know, seeing as I have not completly let go of everything that I need to let go of . It would seem though that we both lack complete trust and faith in God. We know that God is perfect, and it is His wish that we become perfect in Him, however, we do not have the complete faith in Him to act as if this were true. I know I do, as I am sure you do, that I pray to God, ask him for help and guideance, and offer prayers of thanksgiving. I receive the sacraments, and do all of that stuff. However, while I may trust in Him more than many people do, I still lack complete trust. If I had complete trust, then I would let go of everything that I should and I would be much closer to Him. I guess all we can do is pray, and be patient. I have heard alot of saints have had this problem, but they overcome it with prayer over time.

[Edit: I found the verse I was looking for ]

 Jesus said to him, " 'If you can!' Everything is possible to one who has faith."

Then the boy's father cried out, "I do believe, help my unbelief!"

-Mark 9:23-24

 

[mrs_abbott]

Well that I do not completly know, seeing as I have not completly let go of everything that I need to let go of . It would seem though that we both lack complete trust and faith in God. We know that God is perfect, and it is His wish that we become perfect in Him, however, we do not have the complete faith in Him to act as if this were true. I know I do, as I am sure you do, that I pray to God, ask him for help and guideance, and offer prayers of thanksgiving. I receive the sacraments, and do all of that stuff. However, while I may trust in Him more than many people do, I still lack complete trust. If I had complete trust, then I would let go of everything that I should and I would be much closer to Him. I guess all we can do is pray, and be patient. I have heard alot of saints have had this problem, but they overcome it with prayer over time.

I have a set-back that I know the devil is using against me and it’s what’s keeping from just skipping back into Church. I need some more questions answered and that stumbling block eliminated. Once it is gone, the path is clear for re-entry into the Catholic community whole-heartedly. Isn’t it amazing that one little sin can keep a person from experiencing that much joy?
Prayer is definitely what is keeping me sane these days!!!