Contentment

[JoyToTheWhirled]

How does one learn contentment in the situation you find yourself in? I am currently struggling with patience about becoming Catholic, attending Mass when I am allowed to and hoping to attend a Journey in Faith course in September time. I want to be patient, but it’s so, so hard not being able to receive Jesus, though obviously I make spiritual communion whenever I am able. I worry about not being able to go to confession yet, what happens if I die? Sorry to sound so whiney, this has all been bubbling along for quite some time. Any advice is welcome.

 

[Dorothy]

Obviously the Lord has given you a strong desire to be Catholic, and is blessing you on your journey. You can use the time to grow in spirituality by your prayers, attendance at Mass, and good spiritual reading.

This can be a very fruitful time for you.

I don’t know all the circumstances, but if there is very good reason to speed up your becoming Catholic, then it would have to be discussed with the pastor.

May our Lord Jesus Christ bless you richly, and be your peace on your spiritual journey.

 

[TruthSeeker319]

I’ve always had a problem with the word contentment. I always associate contentment with a lack of action. Almost a point of non-growth. “I’m content, what more should I want?” Why should we ever be content with our faith? Should we not always thirst for the divine? I’d rather seek a joy-filled life than a content one.

This doesn’t really answer your question though. Sorry

 

[jaimeleglise]

If you were to die, it is most likely that you would receive a “baptism of desire”, meaning that your strong desire to be baptized would suffice as a baptism since you did not live long enough to get instruction and be formally baptized.

It is true you cannot receive Sacramental Communion yet. However, you can participate in devotions such as The 14 Stations of the Cross or praying the Rosary. You can also make a Spiritual Communion telling Jesus you are not able to physically receive Him yet but you wish to receive Him in your heart.

The prayer for the Act of a Spiritual Communion is on the EWTN website.
ewtn.com/Devotionals/prayers/blsac4.htm

Feel free to attend Mass as often as you wish and read the Bible. You might make some nice Catholic friends in your new parish.

Welcome and God bless you.

 

[puzzledtoo]

Greetings,
I believe we can achieve contentment through the act of letting go. Another poster opined that they viewed contentment as “lack of action” I disagree. Contentment for me is letting go and therefore lessening my suffering and possibly the suffering of others.
Both of my kids and their families live many hundreds of miles from my wife and I. We are able to visit them about once a year each, sometimes more. I try to be content with this as it is my way of suffering less at not being able to see them more often. It is difficult to miss the little ones growing up but since we can’t afford to see them more why should I make myself suffer? We used to take road trips to see them and over the years my wife has said she preferred to fly rather than drive. I’ve always enjoyed the drive up until the last 2 trips. Too many people on the road that really shouldn’t be. I’ve finally decided that I’d rather fly than drive-not that it doesn’t have its drawbacks but I’m content to live with them rather than drive myself nuts on the road-too much stress. I’m sure there will be stress from flying but I’m content with the decision/action that I’ve taken in this instance.
If you meditate on contentment for a while maybe you’ll see where I’m coming from or maybe not. I’m hoping at the very least you’ll see it as an act and not lack of action and be able to use that as a way for you to be content with where you’re at on your journey to Catholicism. Blessings.

 

[JoyToTheWhirled]

Thanks all for your (name removed by moderator)ut. Much to think about.