Do you sometimes feel you are the only one you know who tries to put Jesus first?

[George14]

There’s something else important here. I used to feel that “judging others” when their behavior toward me or others like me was as you describe was a no no, but I found out the opposite. While I don’t mean you condemn them or write them off, I DO mean that you RECOGNIZE EVIL, and that it is a reality.

Everyone is changeable, everyone is “in process,” and some people DO INDEED GET EMBEDDED IN DOING EVIL. THERE IS A HELL. So there WILL be justice when the final chips are counted at the end.

I have had to teach myself that recognizing evil is very important: I need not worry about using euphemisms to describe it (Jesus himself said to Peter, 'Get thee behind me Satan!" That’s pretty specific! )

It doesn’t allow me to gloat to recognize this, however: it does allow me to distinguish and recognize that indeed evil gets its way far too much for my tastes and that in intention I am not a part of it: “I am on God’s side!” AND it gives me pause, in that I am capable of it myself, and may even be doing harm without realizing it - *

I do think the beatitude that refers to “hunger and thirst after justice” involves our need that wrongs get righted - and some kind of eternal punishment of evil-doers is certainly one of them since for many there is no justice while they are still living. Again, there IS a hell.*

 

[KingAlfred]

One thought that helps me get through the day, working amongst radical non-believers who actually loathe Christianity and religion in general, is the commandment that we do good to all without any thought of reward.

 

[tGette]

It seems like being a Christian itself is a cross itself to carry.

Let me word this better:

Being a Christian is itself a cross to carry.

That is why I gave the Scripture quote:
“If the world hates you, realize that it hated me first.” (John 15:18)

 

[Hislittlelady]

I feel that way a LOT…

for example… I like to spend a lot of time with Jesus @ the Blessed Sacrament… I get “attacked” for it one way or the other…

I try to do what i can for the unborn… ditto…

I try to do what the Church instructs… ditto…

Maybe i need to be in another community… because i just feel incredibly ALONE… most of the time, very misunderstood… and like people probably see me as a freak…

Just wondering if anyone else feels this kind of … not loneliness because i am not lonely… but alone-ness.

:angel1: I can only say that you are a faithful Christian and obedient to the Lord. If more people did what you are doing there would be great peace on this earth. I am very much like you in the sense that I keep Jesus in my mind from the moment I wake up until the moment I go to bed at night. Even fall asleep to holy music.

This doesn’t mean that I don’t live life. But He’s with me even as I do my daily activities and chores. He’s on my mind always. I pray throughout my day, asking His guidance and His protection for myself and my entire family and friends. He is my beginning and my end. He is my All in All. He is my reason to be.

Without God we are powerless and helpless. Why is it that many people don’t feel this or understand it. I could sit and discuss the Lord and His Kingdom all day long and never get bored, but, I don’t. People don’t like it. They’re not interested, so I’m forced to remain silent. I do witness at every opportunity I can find, but can only go so far without irritating anyone. People just don’t want to hear it. Don’t they understand that we were made to worship Him? Most people do not.

Can you imagine, with the world in the state of affairs it’s in now, not running to the Lord for His protection? I can’t. That’s what’s keeping my head above water. The Lamb of God is my salvation.

Don’t ever go off that lovely path you’re on because it’s the pathway to heaven. Jesus also felt very alone and isolated when He was in the agony in the garden. He told us to pick up our cross and follow Him. This is what we have done. Praise God. Thank you Jesus. Let us pray that everyone on the entire earth find Him and welcome Him into their hearts. We are all called to be saints. We pray that someday when we arrive in heaven, we will be saints through His mercy and grace. We will receive our crown of glory.

Jesus You are the lover of our souls.

 

[NTOT]

i do try to overcome through prayer… Most of the time it dosn’t bother me but recently i met someone i thought was so Catholic… only to find out the person really wasnt… not like i am anyway…

The experience… and the disappointment coming from this experience made me feel all over again… how wonderful it would be if i really could find someone who believes - and more importantly practices (100%) as i do…

We must always be very careful not to fall into the very serious trap through the sin of Pride. It is insidious and can bring ruin upon oneself in a hurry. It is a Capital sin for a reason.

 

[Hislittlelady]

We must always be very careful not to fall into the very serious trap through the sin of Pride. It is insidious and can bring ruin upon oneself in a hurry. It is a Capital sin for a reason.

Yes, I agree with you. So many times throughout my day I catch myself falling into the sin of pride. When we start thinking that only Catholics are saved, God loves only us Catholics, that’s pride. It’s not true either. God loves everyone, including non-Catholics, who are also saved, but in our understanding have strayed from the true Holy Apostolic church.

It doesn’t sound like distracted would have a problem with pride, but rather a need to share and pray with others of like mind. I find that in my daily walk, most people put prayer out of their heads and go about life with their daily issues and trials, and putting religion in it’s place. This is all fine and good, we must live in this world, but it’s so important to keep Christ at all times in our thoughts before anything else.

We must pray for His light to shine through us, His broken vessels. I haven’t found many with this way of thinking. All Christians are called to be one with Christ. That includes our non-Catholic friends as well. When they refuse to return to the Apostolic church, then this is something between them and God and not for us to judge.

The only advice I can offer to distracted is to join a church group, which is what I have done, and there you will find all the people who think as you do. Be friends with all, but if you feel you need something more in sharing God’s love and would rather do it with people of your own faith, I don’t see a problem with that and the church is the best place to find friends who believe as you do. There are so many different ministries and it’s nice to join up with one of them.

Let us all walk humbly with our God and be faithful servants to Him.

:heaven: :curtsey:

 

[bpbasilphx]

If you’re truly putting Jesus first, you won’t care about what others say about you.

 

[water]

thanks for that…
hmm… Assuming i understand this

What I meant was that if you let others bothered by what you do - Jesus isn’t always the One being put first. It is either our pride or our wrong judgement towards others that we might put first. We sometimes don’t see this, but it is true for many times.

 

[Scott_D]

I feel that way a LOT…

for example… I like to spend a lot of time with Jesus @ the Blessed Sacrament… I get “attacked” for it one way or the other…

I try to do what i can for the unborn… ditto…

I try to do what the Church instructs… ditto…

Maybe i need to be in another community… because i just feel incredibly ALONE… most of the time, very misunderstood… and like people probably see me as a freak…

Just wondering if anyone else feels this kind of … not loneliness because i am not lonely… but alone-ness.

It’s funny, I’ve pondering the same thing lately, although I don’t feel the aloneness as much because my wife and I have 6 younguns. This election has been quite an eye opener for me to see who really loves the Church, the Pope, and Christ. Of course, I can’t read men’s hearts, but the amount of steady parishoners who were willing to flout all of the Church’s teachings in this crucial election I found shocking. We know other families who know Christ’s word and try to keep it, but we are very scattered. It does get lonely. This is why I use the Catholic Answers forum. It’s one of the few places where I can discuss the Faith and not get lambasted for it. I even got into a spat with some friends right after Mass about them supporting abortion candidates in this election. You’d think one would be safe inside a Catholic church!

 

[distracted]

You are not alone. I feel the same way. Don’t be like me and get incredibly discouraged. I did, and I went off on a side track for a good 3 months, stopped my regular prayer routine, felt like a tidal wave was taking me on and i was all alone.

Keep on plugging away, dont worry about what other people think. I did, it was a mistake. I’m trying to claw my way back now

thanks… I have never really stopped “plugging away” but it does slow me down a bit when others act so “weird” toward me… becasue then i have to stop and wonder WHY…(get depressed, etc.). . when i should actually KNOW why… and i suppose i do know now… shouldn’t care anyway… but i am human…

I think the reason God’s wrath is so strong against people who refuse to do things his way (which is what the Word of God says) well… as per St. Mt 25;31… what someone does to a person, one does to God himself… whether the person realizes it or not… I mean, i was thinking about that the other day… It is such a terrible thing to hurt God himself… and God… gets (of course) tired of it… I can see why God does not allow certain sinful people in Heaven… and I can definitely understand Purgatory and the need for it… i g uess i am digressing… but anyway… I would believe in Purgatory even if i wasn’t Catholic… because ther is no true justice ever accomplished (perfectly) in this world… In fact, it seems the world is totally UN just… I have seen so much injustice just in my life (and some others i know or have read about) that i get to the point i don’t even want to live in this ^&%%$# world anymore…

Anyway… thanks and God bless…

 

[distracted]

It’s funny, I’ve pondering the same thing lately, although I don’t feel the aloneness as much because my wife and I have 6 younguns. This election has been quite an eye opener for me to see who really loves the Church, the Pope, and Christ. Of course, I can’t read men’s hearts, but the amount of steady parishoners who were willing to flout all of the Church’s teachings in this crucial election I found shocking. We know other families who know Christ’s word and try to keep it, but we are very scattered. It does get lonely. This is why I use the Catholic Answers forum. It’s one of the few places where I can discuss the Faith and not get lambasted for it. I even got into a spat with some friends right after Mass about them supporting abortion candidates in this election. You’d think one would be safe inside a Catholic church!

wow, i could have written this myself… and i also come here becsause there are few other true Catholics in my life… or so it seems… i have gotten to the point where i don’t socialize much anymore, to speak of… so i don’t even know who belives waht…

anyway, you are fortunate to have a wife and 6 children… I wish i had someone to share Jesus with. Maybe you could pray for me??

Thanks… i will do the same for you…

 

[distracted]

Yes…I do. Most of the teachers with whom I work behave in a very unsavory way when apart from the students. They call it ‘blowing off steam’. I call it disgusting.

hmmm… I’m kind of afraid to ask for details…

 

[distracted]

that you RECOGNIZE EVIL, and that it is a reality.

I have had to teach myself that recognizing evil is very important: I need not worry about using euphemisms to describe it (Jesus himself said to Peter, 'Get thee behind me Satan!" That’s pretty specific! )

It doesn’t allow me to gloat to recognize this, however: it does allow me to distinguish and recognize that indeed evil gets its way far too much for my tastes and that in intention I am not a part of it: “I am on God’s side!” AND it gives me pause, in that I am capable of it myself, and may even be doing harm without realizing it -

i can relate… i sometimes wonder if i am doing more harm than good (with certain posters here, for instnace… I get so tired of … well, waht seems to me to be nothing but evil… )… i have ptsd so sometimes i have to admit i see evil where possibly there may not be any … or it is not as evil as i think or what have you… but i also know that i am now more sensitive to evil because of all the praying i do… and spending ti e iwth Jesus any time i can… (Real Presence. Do you do that??).

I do think the beatitude that refers to “hunger and thirst after justice” involves our need that wrongs get righted - and some kind of eternal punishment of evil-doers is certainly one of them since for many there is no justice while they are still living. Again, there IS a hell.

i wish more people realized this… I think nowadays people are so hung up on loving and tolerating everyone (which is good and has its place, of course) that they just start believing that God is too loving to throw someone into Hell. they don’t realize that their sins are going to throw them into Hell… (if unrepented of)… and even if they avoid eternal Hell, there is temporary hell. … known as PUrg… Of course everyone seems to forget about that… Catholic beliefs are not easily accepted in a mostly Protestant society…

anyway… as i write i am once again reminded of the dangers of the once-saved-always-saved notion…

People had better hope and pray that there really IS a Purgatory as we Catholics say…

 

[distracted]

:angel1: I can only say that you are a faithful Christian and obedient to the Lord. If more people did what you are doing there would be great peace on this earth. I am very much like you in the sense that I keep Jesus in my mind from the moment I wake up until the moment I go to bed at night. Even fall asleep to holy music.

]

very wonderful experience reading this… It is so nice to (at least once in awhile) get the feeling someone somewhere understands me…

I feel sorry for peple who don’t know what i know or have what (WHO) i have… and i pray for them… i pray for eveyr soul God created to make it to Heaven… or I try to remember to do that… :whacky: but sometimes i just get so tired of all the… un-nessary… negative and hateful words that are said… behind my back…

One very good thing, though… it makes me love God all the more… because he is never petty or judgmental (as long as we are doing right/trying to do right)… and, as a recent mass reading said. . Jesus will reject no one who comes to him… That used to be (still is?) one of my favorite passages because i have been rejected all my life, one way or the other… and a lot of the time i can’t figure out WHY… because i treat people with respect (except here on the forums, that is. ) …

Actually, i treat people with respect here also… it is just once in awhile some poster will make some really rude remark and i just CAN"T resist saying … whatever comes to my mind…

I know i shouldn’t return “evil” for evil… but… that brings up another point…

How do we know, really, when what we say is Ok with the Lord or not… ?? I mean… Jesus said some pretty “rough-sounding” htings himself (“hypocrites”… “brood of vipers”…). I gess i just believe in being honest and saying waht i think… but i really do NOT want to hurt people’s feelings…

God bless…

 

[distracted]

We must always be very careful not to fall into the very serious trap through the sin of Pride. It is insidious and can bring ruin upon oneself in a hurry. It is a Capital sin for a reason.

well, i can see where you think this is prideful… it does sound like it

i shouldn’t have said “100%”…

I try to do God’s will 100%… most of the time (TRY)… but i know i do not succeed 100%… (Maybe 32% )

I really don’t think i have much pride left… after all the crucifixions i have been through… I have (and know i have) nothing to be proud of… So… anyway… i am sorry if i sounded that way… (“What do you have that you have not been given?”)

(if it makes you feel better, all my life i have actually thought/felt that others were superior to me… not in every way, of course… but generally speaking… Most people, i have usually felt… are “better than me” - better-looking, richer, have [seemingly] healthier relationships… so i can hardly be excessively prideful…

When i read the lives of the saints… i see all the more clearly that i have nothing to proud of… how i can do better…

God bless…

 

[distracted]

One thought that helps me get through the day, working amongst radical non-believers who actually loathe Christianity and religion in general, .

that statement certainly rang a bell…

but then most Chrisitans have that to deal with, i would think… the world is just getting so crazy… so… anti-Christ…

 

[Hudsonite]

I was feeling that way a lot too. Father told me to pray the Litany of Humility. At first it was very hard to pray this litany. It pretty short but its very powerful. In time I realized that I was loosing those desires and fears but the actual never changed.
God made you special for purpose that he intended just for you.

I keep this prayer in my purse and pray it as often as I can.

Jesus! meek and humble of heart, Hear me.
From the desire of being esteemed,
Deliver me, Jesus.

From the desire of being loved…
From the desire of being extolled …
From the desire of being honored …
From the desire of being praised …
From the desire of being preferred to others…
From the desire of being consulted …
From the desire of being approved …
From the fear of being humiliated …
From the fear of being despised…
From the fear of suffering rebukes …
From the fear of being calumniated …
From the fear of being forgotten …
From the fear of being ridiculed …
From the fear of being wronged …
From the fear of being suspected …

That others may be loved more than I,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.

That others may be esteemed more than I …
That, in the opinion of the world,
others may increase and I may decrease …
That others may be chosen and I set aside …
That others may be praised and I unnoticed …
That others may be preferred to me in everything…
That others may become holier than I, provided that I may become as holy as I should…

 

[distracted]

What I meant was that if you let others bothered by what you do - Jesus isn’t always the One being put first. It is either our pride or our wrong judgement towards others that we might put first. We sometimes don’t see this, but it is true for many times.

True… This is why i spend as much time as possible at the Real Presence… because there i find ABsolute Truth… and the longer i stay There, the more Jesus i get into my heart…

and then when i leave, the world (flesh, devil) just tries to drag Him out of there all over again… :crying: :crying: uch: :crying:

 

[distracted]

I was feeling that way a lot too. Father told me to pray the Litany of Humility. At first it was very hard to pray this litany. It pretty short but its very powerful. In time I realized that I was loosing those desires and fears but the actual never changed.
God made you special for purpose that he intended just for you.

I keep this prayer in my purse and pray it as often as I can.

Jesus! meek and humble of heart, Hear me.
From the desire of being esteemed,
Deliver me, Jesus.

From the desire of being loved…

i really don’t care to be loved my mere humanoids anymore…

From the desire of being extolled …

couldn’t care less about that one

From the desire of being honored …

or that one

From the desire of being praised …

or that one

From the desire of being preferred to others…

or that one

From the desire of being consulted …

or that one

From the desire of being approved …

or that one…

From the fear of being humiliated …

I DO sort of struggle with that one… but as much humiation as i have undergone already… i should soon be able to hadnle that better as well…

From the fear of being despised…

I have to admit i have this one kinda bad… Not sure why either… since i don’t care - or say i don’t care - whether people like me or not… Hmmm…

From the fear of suffering rebukes …

definitely have this one… and again… don’t know why considering aforementioned… From the fear of being calumniated … not so much…

From the fear of being forgotten …

hmm… not sure… Most of the time I WANT to be forgotten… by just about everyone… (everyone but God that is…

From the fear of being ridiculed …

sort of… but starting not to give a rip…

From the fear of being wronged …

Oh yes!! I have this one… pretty bad…

From the fear of being suspected …

suspected of what??

That others may be loved more than I,

That’s already an established fact of my life…

Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.

don’t know if i can pray that one…

That others may be esteemed more than I …

i don’t care about that one anymore… Long story how i got over it…

That, in the opinion of the world,
others may increase and I may decrease …

spritually…

That others may be chosen and I set aside …

no longer care about that…

That others may be praised and I unnoticed …

happens all the time… don’t really care…

That others may be preferred to me in everything…

ditto

That others may become holier than I,

i wish to God in Heaven they would… !!! Sorry, but it bothers me when peple do away from the “narrow path” …

provided that I may become as holy as I should…

i’m sure that will only happen in Purgatory (… or if spend the rest of my earthly life @ the Real Presence…

and too bad i can’t do that… )

Anyway… thanks… That was therapeutic… going through that list, item by item… It shows where i have let Jesus have me and where i have held back…

thanks… God bless…

 

[Hudsonite]

Do you have a “good” confessor where you can get spiritual direction from?:
It really helps me to take my weakness to the confessional. My latest one is attachment. I didnt even realize I had a problem with it until I started praying this litany.
.
Sometimes we think we dont have a problem with this thing or that thing, we think we have that weakness licked but we are good at fooling ourselves. I dont recall any Saint who would say they had any issues under complete control.

Is what you are doing completely for the love of God? This is a tight question. For years I went to daily Mass, adoration etc and recently I noted, by the Grace of God that it was not all for the love of God. Its a pretty deep question that takes hours of contemplation to answer honestly.

I dont know where you live but we have a really good one here. He is so close to God, I think he can actually read my soul at times. He tells me when I forget a sin and what that sin is. I get all my spiritual direction from him. He hears confessions everyday and sometimes there are lines for hours.

If you dont have one, find one. I have to drive 30 miles to get to his Masses and its worth it.