Have you received an order from Jesus?

[migencluz]

People who claim to have apparitions or locutions are just usually severely depressed people who have given up on life and now try to find some meaning by seeking out spiritual experiences.

Please don’t be offended, but just because an apparition is just “claimed” doesn’t mean that it is not real. It is true that there were many “apparitions” that were disproved and shot down, or at least remain unapproved, but don’t forget that many apparitions started with a claim.
I know skepticism is a good way to filter true apparitions from false and made-up ones, but your hypothesis seems to generalize the concept in a negative way.
I am discerning my vocation right now, and I have learned that although not all priests had glamorous discernment stories, some of them have had personal encounters with Jesus, Mary, or the saints, some had signs sent to them, some heard Jesus’ or Mary’s voice.
Tying it back to the original question, “Have you received an order from Jesus?” People of the clergy have gotten these orders, or as we call it, “calls”, or else they would not have gotten through the seminary. And it is possible to get these “callings” in the form of an apparition.

 

[someperson555]

I guess you don’t believe what happened to Saul/Paul, either, huh? Was he just hallucinating, or suffering from “mood disorders”, too?Acts Of The Apostles 9: [1] And Saul, as yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest, [2] And asked of him letters to Damascus, to the synagogues: that if he found any men and women of this way, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. [3] And as he went on his journey, it came to pass that he drew nigh to Damascus; and suddenly a light from heaven shined round about him. [4] And falling on the ground, he heard a voice saying to him: Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? [5] Who said: Who art thou, Lord? And he: I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. It is hard for thee to kick against the goad.

[6] And he trembling and astonished, said: Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? [7] And the Lord said to him: Arise, and go into the city, and there it shall be told thee what thou must do.
Sounds a bit like locutions to me. No one else around him heard the voice he claimed he heard, either.

I do believe in some claimed apparitions. But 99 percent of the time any claim of of apparitions, locations, angel messages, etc are FALSE. Furthermore an important thing to note in Paul’s case is that he wasnt seeking it out!. God never communicates in such a supernatural way with people who try to seek it out. Because God sees that in those cases its just the persons ego that wants the encounter. Everyone likes to feel special. Or like theyre " the chosen one". Yes I do believe God communicates to you but in more SUBTLE ways. He doesn’t beam a thought or an emotion into your head. He uses INSPIRATION. Even in the bible that is mostly how he communicates to the prophets
Sometimes the prophets got it wrong and mistook their inspiration for Gods inspiration. Do you really think God actually commanded moses to kill all those philistine children?
For reasons unknown God operates in a covert hidden manner.
I would advise you to be wary of " mystics" and “seers”. A brief psycho analysis of these people will show you what’s really going on. Most of the time they are just sad desperate people who want to create some sort of meaning in their lives. I know because I hung out with people like this for a short time. Look at all these wannabe mystics like christina Gallagher or veronica leuken. All hogwash. I have to say im even skeptical of fatima and faustina. I wonder if sister faustina would have just lived her life would she still have been a “chosen one”?

 

[ChurchSoldier]

Yes.

Nothing unbiblical or outside orthodox Christian belief.

 

[Blue_Horizon]

I guess you don’t believe what happened to Saul/Paul, either, huh? Was he just hallucinating, or suffering from “mood disorders”, too…Sounds a bit like locutions to me. No one else around him heard the voice he claimed he heard, either.

I believe you will find this is not the case, others heard the voice but did not see from my memory (which may be faulty) of Saul’s conversion. So probably not a good example to make your point.

The Church appears to accept, as good intellectual hygiene, that purely personal claims of the paranormal not be given equal weight as those of the normal.

That the former are considered “guilty until proven innocent” seems wise counsel given that most prophecies and such claims do prove to be spurious.

That is not to say that some cannot be demonstrated to be credible and indeed in time do prove themselves that way.

 

[Telstar]

I believe you will find this is not the case, others heard the voice but did not see from my memory (which may be faulty) of Saul’s conversion. So probably not a good example to make your point.

The Church appears to accept, as good intellectual hygiene, that purely personal claims of the paranormal not be given equal weight as those of the normal.

That the former are considered “guilty until proven innocent” seems wise counsel given that most prophecies and such claims do prove to be spurious.

That is not to say that some cannot be demonstrated to be credible and indeed in time do prove themselves that way.

You’re right. My mistake. The others did hear the voice, but they did not see anyone.

 

[BlueKnight]

Never got an order. Got a request to wake up and pray once during the 911 terrorist attack.

 

[nuntym]

+JMJ+

I receive orders from Jesus many times a day.

They’re called the duty of the present moment.

 

[teeboy]

I guess you don’t believe what happened to Saul/Paul, either, huh? Was he just hallucinating, or suffering from “mood disorders”, too?Acts Of The Apostles 9: [1] And Saul, as yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest, [2] And asked of him letters to Damascus, to the synagogues: that if he found any men and women of this way, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. [3] And as he went on his journey, it came to pass that he drew nigh to Damascus; and suddenly a light from heaven shined round about him. [4] And falling on the ground, he heard a voice saying to him: Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? [5] Who said: Who art thou, Lord? And he: I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. It is hard for thee to kick against the goad.

[6] And he trembling and astonished, said: Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? [7] And the Lord said to him: Arise, and go into the city, and there it shall be told thee what thou must do.
Sounds a bit like locutions to me. No one else around him heard the voice he claimed he heard, either.

Great post.

 

[teeboy]

No and frankly I think its a red flag when people say they have. I almost never believe in any claims of apparitions or locutions ( if that is what you meant by your title). God simply doesnt work like that. Locutions are just your own thoughts but if you are suggestable enough they can seem like the thoughts are being " inserted" into your mind. People who claim to have locutions usually just suffer from mood disorders. Its a result of a fragmented psyche.
Jesus doesn’t work like that. He gave us everything we need to know in the bible and in church teaching. Hes not going to waste his time telling you wether you should put ketchup or mustard on your hotdog. People who claim to have apparitions or locutions are just usually severely depressed people who have given up on life and now try to find some meaning by seeking out spiritual experiences.

God has been revealing himself to different people throughout history; this is evident in teh Bible and in Church Teaching. Why would he stop?

 

[teeboy]

I think the better question to ask yourself would be…how do I really know it was Jesus?

And the answer would be along the lines…

• is it in accord with the Commandments
• is it in accord with the Gospels
• does it involve love of God and neighbour
• does it involve virtue on my part, especially humility rather than glory seeking
• what does my Confessor have to say…

Good. So reason can play a role in the discernment. Excellent advice.

 

[lucymeadhbh]

I haven’t exactly had an order, but a couple of times when I procrastinated,and didn’t make the effort of going to Adoration, I have heard a voice saying “I gave you an Ipad\ money for cinema tickets\ time with friends etc. (whatever it was at the time) and yet you could not spend one hour with me.”

It usually spurs me on to go. However, I don’t know if it’s genuine, or a figment of my over active imagination.