How do you reconcile the difference between practice and teaching?

[Stephen_W]

I come from a faith tradition that emphasizes adherences to a strict discipline for all members. All are expected to know church doctrine. Devotion to God, reverence in church services, proper decorum are all hallmarks of the faith. Of course there are hypocrits among us, but because of the focus on outward conformity to the group, they are not always easy to spot, atleast at first glance. One thing is sure, there is a certain amount of safety from the evils of this world for my children, as long as they remain within the bounds of church discipline.

Studying the writings of the ECFs, has brought us now to consider the CC. We attended a OF Mass, and left, well, disappointed. Today we went to a TLM and found it more to our liking. We intend to continue exploring the CC (tomorrow we’re attending a High Mass) but I am troubled by the practice of most lay Catholics that I’ve been in contact with (most of the things I’ve read on this forum has led me to believe the people who post here are not of the average). How do you reconcile the difference between the practice of professing Catholics and the teachings of the CC?

 

[YoungTradCath]

Free will.

 

[TrueLight]

Studying the writings of the ECFs, has brought us now to consider the CC. We attended a OF Mass, and left, well, disappointed. Today we went to a TLM and found it more to our liking. We intend to continue exploring the CC (tomorrow we’re attending a High Mass) but I am troubled by the practice of most lay Catholics that I’ve been in contact with (most of the things I’ve read on this forum has led me to believe the people who post here are not of the average). How do you reconcile the difference between the practice of professing Catholics and the teachings of the CC?

I remember your previous post about mass. I’m glad it was more to your liking and I hope you have a blessed Sunday.

Most of the Catholics I know outside of my parish and CAF are cultural Catholics who don’t even practice.

I have a co-worker with kids in Catholic School. She goes to mass for them because even though she does her own thing, she still believes she should raise her kids Catholic. It’s the right thing to do.

I remember asking her if she was going to mass on All Saints Day and her answer was practically a “No! Duh”.

The majority of Catholics probably are not where they should be. That doesn’t change the fact that this is the Church that Jesus Christ founded.

How do I do it? A lot of time spent reading, in prayer, receiving the sacraments and of course… hanging out on CAF.

 

[JRKH]

How do you reconcile the difference between the practice of professing Catholics and the teachings of the CC?

To be honest, I don’t even try.

Jesus addressed this matter in Mt 23:2-3 where he says:

• 2 "The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat; 3 so practice and observe whatever they tell you, but not what they do; for they preach, but do not practice. *
  So - I look to teaching and not to the practice of others, whether clergy or laypeople.

Peace
James

 

[TimothyH]

I come from a faith tradition that emphasizes adherences to a strict discipline for all members. All are expected to know church doctrine. Devotion to God, reverence in church services, proper decorum are all hallmarks of the faith. Of course there are hypocrits among us, but because of the focus on outward conformity to the group, they are not always easy to spot, atleast at first glance. One thing is sure, there is a certain amount of safety from the evils of this world for my children, as long as they remain within the bounds of church discipline.

Studying the writings of the ECFs, has brought us now to consider the CC. We attended a OF Mass, and left, well, disappointed. Today we went to a TLM and found it more to our liking. We intend to continue exploring the CC (tomorrow we’re attending a High Mass) but I am troubled by the practice of most lay Catholics that I’ve been in contact with (most of the things I’ve read on this forum has led me to believe the people who post here are not of the average). How do you reconcile the difference between the practice of professing Catholics and the teachings of the CC?

Real Catholics beg God for mercy and do pennance for their sins, and worry about their own families and children, lest we become like the pharisees, and see ourselves - sinners really - as better than anyone else.

True to Christ’s teaching about the weeds and the wheat, we don’t reconcile other people’s behavior with the teaching of the Church. We try to be the wheat and not worry about the weeds because God told us that he would sort it out at the end of time.

Right guys?

-Tim-

 

[LilyM]

There’s a reason it’s called ‘practicing’ when one follows a faith - noone ever quite gets it right

It’s an old saying that the Church is a hospital for sinners more than a museum of saints. And this is right in accord with Our Lord’s saying that He came for the sake of sinners rather than the virtuous.

It also fits right in with the picture Acts paints of the early Church - disputes, mistakes and all. The Apostles are no less human and prone to human frailties and struggles after Pentecost than they were before.

Paul for one goes on at great length about how often he sins, either by doing something he shouldn’t do or not doing that which he should. And Peter reiterates the Old testament truism that even the just fall seven times a day.

 

[phoage]

I try to remember “Judge not, lest ye be judged” and leave others to God. I have a hard enough time keeping myself streight. I don’t need to worry myself about others unless they ask for help.