How to not be lukewarm and get out of lukewarmness

[thestudentAD]

Hey, I think I’ve been lukewarm in my faith and I want to get out of that. I feel that if I don’t speak out more about religion and such God’s going to send me to Hell.
I do say a rosary every day, I don’t pray every night, I don’t always donate money to the church, I don’t always speak out. And if I do, my coworkers consider me unbearable as I have spoken about religion. I have thin skin and I should’ve fixed myself a long time ago. Also, I did make my view apparent to my gay coworker who is open about his homosexuality and is in a ‘union’.
I have watched several videos by Sensus Fidelium on youtube and lent’s just started for me.
So, in short: How do I not be lukewarm, how do I get out of lukewarmness and spiritual cowardice, and how do I not look like a pharisee?

 

[Kjnw4831]

I am in the same position! I just came back to the church and don’t want to settle into being lukewarm. I have thin skin as well and I don’t do very well with confrontation. I am looking forward to the other replies!

 

[AKDee]

Hey, I think I’ve been lukewarm in my faith and I want to get out of that. I feel that if I don’t speak out more about religion and such God’s going to send me to Hell.
I do say a rosary every day, I don’t pray every night, I don’t always donate money to the church, I don’t always speak out. And if I do, my coworkers consider me unbearable as I have spoken about religion. I have thin skin and I should’ve fixed myself a long time ago. Also, I did make my view apparent to my gay coworker who is open about his homosexuality and is in a ‘union’.
I have watched several videos by Sensus Fidelium on youtube and lent’s just started for me.
So, in short: How do I not be lukewarm, how do I get out of lukewarmness and spiritual cowardice, and how do I not look like a pharisee?

I think there is a difference between being passionate about the faith and being judgmental and unkind. Stay on the right side of that line. For example, your co-worker’s gay union is none of your business. If he tries to foist his opinions in that matter on you, it’s enough to state that you are a Catholic and don’t agree and leave it at that.

You can be passionate by making the effort to pray morning and night and before and after each meal, making sure to ask the Lord each day for the Graces you need to grow in your Faith and to be more like Christ, to read scripture daily, to perform a Holy Hour or go to Adoration, to go to confession and do a really serious examination of conscience beforehand and truly meditate on your sins and how they have hurt our Lord, your soul and the Church, to go to Mass at least every Sunday and to reverently receive the Holy Eucharist, by praying the Holy Rosary or a chaplet, by offering up your every thought and action to the Lord, by doing more penance for the conversion of sinners, by praying every day for peace, by wearing the Scapular (and living your life in a manner which reflects it), by doing the 9 First Friday’s and the Five First Saturdays, etc. You can be passionate by being a light shining on a hill for non-believers by not cussing, not taking the Lord’s name in vain, and living such a good moral life that people realize that there is something truly different about you. Some of them will ask you what that is, and then you can share the Gospel and the Church. You can be passionate by dedicating your life to God as a priest or a nun (I don’t know your gender) or if you marry by being the very best spouse and parent you can possibly be.

There are probably hundreds and hundreds of ways to be passionate for God that don’t include driving people away from the Church by being judgmental about their lives. You want your life to draw people TO Christ, not drive them away from Him.

God bless you.

 

[MT1926]

Hey, I think I’ve been lukewarm in my faith and I want to get out of that. I feel that if I don’t speak out more about religion and such God’s going to send me to Hell.
I do say a rosary every day, I don’t pray every night, I don’t always donate money to the church, I don’t always speak out. And if I do, my coworkers consider me unbearable as I have spoken about religion. I have thin skin and I should’ve fixed myself a long time ago. Also, I did make my view apparent to my gay coworker who is open about his homosexuality and is in a ‘union’.
I have watched several videos by Sensus Fidelium on youtube and lent’s just started for me.
So, in short: How do I not be lukewarm, how do I get out of lukewarmness and spiritual cowardice, and how do I not look like a pharisee?

First off we all can’t be apologists. So I doubt God sends us to Hell for being insecure in our words. Posting on here daily has helped me to become a little more verbal and confident when I talk with others.

You got me beat on the rosary, my mind tends to wander.

All and all my recommendation would be to post a little more. No one on the web can see how thin your skin is so you will be safe here.

 

[Ridgerunner]

For me, the most powerful thing is this. (might not be for everybody)

I recall reading some theologian or other who asserted that receiving Holy Communion is the nearest thing to being in heaven on this earth. When one thinks about it, it’s true. We don’t have the Beatific Vision, but we really do touch God, and we are in a “Communion of saints” at that time in a way.

Ever since then, I have thought about that every time I go to communion. It might sound silly, but it really does seem heaven-like when I think about it, on the way up the aisle, at the moment of receiving, and afterward. It makes a person think differently.

 

[petra22]

I think there is a difference between being passionate about the faith and being judgmental and unkind. Stay on the right side of that line. For example, your co-worker’s gay union is none of your business. If he tries to foist his opinions in that matter on you, it’s enough to state that you are a Catholic and don’t agree and leave it at that.

You can be passionate by making the effort to pray morning and night and before and after each meal, making sure to ask the Lord each day for the Graces you need to grow in your Faith and to be more like Christ, to read scripture daily, to perform a Holy Hour or go to Adoration, to go to confession and do a really serious examination of conscience beforehand and truly meditate on your sins and how they have hurt our Lord, your soul and the Church, to go to Mass at least every Sunday and to reverently receive the Holy Eucharist, by praying the Holy Rosary or a chaplet, by offering up your every thought and action to the Lord, by doing more penance for the conversion of sinners, by praying every day for peace, by wearing the Scapular (and living your life in a manner which reflects it), by doing the 9 First Friday’s and the Five First Saturdays, etc. You can be passionate by being a light shining on a hill for non-believers by not cussing, not taking the Lord’s name in vain, and living such a good moral life that people realize that there is something truly different about you. Some of them will ask you what that is, and then you can share the Gospel and the Church. You can be passionate by dedicating your life to God as a priest or a nun (I don’t know your gender) or if you marry by being the very best spouse and parent you can possibly be.

There are probably hundreds and hundreds of ways to be passionate for God that don’t include driving people away from the Church by being judgmental about their lives. You want your life to draw people TO Christ, not drive them away from Him.

God bless you.

I think this is true. To not be luke-warm you have to love Jesus more, not just one day a week–so to speak. You want to invite him into your life 24/7… with the good and the not so good… Be the best you can be in your little corner of the world. Be sure to thank him daily for the gifts he has given you. Be his apostle following his example…“Give to God the things that are God’s…”

 

[Polluted]

Do not say anything relating to homosexuality directly to a coworker. As a manager myself one can get into a HEAP of trouble. If you want people to know where you stand on such issues, simply let them know you are a proud, practicing Catholic. Trust me, that states firmly where you stand on many issues.

 

[pamnbam]

OP, I see you are in Stafford, VA. Try going to Mass at St. William. Not just Sundays, but daily, adoration, frequent confession, there is even a Latin Mass. That is a wonderful parish and you will not be lukewarm there.

Continue to set aside time to pray daily and throughout the day; pray for those not aligned with God’s will, but continue to reach out to them as a friend. Don’t judge them for their sins or have a judgmental attitude, but see them as a person, a brother or sister in Christ.

After all, none of us are perfect and I’m sure we have sins we don’t need our coworkers calling us out on.

 

[thestudentAD]

I do go to weekly confession. Haven’t had Communion in awhile. Have only been to Adoration twice this year.

 

[AKDee]

I do go to weekly confession. Haven’t had Communion in awhile. Have only been to Adoration twice this year.

Well, it seems to me that you’ve identified two things that would help you on your road to being passionate for the Lord- receiving Him sacramentally in the Eucharist, and visiting him more often in Adoration.

 

[SuperLuigi]

Hey, I think I’ve been lukewarm in my faith and I want to get out of that. I feel that if I don’t speak out more about religion and such God’s going to send me to Hell.
I do say a rosary every day, I don’t pray every night, I don’t always donate money to the church, I don’t always speak out. And if I do, my coworkers consider me unbearable as I have spoken about religion. I have thin skin and I should’ve fixed myself a long time ago. Also, I did make my view apparent to my gay coworker who is open about his homosexuality and is in a ‘union’.
I have watched several videos by Sensus Fidelium on youtube and lent’s just started for me.
So, in short: How do I not be lukewarm, how do I get out of lukewarmness and spiritual cowardice, and how do I not look like a pharisee?

I think you should talk to a priest or a spiritual director to find out what obligations (if any) you have as far as talking about religion and these other topics.

 

[Christy_Beth]

I’d like to suggest the book “Overcoming Lukewarmness.” I’m rereading it and find it very helpful. I, too, don’t want to be found lukewarm when Jesus comes at the end of time.

 

[Anglewannabe]

I feel that if I don’t speak out more about religion and such God’s going to send me to Hell.

I suggest spending time in prayer if possible adoration to get to know God. Actions speak louder than words and it is my firm opinion that the majority of us are called to lead a life that is ‘quiet’. IOW we just do our best to follow God and even if we don’t become world famous like Mother Teresa, God sees us and will reward us in heaven just as much as her.

I do say a rosary every day, I don’t pray every night,

Start saying the rosary at night and kill 2 birds with one stone

I don’t always donate money to the church

Neither do I. I give a big donation once a month

I don’t always speak out.

I wear a cross around my neck outside of my shirt for everyone to see. I consider that more than sufficient for speaking out

And if I do, my coworkers consider me unbearable as I have spoken about religion.

I would find you unbearable as well ! I go to work to earn my living. I do my best to perform my duties as a Catholic. But trust me, it is NOT the place for theological discussions. I am there to be a good steward to my employer and perform the tasks given to me. To waste time talking about things irrelevant to work on the companies dime is in a way stealing from the employer

Also, I did make my view apparent to my gay coworker who is open about his homosexuality and is in a ‘union’.

You don’t seriously think anyone who is open about any aspect of their lifestyle wants public criticism ? Show your co-workers you are a Catholic who leaves judgment to God. Just don’t attend his ‘wedding’. That is all that is required !

So, in short: How do I not be lukewarm, how do I get out of lukewarmness and spiritual cowardice, and how do I not look like a pharisee?

By talking about religion at work you are looking like a Pharisee. Go in private and pray to God. Honestly, I really have to wonder if you are correctly defining ‘Luewarm’

Angie

 

[SilverLight]

I have the problem with people saying I am lukewarm also when I am just rather tolerant of how others are. I have gay friends and I honestly don’t care about that because its none of my business. I know what the church says and I am sure they do also so I do not push that on them to be polite.

 

[Bill_Martin]

For me, lukewarmness comes from a faltering of faith. A faltering of faith comes from a lack of confidence about what I believe. This stems from not being knowledgeable about what I believe. Lack of knowledge comes from not thinking about it.

Read things that make you think. Read the kind of books that you find yourself thinking about months after you’ve finished them.

A list to get started:

CS Lewis: Mere Christianity, The Great Divorce, The Space Trilogy

George MacDonald: Phantastes, The Princess and Curdie

St. Augustine: Confessions, On the Free Choice of the Will

All of these are fairly short or easy to read and all of them are absolutely fantastic.

 

[AllieT]

There are a few things that sometimes help me get out of that “lukewarm” state: Confession (even when I only have venial sins to confess); Eucharistic Adoration (1 hour, sometimes saying actual prayers and sometimes just sitting and “being” there with Christ, maybe asking Him to help me get through this dry period); and/or attending some weekday Masses. Sometimes when I’m in that frame of mind, even saying the Rosary and going to weekday Mass seem like massive tasks, so my prayers might be more conversational (talking/listening to God and shorter formal prayers, such as a decade of the Rosary, the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, or other prayers). Also, just having weekday Mass on EWTN on in the background has jumpstarted me back into a more spiritual life in the past.

Also, if you don’t give regularly to your Church, consider committing at first to a smaller amount that you know you can offer every week - something manageable - but something that you can be consistent with. I don’t know if you have Faith Direct available where you are, but making an electronic payment each week makes it so easy.

As for speaking out, that may come with time. Living by example is another way to evangelize…