How to simplify my faith?

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Dragonfly5

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As someone who periodically has experienced doubt and left the Church, only to return, I’m trying to avoid “overthinking” things and just work on my relationship with Jesus. Since I tend to jump into things headfirst and try to learn everything there is to know about Catholicism I tend to burn out. It’s like I get tired of overthinking and give up, if that makes any sense. To combat this tendency(which almost just took me from the church again:blush:) I am trying to simplify and busy myself instead with the wonderful sacraments and devotional time/prayer rather than studying the Catechism and doctrines. Is this acceptable, or is it wrong?

I want to know the essentials and not worry myself about the rest of it. I want to focus on the Eucharist, reconciliation, etc. and learning the rosary and other devotions and getting into the habit of relying on these to feed my faith. I just want to enjoy my faith and relationship with Him and keep from trying to over-intellectualize things. Are there any suggestions you can give me to get into this practice and stop this cycle? Has anyone else had this experience? Any advice to keep me from overthinking is welcomed and appreciated. Also, whenever I come back into the church I am sometimes sporadically attacked with odd and even sometimes disturbing random thoughts. :eek:I’m not crazy, but this is concerning me a bit. Does this pass? Any ideas?
 
Yipes. No answers, lol. Am I able to delete the thread somehow? It’s kinda personal and embarrassing and I only put it out here to get some help, since I don’t know many practicing Catholics. :o
 
it is certainly possible to simplify the way you live out the faith, as long as you do not jettison anything that has been commanded by Christ: obedience to the commandments, to his teaching, and to the Church through the worship he ordained, through hearing and living his Word.

you don’t say if you are preparing to become Catholic, already Catholic, or the nature of the struggle you have been dealing with or the “cycle” you wish to break.

My advice is to get a spiritual director, the priest to whom you confess is a place to start, and simply tell him you are overwhelmed and how can you get back to basics. You may even ask him to assign spiritual reading and do that to the exclusion of other books.

What are the basics? Obedience of course, Mass and the sacraments, immersion in the Word, daily prayer and penance in the form of self-denial for the sake of Christ and giving to the Church and God’s poor in material ways and most of all through service.

In my experience with RCIA I think the common mistake of beginners is to think somehow there is a point where we can intellectually understand and fully accept each and every thing God has revealed–which is ludicrous and ignores human limitations and denies the immensity of God. This leads to more and more readings, studies and devotions, and seeking after some kind of subjective experience to constantly reinforce “I am getting closer to God, he is my good buddy, he makes me feel good.” in other words an essentially self-directed, self-interested spirituality, not a God-centered one.

For someone who is looking to downsize I think you can’t do better than, in addition to regular Mass attendance and recourse to the sacraments, daily dedicated prayer time using what ever method seems most productive and useful to you, and time reading and praying with the Word of God. For beginners and most people a resource the uses the daily readings, perhaps with an assisted meditation, is the best starting point. This will lead to a natural desire to grow in knowledge of the faith which will lead you to specific directions, rather than trying to globally know it all. For instance, reflection on the mercy and forgiveness of God may lead you to learn more about the sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation, and may lead to pray that focuses on that, such as the Divine Mercy. Someone else may be spoken to in scriptures about evangelizing and led to learn more so they can teach others. And so forth.

Do not neglect either daily prayer or regular service.
 
Eucharistic adoration is as basic as it gets. You can go any time your church doors are open and spend time with Christ before you in the tabernacle.

Someone once spoke of adoration as if they felt sorry for Jesus left so alone in our Churches and if you think of adoration that way you are doing something kind for Jesus by spending time with Him.
 
I was raised Catholic (kind of but not really). I left the Church and was atheist for 10 years because I made everything more complex than it really was. I confirmed into the Church Easter 2009. I have learned that it is much more important to practice in the physical and spiritual side to the faith. Exactly what you are doing. Persevere in prayer, the sacraments the rosary and sacramentals. But at the same time, we are all called to give reasons to our faith (I believe the verse is 1 Pet 3:14 or 15). I will get back to you on that verse. So the intellectual part, for me anyway, has reinforced the faith set in my heart. We all grow in different ways. You do not have to read the hardcore philosophical stuff but it may be good to have an idea of them. If an atheist were to ask you why you believe, be ready to answer. If a Protestant asks why you pray to Mary and the saints, be ready to tell them. Apologetics is needed and it will enhance your personal relationship with Him because we are called to defend our faith. With that said, you do not need to read every book on that known to man. Just get a few books and read/study them. Do NOT stop your prayers, devotions, sacraments, and other things. Those are more important for a healthy soul but there will come a time when you will be asked questions and Scripture teaches us that we must have a reason to believe. I hope this helps your faith. The Catholic Church is much simpler than most people think. I thought it was complex but really. All reason and divine revelation point to the beliefs of the Church (Christ’s Body). If you want to ask me questions, just ask on here or on my wall. Take care
 
I dont think there is anything wrong with going at your own pace and I know what you mean about overthinking. I tend to do the same because I am interested in Catholic Apologetics and doctrine so sometimes I have to stop myself and step back and realize that you dont necessarily get close to God by knowing about Him (which is a good thing) as much as you do by spending time with Him. It’s great to be a scholar and an academic, but if you dont spend time in prayer, all the textbook knowledge counts little. We can not think of our Catholic faith as just another textbook subject which we just happen to be interested in.

In terms of the essentials, I heard once that are three things which will always keep you a faithful Catholic: devotion to the Eucharist, devotion to Our Lady, and fidelity to the Magisterium’s teaching.
 
It is possible to keep it simple while learning more about the Faith. You sound like you are struggling to find the proper balance between a simple walk and deep, defensible knowledge. Probably the best way to gauge how you are doing is to monitor how you project your faith to others (or ask someone to help you monitor yourself).

It sounds like you have found a few practices that enable you to walk your faith. This serves as a good baseline for you. Feel free to increase your studies in the faith (e.g. by studying the Bible, Catechism, nuances in teaching in East v. West, etc.). Naturally, you will learn things that will deepen your appreciation of your chosen practices.

You may learn something that causes you to want to modify your practices or add new ones. If that happens, it would be especially good to pray and consider carefully (perhaps with the aid of a spiritual director) where the desire to change comes from and whether it is truly beneficial for your status (saying a lengthy Night Prayer, for example, may be inappropriate if you have small children).

Take your time at it, whatever you do. Currently, I am reading the catechism. I only get through a few pages per month and don’t retain much but I think it better than sitting still.
 
To put it as simply as possible. Love God with all our heart, with all your soul and with all your mind, and love your neighbor as yourself. The neighbor, by the way is anyone in need.

Is there any one in this world that is not in need of something?
 
Dragonfly5 said:
As someone who periodically has experienced doubt and left the Church, only to return, I’m trying to avoid “overthinking” things and just work on my relationship with Jesus. Since I tend to jump into things headfirst and try to learn everything there is to know about Catholicism I tend to burn out. It’s like I get tired of overthinking and give up, if that makes any sense. To combat this tendency(which almost just took me from the church again:blush:) I am trying to simplify and busy myself instead with the wonderful sacraments and devotional time/prayer rather than studying the Catechism and doctrines. Is this acceptable, or is it wrong?

I want to know the essentials and not worry myself about the rest of it. I want to focus on the Eucharist, reconciliation, etc. and learning the rosary and other devotions and getting into the habit of relying on these to feed my faith. I just want to enjoy my faith and relationship with Him and keep from trying to over-intellectualize things. Are there any suggestions you can give me to get into this practice and stop this cycle? Has anyone else had this experience? Any advice to keep me from overthinking is welcomed and appreciated. Also, whenever I come back into the church I am sometimes sporadically attacked with odd and even sometimes disturbing random thoughts. :eek:I’m not crazy, but this is concerning me a bit. Does this pass? Any ideas?
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I think it was Thomas Kempis who said, “I’d rather have compunction than know the meaning of the word”. Anyway, head knowledge is good but it’s still different from the direct knowledge of God-the knowing of God. I think prayer along with the contemplation of Scripture-without over-analyzing it-is productive in our allowing God to speak to us-so we won’t be doing all the talking. 🙂

If you already have a good grasp of Catholic dogma, maybe you need to give it time to “jell”, so to speak, so it can shed an even brighter light on the truths it intends to teach.
 
One of the best things to do is to simplify things, especially if you have problems with over thinking, is to read the Bible daily, pray, and go to Mass. If you do those things you will be more of a theologian than many modern day theologians. Just read, pray, and go to Mass. That simple formula will help you out a lot. If you have a question about something, ask your priest. God bless
 
Dragonfly5 said:
As someone who periodically has experienced doubt and left the Church, only to return, I’m trying to avoid “overthinking” things and just work on my relationship with Jesus. Since I tend to jump into things headfirst and try to learn everything there is to know about Catholicism I tend to burn out. It’s like I get tired of overthinking and give up, if that makes any sense. To combat this tendency(which almost just took me from the church again:blush:) I am trying to simplify and busy myself instead with the wonderful sacraments and devotional time/prayer rather than studying the Catechism and doctrines. Is this acceptable, or is it wrong?

I want to know the essentials and not worry myself about the rest of it. I want to focus on the Eucharist, reconciliation, etc. and learning the rosary and other devotions and getting into the habit of relying on these to feed my faith. I just want to enjoy my faith and relationship with Him and keep from trying to over-intellectualize things. Are there any suggestions you can give me to get into this practice and stop this cycle? Has anyone else had this experience? Any advice to keep me from overthinking is welcomed and appreciated. Also, whenever I come back into the church I am sometimes sporadically attacked with odd and even sometimes disturbing random thoughts. :eek:I’m not crazy, but this is concerning me a bit. Does this pass? Any ideas?
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i think a good first step in simplifying your faith and deepening your relationship with God, is to get a good spiritual director,
if you don’t know anyone personally that you feel is qualified or good enough, i can recommend some for you.
the reason it’s good to have a spiritual director is because when you have all these questions or when you’re confused or stressed about something, they will be right there to help you with good sound advice and information, and they will help you gently and lovingly in a way that is best for you,

when you start feeling like giving up, it’s at that point you need to just step back and take a break,
that is why seminaries and religious orders have mandatory recreation, after so long of studying and praying, your brain just fries,

the simplest way to go about your religion is, simply love God in everyone and in everything you do,
and how you do that is simply by being good, which means to practice your virtues and follow the 10 commandments,
think of the church as a channel of Gods love to us, it is an institution meant as a way to provide for us the teachings we need in order to grow spiritually and be strengthened in our virtues, it’s a means to the most intimate and deep relationship we can possibly have with God,
before learning your faith for the sake of knowledge of your faith, you must learn to know, love, and serve God, because God is the source of all truth and wisdom, which is what you seek, and therefore with God as the source of what you seek, you must have God first in order to truly and properly understand it,

don’t worry so much about knowing all there is to know about your religion, just focus on knowing, loving, and serving God, and then while you do that, God will lead you and teach you what you need to know,
many of the saints had alot of difficulty learning their faith, either because of some mental problem, or just because they could not afford to get an education, or some other reason, and yet some of them became great doctors of the church,
they learned their faith and grew in sanctity because they put God’s love first, He was their ultimate goal, and if we put God first in all things and try to love Him in all things, then we to can reach that great holiness that the saints did,
when God is your ultimate goal, then anywhere God leads you will be fine with you,
just as long as you are trying to be good by following God’s commandments, then you will always be doing His will…

i guess to put it simply, the first thing you need to do is work on your interior life, because it is there that you will find God,
just as Mary and Joseph could not find Jesus among their friends and relatives out on the streets, we also look in vain for Jesus out in the world and among those we know,
and when they found Him, He was in the temple. likewise you will find Him in “the temple of the Holy Ghost”, which is yourself.

if you need some good books for helping you with your interior life, i would recommend these -
tanbooks.com/index.php/page/shop:flypage/product_id/147
tanbooks.com/index.php/Catechism-of-Mental-Prayer
tanbooks.com/index.php/Call-to-Souls
catholicfreeshipping.com/Products/cfs_gensym-152.html
tanbooks.com/index.php/page/shop:flypage/product_id/218
tanbooks.com/index.php/page/shop:flypage/product_id/113
tanbooks.com/index.php/page/shop:flypage/product_id/2
tanbooks.com/index.php/Spiritual-Combat-A-Treatise-on-Peace-of-Soul

it is very important to read good catholic books like these, we are told by Saint Alphonsus De Liguori, that spiritual reading is just as important as praying,
that of course is not referring to any specific subject in our faith, but whatever is most necessary for you at this moment.

ok and about the “disturbing thoughts”, those can very likely be coming from the devil,
so when you get those thoughts, just try and say a prayer, and if you have holy water on hand you can sprinkle that around to.

alright and one more thing, i think you will like these -
audiosancto.org/
realcatholictv.com

ok well that’s all for now, hope this helps you, take care (:
 
Ignore my previous post. These people’s opinions are WAY more practical and relevant! I will take their advice and insert it into my tiny little flame of spirituality.
 
Eucharistic adoration is as basic as it gets. You can go any time your church doors are open and spend time with Christ before you in the tabernacle
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I agree w/ YankeeRC - no better way than to sit w/ Jesus in the tabernacle. Our parish has a separate chapel for Adoration. My hour is 10:00P on TH. Has made a huge difference in my life … spirtually, mentally, physically - EVERY aspect of my life. 👍
 
DCNBILL said:
**To put it as simply as possible. Love God with all our heart, with all your soul and with all your mind, and love your neighbor as yourself. The neighbor, by the way is anyone in need. **

Is there any one in this world that is not in need of something?
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Absolutely agree with this. In fact if we look at the passage from which this is taken, we can see even more - - -

Mt 22:36-40 36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” 37 And He said to him, " YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.' 38 "This is the great and foremost commandment. 39 "The second is like it, YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’ 40 “On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.” (bolding mine)

Verse 40 shows that ALL of the law and prophets are based on Love.
So to with The Church - All is based upon Love - every teaching, every discipline, every devotional etc is based on Love.

So - Make Love that cornerstone for yourself, dear Dragonfly5. Begin simply. Attend mass and really think about what Love God is showing through giving us the Eucharist. Stay after a few minutes instead of rushing off like so many do these days. Talk to Him and thank Him.

Same way in your prayerlife. Be simple and consistant. Begin by contemplating on the “Our Father” Let God’s “kingdom come” and “Will be done” in your life. Let Him lead you into those areas He wishes for you.

Finally I will, as I so often do, stongly recommend the book in my signature.

Peace
James
 
Dragonfly5 said:
As someone who periodically has experienced doubt and left the Church, only to return, I’m trying to avoid “overthinking” things and just work on my relationship with Jesus. Since I tend to jump into things headfirst and try to learn everything there is to know about Catholicism I tend to burn out. It’s like I get tired of overthinking and give up, if that makes any sense. To combat this tendency(which almost just took me from the church again:blush:) I am trying to simplify and busy myself instead with the wonderful sacraments and devotional time/prayer rather than studying the Catechism and doctrines. Is this acceptable, or is it wrong?

I want to know the essentials and not worry myself about the rest of it. I want to focus on the Eucharist, reconciliation, etc. and learning the rosary and other devotions and getting into the habit of relying on these to feed my faith. I just want to enjoy my faith and relationship with Him and keep from trying to over-intellectualize things. Are there any suggestions you can give me to get into this practice and stop this cycle? Has anyone else had this experience? Any advice to keep me from overthinking is welcomed and appreciated. Also, whenever I come back into the church I am sometimes sporadically attacked with odd and even sometimes disturbing random thoughts. :eek:I’m not crazy, but this is concerning me a bit. Does this pass? Any ideas?
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I believe the Lord is calling you ( as he did me) to a simpler life of prayer and a simpler life of the spirit.

My weekly routine; and this is what works for me. (caveat)

Rosary everyday. Once a week (Tuesdays) in family at the same time. My main intention is for the poor souls in purgatory. Whatever other intentions there may be, always the souls in purgatory are in my prayers.

Once or twice a month I go to confession. Confession is the inexhaustible source of renewable grace…why limit myself to just once or twice a year?

Go to mass every Sunday and Holy Day.

Carry and wear my sacramentals: Brown Scapular; Rosary (in my pocket). Never leave home without them.

I also serve my catholic congregation during mass and wherever the Lord may deign to use me.

Other than this…my job is to pray. In the quiet and in the still…there He is.
 
Dragonfly5 said:
As someone who periodically has experienced doubt and left the Church, only to return, I’m trying to avoid “overthinking” things and just work on my relationship with Jesus. Since I tend to jump into things headfirst and try to learn everything there is to know about Catholicism I tend to burn out. It’s like I get tired of overthinking and give up, if that makes any sense. To combat this tendency(which almost just took me from the church again:blush:) I am trying to simplify and busy myself instead with the wonderful sacraments and devotional time/prayer rather than studying the Catechism and doctrines. Is this acceptable, or is it wrong?

I want to know the essentials and not worry myself about the rest of it. I want to focus on the Eucharist, reconciliation, etc. and learning the rosary and other devotions and getting into the habit of relying on these to feed my faith. I just want to enjoy my faith and relationship with Him and keep from trying to over-intellectualize things. Are there any suggestions you can give me to get into this practice and stop this cycle? Has anyone else had this experience? Any advice to keep me from overthinking is welcomed and appreciated. Also, whenever I come back into the church I am sometimes sporadically attacked with odd and even sometimes disturbing random thoughts. :eek:I’m not crazy, but this is concerning me a bit. Does this pass? Any ideas?
Click to expand...
Just as in any other study, one must find the basic principles, called first principles, that are at the heart of the faith. Far from discarding, one must categorize properly all the elements correctly based on truth. St. Thomas Aquinas’ Summa’s are a fine example of
the type of science of theology that bases conclusions on relation to known true principles. This allowed him to know a majority of the faith through their relation to first principles. This is true of anyone well versed in whatever field of study they are in. You drive a car without running through all the myriad of possible rules to apply to every changing situation but instead have developed categories of info based on basic principles as needed in typical situations.

The concentrating on doing the Will of the Father is the basic principle of the Gospel with the two main commandments are Love of God then the love of neighbor. God’s Grace is necessary to do any good so the basic principle is the state of grace which is required to allow the Holy Spirit in and is the basis for listing to Christ as the Father commanded the apostles to do at the Transfiguration. We are lead by God, by His Spirit, when we don’t turn away from Him in desiring His Creation over Him, even our own life. Being moved by God at His pace and where He wants us is to our eventual eternal beatitude. This seems to me to be the combination of simple and profound that the Church teaches and is the result of the Church’s study of God working in and through Her.
 
GreggAlvarez said:
Sorry about that. Haha… I did not mean it to be sarcasm. I really meant it.
Gregg
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Your original advice was very sound. Mine (I hope) echoed it. Some of the advice for “simplifying” looks quite heavy and complex to me.
 
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