I was really disappointed in my parish today

[Sheeniac]

But I’ve grown tired of holier than thou individuals who think they’re perfect (even when you claim you’re a sinner, you or “religious” people in general still act all-knowing and self righteous, never wrong, always immaculate).

Some people who think they know so much, know little when it comes to human beings.

My take on things (and this carries over from my 25 years of atheism) is that life is typically more simple than we think, but certainly not easier.

Perhaps what comes across as ‘holier than thou’ is merely stating the facts as we believe them to be true. Of course, while some things are simple in my mind, it doesn’t make them any easier. I’m not speaking to anything on this thread in particular, but please don’t assume that because we state something with confidence, that we think any of it is easy OR that we don’t struggle with the same thing at times as well.

 

[FindTruth7]

To Find Truth 7,

  If all you have to hang onto right now in your struggles with faith is "Mother Mary" as you so beautifully put it, hang onto her for all you are worth. She will never allow you to stay lost. She is the perfect mother, always unselfish, always tender and loving, always sweet, and so deeply... concerned about each of us. She will find a way to lead you to the Truth, and Her Son Jesus. She is such a powerful intercessor before God on our behalf.  
  My husband has a mother that... well let's just say that she is a very toxic person in relationships. Because of that I keep encouraging my husband to turn to Mary Our Mother for help, because as human beings we all have a deep need of a loving mother. And quite frankly not everyone gets one of those on this earth. Which is why Jesus gave us His Most kind and loving Mother. He knew we would need her.
     So far my husband has not taken my advice. But if he ever does I know he will get so much help with all his struggles. And Our Blessed Mother Mary will ask Jesus to give my husband so many graces of healing. It's all about free will. God sends us so many graces to help us in our struggles, but sometimes we don't even notice them when they are right in front of us.
It could be something we see written somewhere, or something a person says to us, or something that happens in our day, or Jesus sending His Mother to help us. But we watch every grace come and go without ever saying yes to any of them. God never forgets about us....not ever. If we ask Him to help us... He will. Often not in a way that we expect, so it is good to notice the unexpected. And what is most fascinating is, that when we do recognize God's way of answering our prayers and helping us, we are filled with awe. His ways are so superior to anything we could have asked for, or expected. He knows us better than we know ourselves. After all He is God. All the best in your search. Whatever you do, don't lose hope. I have just been through the worst five years of my life, and this painful trial I am in hasn't ended yet. It seems to go on, and on, and on...forever. I have run out of patience many times. I have seen myself at my worst. But... I also know that because I persevere many graces are at work in my life and in the lives of those around me that I am always praying for.
 Sometimes people expect too much from us, but God doesn't. He knows when we are ready for something and when we are not. I have felt like it was all I could do for five years just to tread water. Other people around me are always bellowing that I should be this or that. They expect me to be all virtuous and stuff. Meanwhile I am just thrilled that God has given me the grace not to jump off a bridge somewhere. There have been days when I thought about it. Having faith does not insulate us from suffering or self doubts or confusion. Sometimes faith simply gives us the strength to weather the storms.It isn't until the storm is over that we see that God was with us the whole time, even and especially when we felt utterly alone and abandoned by everyone. That is the way I feel right now in my life. Utterly alone and abandoned by all. 
      Please don't despair. I assure you that in your utter loneliness, that God is with you too. Just as He is with me, even though I cannot feel His Presence at all in my life. God will never leave us orphans. He loves us whether we love Him back or not. When we feel so wretched that we don't even love ourselves, God still loves us. God is love. He is a loving and merciful Father. Some people have an unhealthy and erroneous image of God. They seem to see Him as this big brute ready to swat us whenever we go astray. That is false. God is a tender, caring Father Who holds out a hand to gently lift us up when we fall. Like the story of the loving father with the prodigal son in the Bible. God is right there waiting to forgive us in His Mercy.  Hoping, always hoping we will come back to His loving embrace..  I understand your pain. You are not alone.

You melted me into a puddle of goo! thank you hugs

 

[FindTruth7]

My take on things (and this carries over from my 25 years of atheism) is that life is typically more simple than we think, but certainly not easier.

Perhaps what comes across as ‘holier than thou’ is merely stating the facts as we believe them to be true. Of course, while some things are simple in my mind, it doesn’t make them any easier. I’m not speaking to anything on this thread in particular, but please don’t assume that because we state something with confidence, that we think any of it is easy OR that we don’t struggle with the same thing at times as well.

I used to be an atheist too.

 

[FindTruth7]

FindTruth7;4098937:

In loving respect, seriously, back off friend. You don’t know me, my past, my thoughts, where I’ve been, WHAT I’VE BEEN THROUGH, the different people I’ve communed with, or anything about me!

Everyone on this thread knows only what you tell in your posts. There has been much dialog between this thread and yourself. I find we are just going “around in circles” invariabley ending back to square #1.

I will comply with your “back off” demand as of now.

Good luck to you!

nods

 

[FindTruth7]

Dear FindTruth7,

I don’t know if this fits in with anything, but I thought I’d add it:
I used to read psalms and wonder how these people could sincerely and joyfully praise God. It seemed like the most forced, unnatural thing to do. However, I started to ask God for the gift of praising Him with joy. I guess I kind of nagged Him because, after awhile, I did find joy in recognizing His Goodness, Power, Mercy and other aspects of His Being. It was then that the psalms started to come alive for me. This has spilled over into how I pray at mass and elsewhere.

I remember thinking as a kid that heaven has to be so booooooooooooooring 'cause all you do is glorify God. The only reason to go there is to avoid the alternative – continual suffering. Well, it turns out that this would be the furthest thing from the truth. I’m from Chicago and I remember enjoying replay after replay after replay of Michael Jordan’s key baskets. There are times that I just stare at the flowers in my garden. Waterfalls, forest scenes, even top-notch architecture will have me in awestruck appreciation at times. Imagine – well, we can’t, but you know what I mean – the Beatific Vision, learning about and loving the Presence of God 24/7 – well, there’s no 24/7 in eternity.

Hopefully, this rambling makes some sense. (Sorry if it doesn’t.) Ask God for the gift to praise Him with joy. And ask Him again. And again. And again. Maybe the prayers of the mass will lift you up the way they do me – most of the time. In any case, you’re in the prayers of many and most importantly, in heart of Jesus.

God bless,
Dan

I understand, and thanks.