I'd be happier as a Protestant. BUT

[Sailor_Kenshin]

As an almost lifelong Catholic wannabe, I began attending Mass a year before I even thought of (or knew about!) RCIA.

We used to go to dinner after Vigil Mass and excitedly discuss the readings and homily.

And I recall the joy I felt when we attended our first Easter Sunday Mass. (before conversion). I practically danced out of the church: YAAAY! We did it! Now I can peel off my ‘grownup’ clothes and go out to brunch!

I remember silently praying during the RCIA scrutiny: PLEASE find me worthy! Please!

All that is gone now. I feel no joy whatever. I drag myself to Mass with gritted teeth because I must.

Here’s how I sum up the differences between Protestants and Catholics. (Please, no hue and cry; I know I’m missing important stuff, et cetera. I’m just trying to 'splain my dilemma):

Protestants: If God favors you, He gives you a Cadillac.

Catholics: If God favors you, He breaks both your legs and dumps you down a well.

Many Protestants live their lives as I wish Catholics would. They are forthright against abortion, homosexual ‘marriage,’ and the wanton destruction of our Constitution. And they are not afraid to say it aloud. We are supposed to do that, too, but often we remain silent. Why? Because we want to seem sophisticated?

I know that if I went to a Protestant church, I would be petted and told what a good person I am. On the other hand, I feel nothing from our Church but condemnation. I’m not good enough. I’m not holy enough. I’m not praying enough. I’m not poor enough. Whatever.

I find no comfort in the things I used to like because I believe they are forbidden me now. “You must be perfect even as your Father is perfect.” I’m not perfect and never can be.

We are commanded to ignore the things of this world, but after so many decades of pure heathenism, I don’t ‘get’ this. I always feel like I’m trying to shoehorn myself into some place I don’t belong and some person I can never be.

BUT.

But. But.

I KNOW this is the right church. And once you know the truth, how can you pretend not to, no matter how miserable you are?

I just wish I had my happy back.

 

[Catholic_Kenpo]

Father Corapi always says that love is a decision, not an emotion. It would be nice to feel the way I felt at my first Mass all the time, but the reality is that I can’t. We just aren’t made to sustain that kind of emotional state indefinitely. Now that I’ve been Catholic for a few years, I’ve kind of settled into the routine of it. More often than not, I feel my prayers are going unanswered or into nothingness. When I get this sensation, I think back to Fr. Corapi’s words and remind myself of the decision I made to follow Christ to the best of my abilities. I think about my conversion experience and why I made that decision in the first place. When I think about the reasons behind my decision to love Jesus and follow Him, I know that what happens between that time and the time I’m called to meet Him may well be difficult, but the rewards will be well worth the effort.

May God richly bless you in all you do.
-CK

 

[Monica4316]

As an almost lifelong Catholic wannabe, I began attending Mass a year before I even thought of (or knew about!) RCIA.

We used to go to dinner after Vigil Mass and excitedly discuss the readings and homily.

And I recall the joy I felt when we attended our first Easter Sunday Mass. (before conversion). I practically danced out of the church: YAAAY! We did it! Now I can peel off my ‘grownup’ clothes and go out to brunch!

I remember silently praying during the RCIA scrutiny: PLEASE find me worthy! Please!

All that is gone now. I feel no joy whatever. I drag myself to Mass with gritted teeth because I must.

Here’s how I sum up the differences between Protestants and Catholics. (Please, no hue and cry; I know I’m missing important stuff, et cetera. I’m just trying to 'splain my dilemma):

Protestants: If God favors you, He gives you a Cadillac.

Catholics: If God favors you, He breaks both your legs and dumps you down a well.

Many Protestants live their lives as I wish Catholics would. They are forthright against abortion, homosexual ‘marriage,’ and the wanton destruction of our Constitution. And they are not afraid to say it aloud. We are supposed to do that, too, but often we remain silent. Why? Because we want to seem sophisticated?

I know that if I went to a Protestant church, I would be petted and told what a good person I am. On the other hand, I feel nothing from our Church but condemnation. I’m not good enough. I’m not holy enough. I’m not praying enough. I’m not poor enough. Whatever.

I find no comfort in the things I used to like because I believe they are forbidden me now. “You must be perfect even as your Father is perfect.” I’m not perfect and never can be.

We are commanded to ignore the things of this world, but after so many decades of pure heathenism, I don’t ‘get’ this. I always feel like I’m trying to shoehorn myself into some place I don’t belong and some person I can never be.

BUT.

But. But.

I KNOW this is the right church. And once you know the truth, how can you pretend not to, no matter how miserable you are?

I just wish I had my happy back.

the Saints said, - God’s love is shown by the sufferings He sends us. We’re actually more worthy of consolations than to share in Christ’s suffering! He gives this to those who are close to His Heart.

I used to be Protestant and I do think it’s more of a “feel good” faith, but does it matter? there’s more grace in the Church… We receive Jesus into ourselves at Mass. What could be greater than that? And that’s real joy… if you don’t feel joy right now, maybe you’re just going through spiritual dryness, which is NORMAL. feelings change, and sometimes we feel close to God, and other times we don’t… what matters is staying faithful to Him through all those times. Heaven is when we’ll see God and will rejoice in Him forever, this life is to learn to love Him and to please Him. We please God when we follow Him despite all our feelings/confusion/dryness in prayer. (and this never lasts anyway, sooner or later God brings the consolations back to strengthen us).

God bless

 

[SpaceNeedle]

Ahhh, the attractiveness of prosperity theology amongst other things.

I’ve got a friend on Facebook. Grew up together. Hardcore evangelical; she always has been. Oh boy oh boy oh boy, the going on about her perfect children and perfect husband and perfect wonderful beautiful life and all the excellent trappings it has. And how great their church is (they have socials, watch movies, etc., pretty much sounds like a non-stop party) and how everyone is missing out. And how Everything. Is. Great!

I roll my eyes every so rarely, I admit.

I don’t how I can say this that it makes sense “in type” (everything makes sense in my head, LOL) but truly, it may be time for you to “hit the next level”. For me, I volunteer in the soup kitchen and with St. Vincent de Paul. A lot. A lot a lot. And I will also admit to you I get crabby some nights. Come home from work, wish I could veg out. Watch a movie. Whatever.

But it is through this: Reconciliation, Eucharist, Works, Rosary; all consecutive, all frequently, VERY frequently, that the incredible feeling comes back. I mean, when it hits, and you really, really are feeling the Holy Spirit guiding you, it is awesome. I too had gotten “blah”, but realized Mass was not enough, and was never intended to be enough.

Between my evangelical friend with the Perfect. Life. Ever! And my Episcopalian friend with the gay priest who loves everybody and is more like a motivational speaker/self help guru who builds up every congregant’s esteem, yeah, I occasionally have feelings like you’re having. But it just requires more work.

 

[Sailor_Kenshin]

So then we’re not allowed to be happy in this life?

 

[Monica4316]

So then we’re not allowed to be happy in this life?

receive everything as from the hand of God

if He gives you happiness in this life, thank Him and share it with others, but remember there will be crosses to carry too. If He doesn’t give you happiness in this life, thank Him for the crosses you have to bear and ask for faithfulness and strength. Accept God’s will whatever it is for you, because He knows our situations and how much we can bear.

In ANY case, this life will have some sort of suffering, whether much or little, - but try to see this as an opportunity to grow closer to God and to share in His own suffering, and also as an opportunity to love others - cause we can offer our trials to God (united to the Cross) to help souls in purgatory, sinners, etc.

Also, remember the Beatitudes, and live them…

happiness in life is not about how much we have or how ‘exciting’ our life is. There’s a happiness that goes beyond that. I know when I’m in sin, I can’t find joy in anything even things that usually bring me joy. When I know I’m doing God’s will, - there’s a happiness in that the world can’t take away. Try to be detached from the world, by seeking God’s will above all things, and try to understand His love because that is what gives us strength.

God bless

 

[Monica4316]

Ahhh, the attractiveness of prosperity theology amongst other things.

I’ve got a friend on Facebook. Grew up together. Hardcore evangelical; she always has been. Oh boy oh boy oh boy, the going on about her perfect children and perfect husband and perfect wonderful beautiful life and all the excellent trappings it has. And how great their church is (they have socials, watch movies, etc., pretty much sounds like a non-stop party) and how everyone is missing out. And how Everything. Is. Great!

I roll my eyes every so rarely, I admit.

I don’t how I can say this that it makes sense “in type” (everything makes sense in my head, LOL) but truly, it may be time for you to “hit the next level”. For me, I volunteer in the soup kitchen and with St. Vincent de Paul. A lot. A lot a lot. And I will also admit to you I get crabby some nights. Come home from work, wish I could veg out. Watch a movie. Whatever.

But it is through this: Reconciliation, Eucharist, Works, Rosary; all consecutive, all frequently, VERY frequently, that the incredible feeling comes back. I mean, when it hits, and you really, really are feeling the Holy Spirit guiding you, it is awesome. I too had gotten “blah”, but realized Mass was not enough, and was never intended to be enough.

Between my evangelical friend with the Perfect. Life. Ever! And my Episcopalian friend with the gay priest who loves everybody and is more like a motivational speaker/self help guru who builds up every congregant’s esteem, yeah, I occasionally have feelings like you’re having. But it just requires more work.

I used to be a Protestant and felt really attracted to this “Prosperity” gospel message… I think that shows how much I’m attached to the world…

but when I started reading the lives of the Saints, I saw a much different life, and it’s SOO much more holy and …real, somehow. The Prosperity gospel is all about what God can do for us… but what do we give to Him? how do we love Him? I think the Catholic Church is good at answering questions like that. Spirituality is not about our feelings or what it gives us… it’s about real authentic holiness

 

[SpaceNeedle]

So then we’re not allowed to be happy in this life?

You will be happy. Sometimes. Sometimes you will be moved to weep for others. Sometimes your heart will break. But you will often be happy…just not in a way you have experienced just yet.

Also sometimes you will see that financial security isn’t happiness. You’ll find joy in a sunrise or a light frost. You’ll find a good meal is far more delicious if you have abstained for some time. And when you can see the sufferings of others, and when you help them, you will see how much you truly have. And when those who are suffering offer up their little lot to you? Oh! Truly, nothing like it. No Five bed three bath house, no new SUV, nothing can match it.

 

[Monica4316]

Lord help us see what true happiness is found in

 

[poetryforjesus]

Perhaps this is another trial for you that you need to find out true joy that comes from only God. Was Jesus truly happy? Sure He was, but He was the first to live the poor and despised life, but His communion with God the Father made His life glorious for every moment. Perhaps God is trying to call you closer to Him, to seek His face.

If Catholicism cannot seem to bring true joy, either it is not the true religion, or you have not fully embraced the joy that it does offer. Jesus promised the abundant life, not the miserable life.

Lent might be a good season to look at what troubles you and see what the Lord is trying to show you.

I’m saying a hail Mary for you right now.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed are thou among women, blessed is the fruit of thy womb Jesus. Holy Mary Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

 

[InLight247]

So then we’re not allowed to be happy in this life?

Of course we are allowed to be happy. It is in the Bible: “Beloved, I hope you are prospering in** every** respect and are in good health, just as your soul is prospering.” (3 John 1:2)

It is a mis-conception of your saying that “If God favors you, He breaks both your legs and dumps you down a well.” God is our loving Father, He will never impose misfortune on his children. God wants us to have “the joy of the Lord” always.

We are all called to be holy, Catholics or Protestants. “You must be perfect even as your Father is perfect,” is a call to constantly work toward holiness. It is a life time goal, not a condemnation. If you feel condemned by this call, the misinterpretation is from the enemy, not from God. The fruit of the Holy Spirit is love, peace and joy.

When we set our priorities right, follow God’s will and work hard, God will bless us in every way of our lives so we may become a blessing to others. That does not mean we will not face hardships and trials. Hardships and trials are unavoidable as long as we live. But we can experience God’s power and grace in tough time, and our character will become finer and stronger.

 

[Monica4316]

It is a mis-conception of your saying that “If God favors you, He breaks both your legs and dumps you down a well.” God is our loving Father, He will never impose misfortune on his children. God wants us to have “the joy of the Lord” always.

I agree that God wants us to have joy but often He gives us crosses to bear too… joy is not the absense of suffering

 

[Lief_Erikson]

Sailor Kenshin, I think right now you’re going through a combination of exterior suffering and interior suffering (fighting temptation is also a form of suffering). You are now paying a price for your faith, but as you will persevere, you will find the value far exceeds the temporary suffering one must experience along the way.

Here’s how I sum up the differences between Protestants and Catholics. (Please, no hue and cry; I know I’m missing important stuff, et cetera. I’m just trying to 'splain my dilemma):

Protestants: If God favors you, He gives you a Cadillac.

Catholics: If God favors you, He breaks both your legs and dumps you down a well.

LOL! So true! And so like the Beatitudes.

Luke 6:20-26 (New International Version)

20Looking at his disciples, he said:
"Blessed are you who are poor,
for yours is the kingdom of God.
21Blessed are you who hunger now,
for you will be satisfied.
Blessed are you who weep now,
for you will laugh.
22Blessed are you when men hate you,
when they exclude you and insult you
and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man.

23"Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their fathers treated the prophets.
24"But woe to you who are rich,
for you have already received your comfort.
25Woe to you who are well fed now,
for you will go hungry.
Woe to you who laugh now,
for you will mourn and weep.
26Woe to you when all men speak well of you,
for that is how their fathers treated the false prophets.

Many Protestants live their lives as I wish Catholics would. They are forthright against abortion, homosexual ‘marriage,’ and the wanton destruction of our Constitution. And they are not afraid to say it aloud. We are supposed to do that, too, but often we remain silent. Why? Because we want to seem sophisticated?

Many Protestants are silent too. And many Catholics are noisy. Just Google: USCCB, abortion, health bill.

In my parish, we have a society against abortion that hold rallies outside abortion clinics, and we have a society dedicated to helping the poor and needy, and we have a society dedicated to evangelism, and many others.

Truly vibrant and loving people are all over the place in my parish. Your experience really depends where you go.

I recommend finding out if your parish has any of those kinds of activities. The church bulletin should tell you a lot. If your parish does have these kinds of things going on, like the Legion of Mary or Society of St. Vincent de Paul, get in touch with them and you’ll start making some really valuable friends.

Daily Mass is also a really good place to make new friends. The people who attend Daily Mass are often the “cream of the crop,” one might say, though this is certainly a big generalization. There are lots of wonderful Catholics who attend Sunday Masses only and there are some lousy ones who attend Daily Mass, but Daily Mass is where I’ve encountered the most faithful, devout and loving Catholics in my parish.

I know that if I went to a Protestant church, I would be petted and told what a good person I am. On the other hand, I feel nothing from our Church but condemnation. I’m not good enough. I’m not holy enough. I’m not praying enough. I’m not poor enough. Whatever.

Sounds like you need to experience more of the joy of freedom in Christ.

Christ’s commands, and those of His Church, are not burdensome. We grow bit by bit and keep this scripture passage in mind:

**2 Cor. 9:7, “Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” **

That’s the key passage that helps a devout believer grow in Christ more joyfully. Growth in Christ is step by step, not leap by leap, except in rare cases. Provided we are seeking God with a sincere heart, willing to make sacrifices for Him as called, we can grow in Him bit by bit. We need to be moving toward Him and not away, but we aren’t required to do pious activities (like daily Rosary) out of a sense of legalism. This should be undertaken for joy and love if undertaken at all. It should be done because we want to offer it to God. If what we are giving to God is making us mad at Him rather than more loving of Him, something is wrong with us, and we need to center back on that love.

Though it’s true that sometimes we just have to grit and bear it, like if it’s something exterior (exterior persecutions or hardships and the like) or beyond our control (like having made a vow to God or something).

I find no comfort in the things I used to like because I believe they are forbidden me now. “You must be perfect even as your Father is perfect.” I’m not perfect and never can be.

We are commanded to ignore the things of this world, but after so many decades of pure heathenism, I don’t ‘get’ this.

You mean like movies, chocolates or fun books? You can still have those, provided they don’t draw you into sin.

Coming to dislike the things of the world for the sake of Christ is a natural process, not something we are asked to force onto ourselves. As we come to love God more, worldly things we used to enjoy come to feel petty and a waste of time in comparison to the Love we are poured out into. This isn’t something you need to force on yourself. It’s something that happens naturally, spontaneously, as you draw closer and closer to God out of love. It’s something that happens to you over time rather than something you should force upon yourself through legalism.

 

[shondrea]

I’m sorry if you are feeling unhappy. I don’t however believe that it is in church teachings that we are to be unhappy or not appreciate the earth.

God made the world, and everything in it. He made it beautiful and wonderful and amazing so we could enjoy it! I just came inside from playing with my dog, beautiful, wonderful creations God put on this earth, and it made me happy!

There is nothing wrong with enjoying what God put on this earth for us to enjoy. If we weren’t suppose to enjoy the simple delights of the world, then chocolate wouldn’t taste so good!

But it’s all about remembering, this is only temporary happiness, and can’t compare to the joy we’ll have in heaven. I love playing with my Border Collie, I love watching DIsney movies with my friend, I love a good new book. I enjoy these things and take pleasure in them, but know they are only temporary joys. I find great joy in painting and drawing. God blessed me with this talent so I COULD enjoy it!

It’s just all about knowing that while God wants us to be able to take pleasure n what he’s made, we should always remember; it is GOD who is making us happy, through the ways he has shown he is still all around us.

I’ll go back to my dogs again. I know everybody has a differnt thought of what happens to our beloved animals when they die, but I look at my beautiful boy, my sweet girl, and know it was God who made them specially, and God who allowed me to love them. I see God’s love in them.

Find pleasure in a sweater your mother gives you, but find more pleasure in your mothers love, because she had you in her thoughts as she picked it out especially for you and wanted you to be warm.

 

[JaredR]

So then we’re not allowed to be happy in this life?

That’s definitely not the case. I am actually going through a Catholic study book right now about happiness (The Search for Happiness by Fr. Lukefahr), and one of the teachings of the Church is that God made us to be happy. The Catechism says the desire for happiness is in every human’s heart and that God wants to satisfy that desire. We just have to learn how to be happy.

 

[Monica4316]

It seems to me that the problem is when we get so attached to our earthly happiness that we believe it comes from these worldly things… we should recognize that every good gift comes from God, and seek Him first, above all the gifts and realize that our TRUE and deepest joy is Christ, and that is why we were created. I’m the type of person to appreciate the little simple things in life too… we just need to remember they come from God and remember where our true home lies we’re pilgrims right now… St Padre Pio encourages us to keep our eyes on the eternal in this way: “Keep your eyes fixed on Him who is your guide to the heavenly country, where He is leading you. What does it matter to you whether Jesus wishes to guide you to Heaven by way of the desert or by the meadow, so long as He is always with you and you arrive at the possession of a blessed eternity?” and: “In all the events of life, you must recognize the Divine will. Adore and bless it, especially in the things which are the hardest for you.”

God bless

 

[shondrea]

I agree. When you read a good book, it’s because God gave someone a talent for words. A beautiful picture is someone God gifted with a skilled pair of hands. I see things, moments, earthly pleasures as sort of a way for God to directly see him on earth, as long as we are always mindful to be thankful that he has blessed us with them

 

[Sailor_Kenshin]

I’m sorry if you are feeling unhappy. I don’t however believe that it is in church teachings that we are to be unhappy or not appreciate the earth.

God made the world, and everything in it. He made it beautiful and wonderful and amazing so we could enjoy it! I just came inside from playing with my dog, beautiful, wonderful creations God put on this earth, and it made me happy!

There is nothing wrong with enjoying what God put on this earth for us to enjoy. If we weren’t suppose to enjoy the simple delights of the world, then chocolate wouldn’t taste so good!

But it’s all about remembering, this is only temporary happiness, and can’t compare to the joy we’ll have in heaven. I love playing with my Border Collie, I love watching DIsney movies with my friend, I love a good new book. I enjoy these things and take pleasure in them, but know they are only temporary joys. I find great joy in painting and drawing. God blessed me with this talent so I COULD enjoy it!

It’s just all about knowing that while God wants us to be able to take pleasure n what he’s made, we should always remember; it is GOD who is making us happy, through the ways he has shown he is still all around us.

I’ll go back to my dogs again. I know everybody has a differnt thought of what happens to our beloved animals when they die, but I look at my beautiful boy, my sweet girl, and know it was God who made them specially, and God who allowed me to love them. I see God’s love in them.

Find pleasure in a sweater your mother gives you, but find more pleasure in your mothers love, because she had you in her thoughts as she picked it out especially for you and wanted you to be warm.

If you only knew. I will not say just now why that stabs me through the heart.

But Dean Koontz does agree with you about the dogs!

A lot of interesting and valuable answers, everyone. Thanks. I will be back Monday. Can’t wait to see what else I find.

 

[shondrea]

You might be surprised that I do, Kenshi-kun. I’ve never known a loving mother myself. I just know it’s the most common way of expressing earthly love.

Ah, Dean Koontz and his Trixie!

 

[Holly3278]

So then we’re not allowed to be happy in this life?

Whoever said that we’re not allowed to be happy during this life? God wants us to be happy during this life but prosperity theology is still wrong. The whole “prosperity Gospel” is nothing but heresy.