If Jesus said ...

[Andruschak]

^^^ (gulp)

I think your observation is really honing in on what He truly meant.

This because, it is the one single statement thus far that has actually p(name removed by moderator)ointed what I have been personally experiencing.

Anyone care to try and draw out more from what puzzleannie has said?

As I mentioned to you previoussly, Psalm 51. I suggest you read it carefully.

 

[FiremanFrank]

As I mentioned to you previoussly, Psalm 51. I suggest you read it carefully.

Please don’t assume that I didn’t A.

I read it using 10 different bible translations.

So, as I said …

Does anyone have any additional relections as it relates to puzzleannie’s remarks on contrite sacrifices and carrying one’s own cross?

Becuase this is what has been profoundly mirrored in my life now for more than a decade.

Seriously, seriously mirrored.

 

[Kevin42]

For you do not desire sacrifice; a burnt offering you would not accept. My sacrifice, God, is a broken spirit; God, do not spurn a broken, humbled heart.

Along with the other posters, that’s as far as my mind will go right now. Sorry . (It is a beautiful passage either way though…hence why I quoted it still )

 

[FiremanFrank]

Along with the other posters, that’s as far as my mind will go right now. Sorry . (It is a beautiful passage either way though…hence why I quoted it still )

Without doubt, that is a great passage Kevin.

In our current post-Resurrection times, Catholics regularly do “offer up” sacrifices as an accepted part of our faith.

I guees that’s where the reality of the “broken spirit” comes in as well.

The part that I don’t understand is why the exact phrase of “… for the Passover” was used in the here and now.

So puzzleannie’s use of a “contrite sacrifice” and “carrying one’s own cross” along with your addition of a “broken spirit” is really starting to make sense to me.

They are the only concepts that have directly applied to my life thus far.

Thank You Kevin.

P.S. I notice in your profile that you have a link to startrekvoyager.com

Believe it or not, I also have a great affection for the Voyager series. Who would have guessed …

 

[puzzleannie]

^^^ (gulp)

IAnyone care to try and draw out more from what puzzleannie has said?

all I could add, from personal reflection, since I am in no position and have no competence to advise any individual, is that in my experience, taking up my Cross, while in a spiritual state similar to that being described, means identifying the one habit or attachment that has the strongest hold on me, which I am most reluctant to break, and attacking it, through prayer and fasting, return to the sacraments, fidelity in prayer and obtaining specific help (spiritual direction and, at times, prof. counselling) in breaking the harmful habit or attachment.

 

[FiremanFrank]

all I could add, from personal reflection, since I am in no position and have no competence to advise any individual, is that in my experience, taking up my Cross, while in a spiritual state similar to that being described, means identifying the one habit or attachment that has the strongest hold on me, which I am most reluctant to break, and attacking it, through prayer and fasting, return to the sacraments, fidelity in prayer and obtaining specific help (spiritual direction and, at times, prof. counselling) in breaking the harmful habit or attachment.

While your above statement is theologically sound, this is not what I’ve been experiencing.

For me, it’s been an amalgamation of many, many new crosses that are given to me to experience.

Like I’m kind of getting a good rounding out of how to deal with people’s spite, hate, calumny, deceptions, lies, accusations, etc.

That’s more like what I’ve been experiencing, and in numbers that I never thought humanly possible.

Do you kind of understand what I’m saying now?

P.S. If you read my testimony in the “Benefits of Persecution” thread (post #24), maybe you’ll get a better idea of what I’m trying to convey.

 

[Mintaka]

It’s really sweet that you’re asking our opinion, but the Internet is no substitute for a good priest’s advice, asked for and given face to face. We don’t have the same graces and training; we don’t stand in persona Christi.

Consulting a priest and following his advice is always pleasing to Christ. It also is strongly recommended by all the saints and mystics. So don’t waste time on us.

 

[puzzleannie]

this forum is not the ideal place for an individual to solicit advice on an individual personal problem, whether that problem is spiritual, psychological, medical, marriage etc. About the best you can hope for here is persons sharing their own experience (through their own filters), or advice that mixes so much error and misinformation with the valuable stuff as to be worse than useless, downright dangerous. There is no substitute for consulting a professional in the field that relates to the immediate difficulty, and for spiritual woes that begins with the priest in confession, and from there, a regular spiritual director.

 

[FiremanFrank]

It’s really sweet that you’re asking our opinion, but the Internet is no substitute for a good priest’s advice

Not really asking for advice, just some thoughts.

Consulting a priest and following his advice is always pleasing to Christ. It also is strongly recommended by all the saints and mystics. So don’t waste time on us.

Not a waste of time. Also, you forgot that “where two or three are gathered, there am I”.

We can’t negate one of God’s commands for another.

It’s all good …

this forum is not the ideal place for an individual to solicit advice on an individual personal problem, whether that problem is spiritual, psychological, medical, marriage etc.

I agree, and have said as much myself.

That’s why I havn’t done that.

(^^^See my answer to Mintaka)

About the best you can hope for here is persons sharing their own experience (through their own filters), or advice that mixes so much error and misinformation with the valuable stuff as to be worse than useless, downright dangerous.

Wow p/annie, you really are taking my intentions as to what I started this thread for way too seriously.

But that’s ok though, I know you mean well!

There is no substitute for consulting a professional in the field that relates to the immediate difficulty, and for spiritual woes that begins with the priest in confession, and from there, a regular spiritual director.

“Difficulty?” “Spiritual woes?”

Easy up there girlie!

As I said, I was just asking for people’s thoughts on something.

And that was all …