I'm a horrible Catholic

[Gottle_of_Geer]

After reading another post on this forum, it got me to thinking just how awful a Catholic I am.

Here is part of my post:

I feel like a hypocrite! I mean, I DO believe in God and all the Church teaches, it’s just when I am out in public I get embarrassed and now I feel like all the changes I have been trying to make in my life (going back to Church regularly, going to Confession regularly, saying the daily Rosary, praying for others) are moot if I am not overcoming this! This is really, bothering me and I need some guidance as I feel that now when I pray God is probably not wanting to hear from me because of this! :crying:

I know probably no one has this problem but me, and I don’t deserve guidance, but how can I get through this? What is wrong with me? I am going to speak with my priest on Saturday, but what do I do in the meantime? Part of me is embarrassed to even admit this, but I’ve got to do something.

Don’t worry - if you prefer, “Fear not !” And that is meant seriously. ​

If we keep our eyes on our sins, & not on Christ, discouragement is guaranteed. Discouragement is not a gift of God - faith is, hope is, & above all, love is. Better even than love is Christ Himself.

God is not like us - if He looked upon us unfavourably, He would not have given us His Son, His Beloved Son, on Whom His favour rests, to take our sin & sinfulness upon Himself: Jesus Christ, Who is God Incarnate, would not have died a horrible death for us - nor would He have been “raised again for our justification”. Nor would He have sent us His own Spirit. Yet this is only a small part of what He has done for us, & will do until the end of the world.* That* is how much God is prepared to do for us. Does He not realise we deserve nothing good from Him ? What we deserve, is far less important than what He is prepared to do for us. That is how generous, merciful, ready & eager to forgive He is.

We must not think God is as lacking in pity & mercy as we are. No: God is to be loved - by us; not seen as an ogre. God is not an ogre, but “Our Father” - if that were not so, why does Jesus Himself teach us to pray “Our Father…” ? Weren’t His disciples sinners - just like us ?

What is the Father like ? He is like Jesus His Son: to see Jesus, is to see His Father; far from being different or opposed, they agree perfectly. So we have no right to be discouraged - for God Himself is on our side, to help us.

You may well not feel like telling God you love Him & trust Him & believe Him - so that (IMO) is **exactly **what you should do. Don’t be guided by how you feel - go against your feelings if you have to, & believe, despite your feelings if need be, that God’s love & mercy is for you. This needs faith; & faith is for times like this; so use your faith. That is why it is given us - it is meant to be used. If we don’t use it, it won’t grow.

Hope this helps

 

[MSParrott]

When my mom passed away a few years ago. we had these little prayer cards with her name & her birth/death dates on the back including a little prayer - and on the front is a picture of the Holy Family. Jesus is just a little boy and the Blessed Mother and St. Joseph are around Him, they’re standing in a field with flowers. Anyway, I took one of the cards with me to work on Friday and hung it on the wall in my cubicle (it’s positioned so that I can view it throughout the day). Part of me was hesitant to put it there, but I did it anyway, because I’m NOT ashamed to love Him. And when I look at it, it really fills me with peace. It seems to help me get through the day and make me stronger. Please know I’m not saying this to boast (at all!) - it’s just baby steps for me, and hopefully this experience will help me to grow spiritually and make my love for God grow to be as it should.