In RCIA and want to become Catholic, but not worthy?

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leigh2015

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Hi all,

First off, forgive me if this post is a bit of a rant session from me.

I was introduced to Catholicism about a year ago and since then I have been studying the Catholic faith and praying about whether or not this is the right path for me. I was raised in a family that didn’t practice any type of religion, though my parents were Christians before I was around. I have never known much about Christianity in general until I felt like it was something I needed to pursue when I started college about 2 and a half years ago. Since then, there have been many ups and downs but I have never felt as close to God as I have in the last year since I have been attending mass and thinking about becoming Catholic. I started RCIA this last August and I have been attending up until now. I have had my doubts along the way, but I decided to continue attending if for nothing else but to learn more about Christianity/Catholicism. Right now, we’re reaching a point in RCIA where we’re deciding if we would like to enter the Church at Easter (where I would be baptized, confirmed, and receive Holy Communion for the first time). I’ve fallen so much in love with Catholicism that I want to enter the Church and I have felt like God is calling me there in prayer, but there is one major thing I am struggling with: worthiness. I was 100% sure I wanted to enter the Church just a few months ago and now I’m scared that I’m just not good enough and reconsidering if this lifestyle is one I am meant to have. I have always tried to live my life being the best person I can be and I am worried that this is a calling to holiness that I can just never live up to. After all, receiving the Body and Blood of Christ is a pretty big deal and I am not sure how I could ever feel like I should be doing such. I know we are all unworthy of Christ’s perfect gift, but how do you get past this and accept that that is how great Christ’s love is for us? I’m just not sure where to go from here and if anyone else has ever gone through something similar.

Thank you for any advice you can give and God Bless!
 
I wish I could come up with a fancier and more eloquent reply, as I once struggled with these same types of thoughts, myself, but I can only give what I know to be true, in the only way I know to express it:

You aren’t worthy. I’m not worthy. None of us is worthy. If we were capable of being worthy, Jesus wouldn’t have needed to bother with the whole incarnation/being tortured/dying/resurrecting/becoming our Eucharistic nourishment thing. That’s the beauty of it. The awesome and humbling beauty. We aren’t worthy, yet He did it and He’s waiting for us to receive Him.

If it helps you at all, please be assured, if you make frequent reception of the Sacraments of Confession and Eucharist, over time, your life will become MUCH easier to live in a way that’s pleasing to God. There are abundant graces in those Sacraments…and those graces are what enables us to become better people, overall, and to withstand temptations that might now seem irresistible.

You will be in my prayers.
 
Read the lives of the saints. There have been all kinds of “unworthy” rascals that turned their lives around to become great saints. It is not about being worthy, it is about loving God so much that your only goal in this life is to do whatever you are called to do to spend eternity with Him. You are on the right path.
 
I atm just stunned that Christ called me back into His Church. I am soooo not worthy, but God loves me anyway!

But I think that that point is that without God, we are all unworthy. We even tell God we are unworthy each Sunday: Lord I am not worthy that You should come under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.

We cannot begin to approach anything close to the point a human could attain in the way if worthiness without God’s help!

Gid doesn’t want us to enter His Church because we are somehow worthy–He wants us to come in because it is the first step towards our cooperation with His work into making us beautiful souls.

So please don’t let this feeling keep you from wntering the Church. You love God, you want to be with Him, He’s holding His arms wide open for you–Yes!!! Go to Him!!! And always be very very grateful for His invitation!!!
 
leigh2015 said:
Hi all,

First off, forgive me if this post is a bit of a rant session from me.

I was introduced to Catholicism about a year ago and since then I have been studying the Catholic faith and praying about whether or not this is the right path for me. I was raised in a family that didn’t practice any type of religion, though my parents were Christians before I was around. I have never known much about Christianity in general until I felt like it was something I needed to pursue when I started college about 2 and a half years ago. Since then, there have been many ups and downs but I have never felt as close to God as I have in the last year since I have been attending mass and thinking about becoming Catholic. I started RCIA this last August and I have been attending up until now. I have had my doubts along the way, but I decided to continue attending if for nothing else but to learn more about Christianity/Catholicism. Right now, we’re reaching a point in RCIA where we’re deciding if we would like to enter the Church at Easter (where I would be baptized, confirmed, and receive Holy Communion for the first time). I’ve fallen so much in love with Catholicism that I want to enter the Church and I have felt like God is calling me there in prayer, but there is one major thing I am struggling with: worthiness. I was 100% sure I wanted to enter the Church just a few months ago and now I’m scared that I’m just not good enough and reconsidering if this lifestyle is one I am meant to have. I have always tried to live my life being the best person I can be and I am worried that this is a calling to holiness that I can just never live up to. After all, receiving the Body and Blood of Christ is a pretty big deal and I am not sure how I could ever feel like I should be doing such. I know we are all unworthy of Christ’s perfect gift, but how do you get past this and accept that that is how great Christ’s love is for us? I’m just not sure where to go from here and if anyone else has ever gone through something similar.

Thank you for any advice you can give and God Bless!
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I converted last year and can relate in some ways, I get what your saying about the Eucharist it is quite a privilege to partake.

Christ doesn’t expectvperfection from you, he desires faithfulness. That means when you fail, you repent and you move on.

We have a beautiful sacrament called the sacrament of reconciliation. Go as often as you like but don’t br scrupulous.

This Christian walk is a long road and as long as we continue moving the right direction you are good.

God gave us a tremendous gift, I encourage you to receive it and enjoy its grace in your life.
 
I think everybody struggles with these feelings. Once we see the sheer awesomeness of what God has done for us, it’s impossible to not want to say what St. Peter said when he first met Christ, "Depart from me Lord, for I am a sinful man!’’ (Luke 5:8)

But look at what Jesus says to Peter. He doesn’t tell him, ‘‘you’re too dirty and sinful to be around me’’ but "Do not be afraid.’’ Those words are for all of us! We should never be afraid to come to God. He loves us and wants us to be with Him. He wants to make us whole again. That’s exactly why He became man and suffered and died.

I can guarantee you these thoughts you are having are not from God, but from the devil. Remember, we’re in the middle of a spiritual war. He’s going to do everything he can to keep you from God. He WANTS you to think you can’t become Catholic because you’re not good enough. But nothing could be further from the truth. Do you stay out of a hospital because you are too sick? No, the hospital exists FOR the sick! The sicker you are, the more you need to be there. That’s what the Church is. A hospital. And the sacraments are God’s medicine. He and only He can heal you. There’s a reason you feel a longing to be Catholic. That’s God calling you my friend.

Does He want us to be holy? Does He demand a lot from us? You bet. But He doesn’t expect us to do it on our own. He gives us the grace to become the men and women we were meant to be. We just have to say yes.
 
None of us is worthy of Christ. Don’t let that that stop you. Faith is a journey.
 
Dear Leigh2015,
WE ARE ALL SINNERS SAVED BY GRACE. If I google to find the scripture address I will lose this page. Ephesians 2:Then, I Timothy 1-2 maybe. I was trying to copy and paste and failed. My memory can’t hold on to things w the frustration of trying to copy and paste, etc. To go on. Every time I go down the aisle to receive my Lord, I am humbled. When the warmth of the wine/Holy Spirit embraces and consumes me, I am overwhelmed. I am a sinner. I profess Christ and try to live Christ but He is God and I am human.
Do you realize how He is rejoicing in heaven as He feels your love moving upwards towards Him. Can you not see Him smile as He heard your thoughts and doubts about your worthiness. hen you started your spiritual journey and embraced Jesus and asked Him into your heart to guide your path, the heavenly choirs broke out in chorus. We are all lost sheep until we align ourselves w Jesus (Triune Godhead). As Jesus was baptized, we obediently follow. When we confess, we all our sins to be loosed. " What ever is bound on earth will be bound in heaven and whatever is loosed on earth will be loosed in heaven."" He who the Son sets free is free indeed" How clean we feel after confessing. Receivig communion—to be one w God, I am humbled. How could you not run up on
Easter knocking people out of your way to be the first to be baptized. TEEHEE Well, that wouldn’t be Christ. The enemy is cloudy your journey. DO NOT LET HIM ROB YOU OF ONE MOMENT OF YOUR JOY! You are joining the family of God w more questions and still bumps in the road.But your church Bible study will keep you refreshed and serving in some of the church ministries.
I hope this helps.
Your sister in the Lord,
In Christs’ love
tweedlealice
 
You are feeling apprehensive as we will soon be approaching Lent and Easter and the commitment gets closer. None of us are worthy.
Yes it will be a lifestyle change, but you will have a family of saints to help you and you will be receiving many graces. Once you begin receiving the Eucharist you will realize how wonderful the Catholic faith is. Have you read any of Scott Hahn’s books? I recommend all of them. Do you have a sponsor? Talk to your sponsor. Please continue on with your RCIA and talk to the RCIA leader if you need to.
 
I have to echo what others have said. none of us are worthy, least of all me. That is really the point of it all. Your journey is an outward sign of an inward endeavor! Welcome home! Your are where you should be!
 
Christ, having been lifted up from the earth has drawn all men to Himself. Rising from the dead He sent His life–giving Spirit upon His disciples and through Him has established His Body which is the Church as the universal sacrament of salvation. Sitting at the right hand of the Father, He is continually active in the world that He might lead men to the Church and through it join them to Himself and that He might make them partakers of His glorious life by nourishing them with His own Body and Blood. [Vatican Council II, Dogmatic Constitution on the Church Lumen gentium 48]

Mary Mother of God, except for you we would not have Jesus and except for you we would not have the Eucharist, which is Jesus in our midst today.
Obtain for us something of your deep faith in the Blessed Sacrament. Grant that we may follow your example here on earth, so that we may share in the joy that you now experience in the visible company of your Divine Son and Our Lord. Amen
 
Keep going! This idea of “unworthiness” is Satan trying to break your will.

You might find the Blessed Julian of Norwich’s book “Revelations of Divine Love” helpful.
 
Thank you all for your kind, encouraging words and advice. I will keep you all in my prayers. 🙂
 
leigh2015 said:
Hi all,

First off, forgive me if this post is a bit of a rant session from me.

I was introduced to Catholicism about a year ago and since then I have been studying the Catholic faith and praying about whether or not this is the right path for me. I was raised in a family that didn’t practice any type of religion, though my parents were Christians before I was around. I have never known much about Christianity in general until I felt like it was something I needed to pursue when I started college about 2 and a half years ago. Since then, there have been many ups and downs but I have never felt as close to God as I have in the last year since I have been attending mass and thinking about becoming Catholic. I started RCIA this last August and I have been attending up until now. I have had my doubts along the way, but I decided to continue attending if for nothing else but to learn more about Christianity/Catholicism. Right now, we’re reaching a point in RCIA where we’re deciding if we would like to enter the Church at Easter (where I would be baptized, confirmed, and receive Holy Communion for the first time). I’ve fallen so much in love with Catholicism that I want to enter the Church and I have felt like God is calling me there in prayer, but there is one major thing I am struggling with: worthiness. I was 100% sure I wanted to enter the Church just a few months ago and now I’m scared that I’m just not good enough and reconsidering if this lifestyle is one I am meant to have. I have always tried to live my life being the best person I can be and I am worried that this is a calling to holiness that I can just never live up to. After all, receiving the Body and Blood of Christ is a pretty big deal and I am not sure how I could ever feel like I should be doing such. I know we are all unworthy of Christ’s perfect gift, but how do you get past this and accept that that is how great Christ’s love is for us? I’m just not sure where to go from here and if anyone else has ever gone through something similar.

Thank you for any advice you can give and God Bless!
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Dear Leigh 2015, I haven’t seen any response from you to our guidance. Could you let us know if we helped you or you need some more support? I would feel sad, if you never discovered the joy because you are living under this self condemnation. You are forgiven and free and totally loved. Rejoice!! tweedlealice:signofcross::gopray2::getholy::blessyou:❤️
 
leigh2015 said:
Hi all,

First off, forgive me if this post is a bit of a rant session from me.

I was introduced to Catholicism about a year ago and since then I have been studying the Catholic faith and praying about whether or not this is the right path for me. I was raised in a family that didn’t practice any type of religion, though my parents were Christians before I was around. I have never known much about Christianity in general until I felt like it was something I needed to pursue when I started college about 2 and a half years ago. Since then, there have been many ups and downs but I have never felt as close to God as I have in the last year since I have been attending mass and thinking about becoming Catholic. I started RCIA this last August and I have been attending up until now. I have had my doubts along the way, but I decided to continue attending if for nothing else but to learn more about Christianity/Catholicism. Right now, we’re reaching a point in RCIA where we’re deciding if we would like to enter the Church at Easter (where I would be baptized, confirmed, and receive Holy Communion for the first time). I’ve fallen so much in love with Catholicism that I want to enter the Church and I have felt like God is calling me there in prayer, but there is one major thing I am struggling with: worthiness. I was 100% sure I wanted to enter the Church just a few months ago and now I’m scared that I’m just not good enough and reconsidering if this lifestyle is one I am meant to have. I have always tried to live my life being the best person I can be and I am worried that this is a calling to holiness that I can just never live up to. After all, receiving the Body and Blood of Christ is a pretty big deal and I am not sure how I could ever feel like I should be doing such. I know we are all unworthy of Christ’s perfect gift, but how do you get past this and accept that that is how great Christ’s love is for us? I’m just not sure where to go from here and if anyone else has ever gone through something similar.

Thank you for any advice you can give and God Bless!
Click to expand...
I’ve heard from several people that they devote themselves to God then feel almost a panic that God will reject them somehow. I’ve discussed this within a couple of Catholic groups I participate in and the general consensus is that the evil one is trying to sow doubt among the faithful. As we grow closer to God, satan and his followers are trying to wedge a gap between us and God so we feel under attack more intensely. Keep faithful and pray, pray, pray. And when you have a few spare moments, pray some more! 🙂

Less than a year ago, I was a Sunday only Catholic. Now, I’m going to daily Mass, praying novenas, and praying in the car while I sit in traffic. What happened? God happened! I’m so thankful He loves a sinner like me!
 
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