Internal Torture

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Altesse said:
At the risk of being ex’d

This statement:

“Remember, to really be a good Catholic, you have to live by all of what the Church teaches, whether you agree with it or not”.

is not absolutely true.

First and foremost we are Christians…we follow Jesus, The Christ.
Being Catholic is secondary.

The teachings of the church are intended to be for our benefit. Not to burden us with “rules”. God doesn’t want us to feel like we have to follow Him, but that we get to follow him.

If you don’t agree with something, first learn more about it.
Then if you still don’t agree, pray for understanding.
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In order to call yourself a Catholic, you have to believe the dogmas and doctrines of the Church, because these are what was taught to us by Christ, and we are Christ’s Church. You may disagree that abortion is a sin, but because the Church says that this violates the Commandment against murder, you must obey it, or risk excommunication.

If you profess to love God with all your heart, mind and strength, and your neighbor as yourself, you must follow God’s laws, otherwise you aren’t loving Him with all your heart, mind and strength.

We should not feel burdened by the rules-they actually set us free. If we suffer in doing so, we need to remember what Christ went through at Calvary.
 
bankerdavid said:
In order to call yourself a Catholic, you have to believe the dogmas and doctrines of the Church, because these are what was taught to us by Christ, and we are Christ’s Church. You may disagree that abortion is a sin, but because the Church says that this violates the Commandment against murder, you must obey it, or risk excommunication.

If you profess to love God with all your heart, mind and strength, and your neighbor as yourself, you must follow God’s laws, otherwise you aren’t loving Him with all your heart, mind and strength.

We should not feel burdened by the rules-they actually set us free. If we suffer in doing so, we need to remember what Christ went through at Calvary.
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No disagreement with this.

My point is that faith in Christ and following His example is first, then allegiance to “the church” as an institutional entity.

As we know, human weakness has interfered with the divine call in some of our clergy. So it stands that some local clergy may have instituted traditions or acted in a manner that caused members of their flock to leave the Church and even the Lord.

Historically, the church has (on occasion), implemented “laws” that are not from God, which have compromised the spread of the Gospel and the salvation of many because of the injury such actions created.

Yes, if we practice our faith in the Catholic Church, we should make every effort to adhere to the “rules”.

I am stating that if there are difficulties in this; to learn the history and purpose of the " rule", to enable understanding, which in turn will enable obedience. And pray that the Holy Spirit will enable us to understand and obey.

I am not talking about clear cut issues like murder, abortion or basic tenets of the faith, but a new or returned brother or sister may not be in a place where they understand the freedom in obedience.
 
Altesse said:
No disagreement with this.

My point is that faith in Christ and following His example is first, then allegiance to “the church” as an institutional entity.

As we know, human weakness has interfered with the divine call in some of our clergy. So it stands that some local clergy may have instituted traditions or acted in a manner that caused members of their flock to leave the Church and even the Lord.
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Every human is, by definition, weak. Popes, Cardinals, bishops, priests, laypersons. I never said to follow, necessarily, the local clergy, but to follow the teachings of Christ, which have been instituted fully in the Catholic Church. If you have a question about what a priest or even the bishop is instituting, take it up with him after researching the issue. If it doesn’t comply with the dogmas and doctrines of the church, you are not to follow them.
Historically, the church has (on occasion), implemented “laws” that are not from God, which have compromised the spread of the Gospel and the salvation of many because of the injury such actions created.
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What dogmas or doctrines has the Church instituted that have done what you say?
Yes, if we practice our faith in the Catholic Church, we should make every effort to adhere to the “rules”.
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I am stating that if there are difficulties in this; to learn the history and purpose of the " rule", to enable understanding, which in turn will enable obedience. And pray that the Holy Spirit will enable us to understand and obey.
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I am not talking about clear cut issues like murder, abortion or basic tenets of the faith, but a new or returned brother or sister may not be in a place where they understand the freedom in obedience.
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True, if you don’t understand, you should study, but above all, just because you don’t understand doesn’t mean you don’t follow along. You should follow, but study and pray to understand, then when you finally get it, you’ll be glad you followed. Most of the teachings of Christ, and thus the Catholic Church, are very clear cut. There is no gray area between right and wrong.
 
The CC doesn’t forbid one from having sexual desires or sexuality, but the practicing Catholic is bound to learn to manage their impulses and desires in such a way that it is in accordance with what the church teaches is the proper way to engage in sex, which is basically only between two people who are validly married in a heterosexual relationship. Bascially one cannot do these things:
  1. Masturbate
  2. Use porn or sexual fantasies of any kind
  3. Fornicate or engage in extra-marital sex or adultery
  4. Engage in homosexual sex
If you are a practicing Catholic it is very helpful to talk to a priest privately about these matters, as generally their pastoral theological training allows them to give useful advice. Seeking an older more experienced priest is in my view especially to be advised, as no doubt they’ve encountered this sort of situation many times.
 
Out,

Remember, we are called “practicing” Catholics. When we get it perfect, we are in Heaven.

Stay close to Jesus and Mary. Make some good Catholic friends for support.
 
outfctrl said:
I dont know where to start here so I will just start explaining how I feel. Three weeks ago, I came back to the Catholic Church. I have gone to confession and Mass, three times since then. So I havent missed a week.
Everything I do, Everything I think of, I question now. What is up with that? I have basically become a monk or something. I turn away from staring at womens attributes and thinking of what I would like to do. I can control this, but for how long? I have never been through this type of torture my whole life!!

I am not sure I can keep the vow of Chastity, it’s impossible. My desires are too strong, even at my age. I am on my third week of abstaining from any sex and I am about to climb the walls. I think our Mother Mary is getting tired of me bugging her all the time with my crutch.

I catch my self breaking the 1st Commandment constantly without thinking. It just comes out of my mouth. I used to be a sailor and I am in construction…so go figure.

I keep my Catholic prayer book in my briefcase all the time. I had it blessed. I catch myself praying to our Holy Mother all the time to help me.

My 16 year old asked for a smoke the other day, I let him have a few. Didnt think anything was wrong at the time, Heck, I started smoking at 12. Now I feel guilty. What the heck is happening to me? Life used to be so simple, now I struggle.

OH! here is something too. I now look forward to Confession, Mass and the Eucharist every weekend. I have to go to confession every week so I can receive it. I am always sinning it seems.
It’s like Gods house does something to me and I cant get enough of his Grace.

I really think I am losing it.

How can I be a good Catholic? I am terrible at this.
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Did you, by chance, at a recent point in time, ask God to advance you in holiness? To help you grow in charity? To humble you?

If so, your prayer is being answered. To acquire virtue, they need to be exercised.
Stand firm; follow God’s Law.
We can not break His law; only break ourselves against it (like you can’t break the law of gravity)

Rejoice! God draws near; His love burns.

God draws near.

Sometimes we don’t like that because He is a jealous God who will not accept us looking to anything else but Him. See the world through Him, *with *Him, and in Him.
But please know, and allow this to penetrate, that God wants to stay with you. Let Him stay with you.

Think often of Him and do not be saddened by the fact that perhaps you may not have been thinking of Him or remaining in His presence previously; but rather, rejoice that your feeble humanity overcame itself at this point to rest in the loving presence of your Father.

Allow God the joy that His child remembers Him; He is not disappointed nor discouraged at your failures; in fact, as the tear runs down His cheek, He turns His head and raises the heat to make you a more powerful protector and warrior. In short:

Let Him defeat you.

He will win; you decide when.
It will only be done with His grace.

Let Him defeat you. He’s calling you up; so stand up, brush yourself off, grin, and charge forward. We’re men; it’s what we love to do. Just go at His pace.

God Bless
Mordocai
 
Thats all I do, is think of him. Every minute of the day at work, at home, when I am riding. Every thing I do, I think I might be sinning. I use his name in vain throughout the day, without thinking, then catch myself.

Why am I so obsessed with him now, when years and years, I have never had him in my heart or mind.

I have stopped going to my Biker bars and turned down women who want to get together and look forward to confession and Mass.

It just seems my whole life has been turned upside down.
I feel like I am going crazy.
 
Nothing unusual is happening to you. You are truly a child of God and your conscience has awoken from a deep sleep and now is fully awake and in being awake you now fully perceive. Your conscience was dead and now it is alive.

This can seem like a terrible turn in the Christian life, but it is a wonderful thing you are experiencing. You have been allowed to see reality as it truly is in the sense of the order of things in the world and their relation to God.

God loves you very much. He has given you a great gift. You are currently panicking because you do not understand what is happening to you. I assure you what is happening to you is a wonderful work of the Holy Spirit who has come to your soul and awakened it to the graces of God and the wonderful life you can live with Jesus and currently to recreate you God is forming your conscience and things that formerly never caught your attention now seem bright and bold before you as clear as day and it is a hard adjustment to make, but God will help you to make this adjustment…

Everyone is tempted, its a constant situation but that doesn’t mean you must live your life is a constant state of fear, you must not fear God. God loves you and you must freely approach Him as your Loving Father and be comfortable and familiar with Him, talking to Him as naturally as you get up and put on your clothes.

The Spiritual life is not a complex maze too difficult for humans to understand or there would be no point to having a spiritual life at all. The Spiritual life is as natural as the physical life and it is simply because you had not previously delved into the spiritual life that now it seems a strange world and your physical life is to some extent seeming strange to you, this is a normal thing to happen and you musn’t become afraid or worried about yourself. What you experience is perfectly normal and many people experience it.

If I can I’d like to suggest that you make a simple prayer because to become holy we don’t need to do anything complex, we need to be simple before the Lord and it is the Lord who does all of the complex work. Say a little prayer like this…‘It is seeming like it is beyond me Jesus but I know with you nothing is beyond me, so I place all my trust in You. Amen’ That is all you need say and say it sincerely.

You know that your conscience was dulled and now you know it is alert and sharpening by the day, this is a good thing, though at first it seems strange and worrying, but I wish I could show you where it will lead you, because it will lead you to peace, peace with God and peace with men and any struggle is worth that.

Leave the past behind you, God has forgiven and forgotten your past and you are a new creature in Him now, you have died and risen in Christ anew and all that has been done and said in the past sometimes comes to mind to remind us we are weak and to remind us to stay close to Jesus, but don’t let the past affect you now, you are now close to Jesus.

I will keep you in the Living Prayer of my life and I’d ask you if you wouldn’t mind offering to Jesus every kind thought you have, every kind word you say and every kind deed you do for the strengthening of you soul in Him. Remember to thank Jesus for all things and in thanking Him He will bless you and those you love even greater than He does now, such is His love, kindness, compassion and mercy.

The Christian path is a tough road, it isn’t how it is often portrayed by the media. It is the path of soldiers in Christ and no faint heart can withstand this ardous journey without being faithful in prayer. Pray and continue to pray unceasingly with everything you do in life as well as in words.

I’ll remember you at Holy Mass tomorrow, be courageous, you are on a wonderful journey.🙂
 
outfctrl said:
Please dont, there are so many causes that need the mass more than I.

I will work this out.
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You are my brother in Christ and a child of God, it is not only my duty to pray for you it is a must. Everyone is a worthy cause and because you said that I’m asking you to remember me tomorrow at Holy Mass, because everyone needs prayer and being a sinner I too am just as in need of prayer as you are.

And yes you will work this out, with God’s help.
 
outfctrl said:
Please dont, there are so many causes that need the mass more than I.

I will work this out.
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Remember, our Lord is:

Omnipresent - All Present (Everywhere)

Omniscient - All Knowing

Om(name removed by moderator)otent - All Powerful

He is fully able to meet ALL needs. You do not need to feel you are taking up his time. He is always available to anyone, anywhere, anytime.

It is a priviledge to pray for our fellow believers during the Mass or any other time. You are not a burden to us either 🙂 .
 
outfctrl,
This is just wonderful! It says in the Bible that there will be more rejoicing in Heaven over one sinner that repents than those who have no need of repentance, and that includes ALL of us!
We are all sinners and we all struggle.
Just think of the good side, You came back! You have gone to confession weekly and you love to receive Jesus!
I think there will be a huge celebration going on in heaven, because of you!
It doesn’t mean that it will be easy, what is most important is that you never give up trying.
You already have come a long way and God will give you the necessary strength. We need to learn to rely more on Him than ourselves. (me included)
I am a cradle catholic that left the church for 7 years but came back. I have been back 18 years now and I am still so far away from who I should be. I still commit sins that by now, I should have eliminated. But it’s hard work and we don’t give up.
Welcome back to the church! I will pray for you. God bless you
 
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