Is being Catholic for everyone?

[Pow123]

Sorry if this is the wrong area to post this, but here is is. I am basically writing this to get advice/help. I was raised Catholic in a very devoutly European Catholic family. I am now a 19 year old male and in college and I am having an extremely difficult time in following the faith. I want to believe that there is a God and I know that it is much better to believe in an eternal life and to have hope in life than to just believe that once you die that is it, but I have never experienced God. I do not know what I should be feeling. I have prayed on many occasions but I never feel a connection. I feel lost. I am starting to feel that following the Catholic faith exactly as it is written is becoming impractical in this day of age. It hurts me to say this but how can one follow the faith with so many temptations around? Why would God present us with such temptations that would only take us farther from Him? My biggest problem is sexual sin, as with many people of my age. I live on a college campus and the roommates I live with are also Catholic due to being raised in Catholic families, but yet, they also do not follow the faith whatsoever and also give into sexual sin on many occasions. I live life to the fullest, I am happy for the most part, and I regard myself as a good person to others. Am I truly heading for eternal damnation because of natural human sexuality? I find this very confusing, why would God give us such hormones if it would only lead to sin? How is one supposed to find a wife these days while trying to be a true catholic? Today, it is all about having a girl friend and “hooking up” on regular occasions to share love with each other and then eventually get married. Back in the day it was different, people got married at early ages when the hormones started going crazy so sexual sin was a lesser problem. Now, some don’t get married until the 30’s. How is one suppose to resist these strong feelings for that long? I know that I have tried extremely hard on so many occasions that I got feelings of anxiety, but I always feel back into sexual sin. I am starting to feel depressed, anxious, and lost because of all of this. I am starting to think that I would be better off just living my life as a good person but ignoring sexual sins, but I want to believe in God and in Jesus and doing so would be going against the Word of God. I don’t know what to do anymore, all of my friends say that the 3000 year old writings of the bible are no longer practical in this day of age… and I am sad to say I am starting to head that way too. And also, if Jesus is the only way to salvation, what about Muslims and Jews that do not regard Jesus as the Son of God? What about the pagans that worshiped many gods in the past without every being exposed to God?

 

[datritle]

you are describing me in college, my friend! moral relativism, skipping classes, getting high, having sex… Secular, and even Catholic universities are breeding grounds for trying new things, exploring sexuality, and many other things. this isn’t bad in and of itself, because in my case, it was this exploration that brought me back to the Church, and now i am a seminary candidate! but i struggled just as you are struggling. I am not a catechism expert, so i will not try to fully answer your concerns, but i will say that you should seek out your campus priest and lay this on him. this is his specialty! God bless you on your journey

 

[Pow123]

you are describing me in college, my friend! moral relativism, skipping classes, getting high, having sex… Secular, and even Catholic universities are breeding grounds for trying new things, exploring sexuality, and many other things. this isn’t bad in and of itself, because in my case, it was this exploration that brought me back to the Church, and now i am a seminary candidate! but i struggled just as you are struggling. I am not a catechism expert, so i will not try to fully answer your concerns, but i will say that you should seek out your campus priest and lay this on him. this is his specialty! God bless you on your journey

I thought about talking to a priest, but I don’t feel comfortable spilling all this personal feeling and info out to a stranger in person. I am just concerned about my salvation, if it exists which I hope it does, it is so hard for me to avoid this and according to the church I am living in mortal sin and am going to hell.

 

[Della]

I thought about talking to a priest, but I don’t feel comfortable spilling all this personal feeling and info out to a stranger in person. I am just concerned about my salvation, if it exists which I hope it does, it is so hard for me to avoid this and according to the church I am living in mortal sin and am going to hell.

Priests are not strangers–they’re “alter Christis”, “other Christs” in the sacramental meaning of the words. You can talk to one about anything and he will listen and understand. Priests are men too and went through their college years with all the same temptations and doubts you are having. So, go seek one out and tell him everything. You won’t be telling him anything he hasn’t heard before, you won’t shock him, disappoint him, or make him think less of you. We are all sinners who face various kinds of temptations every day, and we fail again and again, but God is always the same–ready to forgive us and help us live as we ought to live.

The Church doesn’t set up arbitrary rules to make life hard for young men. Rather, the commandments of God are the sure way to live in happiness no matter what you are going through, be it temptation, financial trouble, family problems, etc. God made us and knows us better than we know ourselves. If you simply do what God asks it all falls into place. So go to confession and be honest, attend Mass, pray, read the daily Mass readings or go to daily Mass or adoration. All these things will help you center yourself in God. We don’t have to feel God any more than we have to feel the air we breathe, but without either one we die. Spiritual death is usually gradual and the slope down is easy, which is why so many slide down it. But you can be a faithful Christian no matter what your circumstances in life. It comes by practicing your faith, not questioning it.

As for Muslims, Jews, pagans, etc., the Church tells us that salvation is possible for them, as well. How that is possible is right there in the Catechism of the Catholic Church. In order to understand your faith you have to know it first. So get a copy and read it and hold discussions with your friends about it so you can all learn. Ask a priest to be your guide on the tough issues and you’ll find the Church has a good answer for everything we humans need because Christ gave us the Church to guide us, nurture us, and help us to salvation. I will pray for you, please say a prayer for me, as well.

 

[SonCatcher]

Friend,

It is certainly possible for anyone to be Catholic. That is one reason the Church chose that name for herself (“catholic” means “universal”).

It is true that following the Church’s teachings presents a struggle. This struggle is not unique to the current age. In every age it is a struggle to follow Christ. That is why St. Paul wrote to the first century Romans:

[BIBLEDRB]Romans 12:2[/BIBLEDRB]

The Greek culture that was the world into which the Church was born rivaled today’s society for its licentiousness, so it isn’t something we haven’t handled before.

 

[TheRealJuliane]

Sorry if this is the wrong area to post this, but here is is. I am basically writing this to get advice/help. I was raised Catholic in a very devoutly European Catholic family. I am now a 19 year old male and in college and I am having an extremely difficult time in following the faith. I want to believe that there is a God and I know that it is much better to believe in an eternal life and to have hope in life than to just believe that once you die that is it, but I have never experienced God. I do not know what I should be feeling. I have prayed on many occasions but I never feel a connection. I feel lost. I am starting to feel that following the Catholic faith exactly as it is written is becoming impractical in this day of age. It hurts me to say this but how can one follow the faith with so many temptations around? Why would God present us with such temptations that would only take us farther from Him? My biggest problem is sexual sin, as with many people of my age. I live on a college campus and the roommates I live with are also Catholic due to being raised in Catholic families, but yet, they also do not follow the faith whatsoever and also give into sexual sin on many occasions. I live life to the fullest, I am happy for the most part, and I regard myself as a good person to others. Am I truly heading for eternal damnation because of natural human sexuality? I find this very confusing, why would God give us such hormones if it would only lead to sin? How is one supposed to find a wife these days while trying to be a true catholic? Today, it is all about having a girl friend and “hooking up” on regular occasions to share love with each other and then eventually get married. Back in the day it was different, people got married at early ages when the hormones started going crazy so sexual sin was a lesser problem. Now, some don’t get married until the 30’s. How is one suppose to resist these strong feelings for that long? I know that I have tried extremely hard on so many occasions that I got feelings of anxiety, but I always feel back into sexual sin. I am starting to feel depressed, anxious, and lost because of all of this. I am starting to think that I would be better off just living my life as a good person but ignoring sexual sins, but I want to believe in God and in Jesus and doing so would be going against the Word of God. I don’t know what to do anymore, all of my friends say that the 3000 year old writings of the bible are no longer practical in this day of age… and I am sad to say I am starting to head that way too. And also, if Jesus is the only way to salvation, what about Muslims and Jews that do not regard Jesus as the Son of God? What about the pagans that worshiped many gods in the past without every being exposed to God?

Time to step it up, my friend. Start reading about our Church. Start studying why God tells us to keep the precious gift of our sexuality to give to our husband or wife. Yes, it’s hard to resist temptation. It always has been, and it always will be. But you will be the stronger for it. What you need is to understand WHY you should follow the teachings of the Church. Then when you hear your friends and fellow students espousing that the Bible and God are no longer relevant, you will have an answer in your own mind.

Start looking for some new friends, BTW.

 

[bzkoss236]

I thought about talking to a priest, but I don’t feel comfortable spilling all this personal feeling and info out to a stranger in person. I am just concerned about my salvation, if it exists which I hope it does, it is so hard for me to avoid this and according to the church I am living in mortal sin and am going to hell.

Belief can be a choice, as is said about love. When you love someone, they aren’t always going to make you happy, and there will be times where you’ll feel contempt towards them, and other times where you get into a “comfortable” dry period where you don’t really notice any difference either way, but you still love them out of choice. Sometimes the choice to love someone may seem obvious, but other times you may have to work at it.

Belief can be the same way. Mother Theresa explained before her passing that she experienced 40 years of “dry spirituality”, meaning that she didn’t really “feel” God, but she still chose to believe and continue to do His will and work to help those in need.

In the same way, you can choose to believe, even if you are currently feeling spiritually dry.

If you don’t feel comfortable talking to a priest directly, maybe correspond via email with a priest.

But I will say, there are probably times in your life where you’ve felt God, but you didn’t know it was Him. I’ve also been through the same thing, and almost led me to lose my faith. But becoming secular and looking at the results of scientific research, of all things, started to bring me back to God by showing me how powerful He is and how ordered His universe is that He created for us.

May God bless you on your journey.

 

[Apologista]

God gives us the hormones, it’s true, but it’s more the culture that pours gasoline onto the fire, if you see what I mean. Try to find friends who are living their Catholic Faith and are committed to the Gospel of Life instead of the Culture of Death.

It may take some searching - pray asking God to help lead you and these potential positive friends to run into each other. Guy friends to hang out with and women who are ladies, not party girls looking to hook up. Keep coming to the CAF forums and social groups (there is one for singles and probably some for students and other interests that would appeal to you). This is a good place to at least try, and to bring questions and struggles. God bless you in your quest!

 

[Horatius]

I have never experienced God. I do not know what I should be feeling. I have prayed on many occasions but I never feel a connection.

You’re not always going to feel a connection. Our feelings are a bad indicator of what’s going on inside us. Faith is a choice you make rather than a feeling you experience. Same with love.

It hurts me to say this but how can one follow the faith with so many temptations around? Why would God present us with such temptations that would only take us farther from Him?

Because he knows that he will still love you when you mess up. He also knows that for your love for him to be genuine, you have to have some real, attractive alternatives.

What I mean is this: God loves you and wants you to love him. But your love wouldn’t mean anything if you didn’t have any choice but to love him. Since the world has all these other things that you could love instead, then when you choose God instead of them, it really means something.

I live life to the fullest, I am happy for the most part, and I regard myself as a good person to others. Am I truly heading for eternal damnation because of natural human sexuality?

No. You can sin a million times and still go to heaven. What gets you to heaven is the desire to do better, and repenting each time you sin, even if you keep sinning over and over. Everyone who went to heaven, including all the saints except one, committed sin. St. Augustine’s lifestyle was a lot like that of you and your friends at your age. Don’t despair because you sin. Everyone sins. It’s not the sin itself that matters, but your attitude toward it and what you try to do about it.

I strongly recommend you read the four Gospels in the Bible: the books Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. See what Jesus says about this.

How is one supposed to find a wife these days while trying to be a true catholic?

There are good Catholic girls out there. Start going to the Newman Center or to a Catholic parish with lots of young single people. A lot of the girls you meet there will be trying to live good Catholic lives.

I don’t know what to do anymore, all of my friends say that the 3000 year old writings of the bible are no longer practical in this day of age… and I am sad to say I am starting to head that way too.

That’s B.S. People aren’t any different now than they were 3,000 years ago. Men have always gotten drunk, chased tail, and gotten into fights. People have always struggled with right and wrong, and needed to hear what the Bible says about it.

And FYI, people have been repeating your friends’ line for centuries. There were people in the time of Christ who said the teachings of the Bible were no longer practical “in this day and age.” People said it during the Renaissance, and during the Enlightenment, and in the Victorian Era. Every generation thinks they’re smarter and more sophisticated than previous generations, but they’re delusional. Human nature doesn’t change.

And also, if Jesus is the only way to salvation, what about Muslims and Jews that do not regard Jesus as the Son of God? What about the pagans that worshiped many gods in the past without every being exposed to God?

Good people who sincerely want to do the right thing to the extent they understand it can be saved. They don’t have to be Christians explicitly. All who are saved, whether Christian or not, are saved by Jesus.

 

[guanophore]

 Sorry if this is the wrong area to post this, but here is is. I am basically writing this to get advice/help. I was raised Catholic in a very devoutly European Catholic family. I am now a 19 year old male and in college and I am having an extremely difficult time in following the faith. I want to believe that there is a God and I know that it is much better to believe in an eternal life and to have hope in life than to just believe that once you die that is it, but I have never experienced God. I do not know what I should be feeling. I have prayed on many occasions but I never feel a connection. I feel lost. I am starting to feel that following the Catholic faith exactly as it is written is becoming impractical in this day of age. It hurts me to say this but how can one follow the faith with so many temptations around?

God bless you Pow, and welcome to CAF!

You hit the nail on the head. Walking with God is all about a relationship. there is NO WAY that we can walk in His commandments and cope with all the temptations apart from His grace, which we receive by faith. This comes through a personal relationship with Him.

Your post might be more appropriate in the “catholic living” section, but I am sure you will get plenty of help here as well.

 Why would God present us with such temptations that would only take us farther from Him?

So that we will have no doubt that our salvation depends upon Him, and not ourselves.

My biggest problem is sexual sin, as with many people of my age. I live on a college campus and the roommates I live with are also Catholic due to being raised in Catholic families, but yet, they also do not follow the faith whatsoever and also give into sexual sin on many occasions. I live life to the fullest, I am happy for the most part, and I regard myself as a good person to others. Am I truly heading for eternal damnation because of natural human sexuality?

No, natural human temptations are not what leads us to eternal damnation. It is givng into them, breaking the commandments, and sinning against God that leads us to damnation.

I find this very confusing, why would God give us such hormones if it would only lead to sin? How is one supposed to find a wife these days while trying to be a true catholic?

God gave you your desires because He intends to fulfill them most perfectly in the way He has created.

You are not ready to find a wife until you have a relationship with God such that you are able to remain in a state of grace. God first, wife second. If you cannot govern your sexual urges, you will sin against her also, so it is necessary to get a grip.

Today, it is all about having a girl friend and “hooking up” on regular occasions to share love with each other and then eventually get married. Back in the day it was different, people got married at early ages when the hormones started going crazy so sexual sin was a lesser problem. Now, some don’t get married until the 30’s. How is one suppose to resist these strong feelings for that long?

By grace, through faith.

I know that I have tried extremely hard on so many occasions that I got feelings of anxiety, but I always feel back into sexual sin. I am starting to feel depressed, anxious, and lost because of all of this.

Go to confession every time you fall. Not only will the sacrament heal you inwardly, but it will give you grace to stronger resist temptation. You can never win this battle against the flesh by willpower. It is just not possible.

I am starting to think that I would be better off just living my life as a good person but ignoring sexual sins, but I want to believe in God and in Jesus and doing so would be going against the Word of God.

You are right on in this. We do not get to heaven by being a “good person” in our own eyes. we get to heaven by being “good” in God’s eyes. That means following His commandments (all of them).

I don’t know what to do anymore, all of my friends say that the 3000 year old writings of the bible are no longer practical in this day of age… and I am sad to say I am starting to head that way too.

It seems like you need to make some new friends. Being around people like this will only weaken you spiritually.

And also, if Jesus is the only way to salvation, what about Muslims and Jews that do not regard Jesus as the Son of God? What about the pagans that worshiped many gods in the past without every being exposed to God?

This is a separate issue that is addressed in the catechism. It would need it’s own thread. Suffice to say that salvation is not limited to those who are visible members of the Church.

I recommend that you focus on your own walk with God, and let the Muslims and Jews figure it out for themselves.

 

[guanophore]

I thought about talking to a priest, but I don’t feel comfortable spilling all this personal feeling and info out to a stranger in person. I am just concerned about my salvation, if it exists which I hope it does, it is so hard for me to avoid this and according to the church I am living in mortal sin and am going to hell.

Yes, it is about your salvation, which is why you cannot allow your sense of shame or “discomfort” govern your choices. How much more ashamed will you feel when everything you have done is laid bare before Him?

Heb 4:11-13

11 Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, that no one fall by the same sort of disobedience. 12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And before him no creature is hidden, but all are open and laid bare to the eyes of him with whom we have to do

Luke 12:2-3
2 Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. 3 Therefore whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.

Picture your sins on the big screen.

In comparison with what is coming, the embarrassment of talking to a priest is miniscule.

 

[Pow123]

Thank you everyone for your words and advice. Today I got myself up and forced myself to Confession. I made a full and honest one and the priest was very helpful in giving advice. I am starting to feel better already…It will be a challenge though to live God’s Word in college but I will never stop trying and if I fall I will come back to God. Thank you everyone!

 

[Della]

Thank you everyone for your words and advice. Today I got myself up and forced myself to Confession. I made a full and honest one and the priest was very helpful in giving advice. I am starting to feel better already…It will be a challenge though to live God’s Word in college but I will never stop trying and if I fall I will come back to God. Thank you everyone!

That’s great news. Good for you! That’s all that any of us can do–is go on living for Christ through the ups and downs of life. College is only for about 4 years–there’s a lot of time afterwards to live. If you set yourself on the right path now you will not only have nothing to regret, but you will build a foundation of faith that will not be shaken when the really hard issues of family life and employment come along, among other things. Life is hard. We need power greater than our own to navigate it. God knows that, which is why he is so jealous for us–he doesn’t want us wasting our lives on sin and stupidity, but rather that we should grow in faith and wisdom.

 

[Midwest88]

I am starting to feel that following the Catholic faith exactly as it is written is becoming impractical in this day of age

It’s always been “impractical”, just in certain decades and times it’s been easier or its dismissal of it has been less strong.

“hooking up” on regular occasions to share love with each other

Is it really love? I believe it’s not. People keep saying it’s love, or refer to their one night stands as “lovers,” but it’s all a children’s game. I “hooked up” on several occasions and I’ll admit it wasn’t based on love or anything close to it Sure it felt like it, but looking back it wasn’t. The word love is thrown in to justify or gloss over the shallowness of the hook up culture. It ain’t love my friend.

 

[guanophore]

Thank you everyone for your words and advice. Today I got myself up and forced myself to Confession. I made a full and honest one and the priest was very helpful in giving advice. I am starting to feel better already…It will be a challenge though to live God’s Word in college but I will never stop trying and if I fall I will come back to God. Thank you everyone!

This is AWESOME Pow! I hope you can find some solid Christian fellowship that will support you in your struggle.

God is at work in you to will and to do His good pleasure. If you don’t have an active newman center there, see if there is a FOCUS (fellowship of Catholic university students).

 

[TheRealJuliane]

Thank you everyone for your words and advice. Today I got myself up and forced myself to Confession. I made a full and honest one and the priest was very helpful in giving advice. I am starting to feel better already…It will be a challenge though to live God’s Word in college but I will never stop trying and if I fall I will come back to God. Thank you everyone!

Good for you!!! Isn’t absolution just so AWESOME??? I went yesterday and I immediately felt God’s grace because I got an unfamiliar priest and he asked me more questions and I had to admit what had really happened and he gave me a penance to make it right with the person I had lied to, which the other priest probably wouldn’t have. I was so glad to be a little challenged spiritually! Man, I love our sacraments!!!



That’s the right spirit - keep trying, keep honest with God, and hang in there! We’re with you all the way!!!

 

[Pow123]

Also, some of you mentioned to find new friends. The ones I have now are really close and I would hate to lose them. What can I say to bring them closer to God? They are all catholic but they dont seem to follow the church at all, I dont think any of them had been to confession for a long time. They all have the mentality that no one religion is right and that there are multiple paths to God, which I agree with, but they also think that no one should tell them what to do or what to feel and that religion should be about how one personally feels. I dont know how to respond to that, they seem like they believe in God, but dont aknowledge Him day to day and continue sexual sins without thinking about them or regaurding them as being wrong. What can I do? I dont want to seem forceful upon them.

 

[guanophore]

Also, some of you mentioned to find new friends. The ones I have now are really close and I would hate to lose them. What can I say to bring them closer to God? They are all catholic but they dont seem to follow the church at all, I dont think any of them had been to confession for a long time. They all have the mentality that no one religion is right and that there are multiple paths to God, which I agree with, but they also think that no one should tell them what to do or what to feel and that religion should be about how one personally feels. I dont know how to respond to that, they seem like they believe in God, but dont aknowledge Him day to day and continue sexual sins without thinking about them or regaurding them as being wrong. What can I do? I dont want to seem forceful upon them.

The best thing you can do is keep yourself in a state of grace, and live your faith in front of them. Show them Christ by being Christlike in all things. When they see that your values have changed and represent that which is contrary to the world, you will no doubt be confronted. At that point you can say how you felt, then what you decided to do, and how you changed, and want to continue changing.

Though they may be good friends, they can also be a near occasion of sin for you, so you must be cautious to protect your sanctity.

 

[TheRealJuliane]

Also, some of you mentioned to find new friends. The ones I have now are really close and I would hate to lose them. What can I say to bring them closer to God? They are all catholic but they dont seem to follow the church at all, I dont think any of them had been to confession for a long time. They all have the mentality that no one religion is right and that there are multiple paths to God, which I agree with, but they also think that no one should tell them what to do or what to feel and that religion should be about how one personally feels. I dont know how to respond to that, they seem like they believe in God, but dont aknowledge Him day to day and continue sexual sins without thinking about them or regaurding them as being wrong. What can I do? I dont want to seem forceful upon them.

This is called MORAL RELATIVISM, and it is the plague of our time. Educate yourself on what it is, where it came from, and how it tears down societal institutions. There IS a right way and a wrong way, per God. And newsflash - there was no other church but our Church until the 1500’s! The best path to God is through the Church that Jesus founded. What your friends think - that no one should tell them what to do and that religion is about personal feelings - is very common these days. But of course it’s mere childish rebellion and disobedience to God.

As guanophore said, the best way to witness to them is to BE the best Catholic you can be. Live that faith! Be a vibrant Catholic! Find a thriving and active church and start participating in a few ministries! Be joyful! Invite those Catholics to Mass (even the non-Catholics if you can explain how they can’t receive the Eucharist!)! Talk about your relationship with God through the Eucharist, and especially how GREAT you feel after absolution! I mean, not preaching to them, just out of the overflow of your heart! I think it won’t be hard as you meditate on how much happier you are when you are in that state of grace. They are desperate for the Truth, even if they don’t realize it.

 

[livingwordunity]

Sorry if this is the wrong area to post this, but here is is. I am basically writing this to get advice/help. I was raised Catholic in a very devoutly European Catholic family. I am now a 19 year old male and in college and I am having an extremely difficult time in following the faith. I want to believe that there is a God and I know that it is much better to believe in an eternal life and to have hope in life than to just believe that once you die that is it, but I have never experienced God. I do not know what I should be feeling. I have prayed on many occasions but I never feel a connection. I feel lost. I am starting to feel that following the Catholic faith exactly as it is written is becoming impractical in this day of age. It hurts me to say this but how can one follow the faith with so many temptations around? Why would God present us with such temptations that would only take us farther from Him? My biggest problem is sexual sin, as with many people of my age. I live on a college campus and the roommates I live with are also Catholic due to being raised in Catholic families, but yet, they also do not follow the faith whatsoever and also give into sexual sin on many occasions. I live life to the fullest, I am happy for the most part, and I regard myself as a good person to others. Am I truly heading for eternal damnation because of natural human sexuality? I find this very confusing, why would God give us such hormones if it would only lead to sin? How is one supposed to find a wife these days while trying to be a true catholic? Today, it is all about having a girl friend and “hooking up” on regular occasions to share love with each other and then eventually get married. Back in the day it was different, people got married at early ages when the hormones started going crazy so sexual sin was a lesser problem. Now, some don’t get married until the 30’s. How is one suppose to resist these strong feelings for that long? I know that I have tried extremely hard on so many occasions that I got feelings of anxiety, but I always feel back into sexual sin. I am starting to feel depressed, anxious, and lost because of all of this. I am starting to think that I would be better off just living my life as a good person but ignoring sexual sins, but I want to believe in God and in Jesus and doing so would be going against the Word of God. I don’t know what to do anymore, all of my friends say that the 3000 year old writings of the bible are no longer practical in this day of age… and I am sad to say I am starting to head that way too. And also, if Jesus is the only way to salvation, what about Muslims and Jews that do not regard Jesus as the Son of God? What about the pagans that worshiped many gods in the past without every being exposed to God?

There isn’t a Catholic who doesn’t struggle with sin. That’s why we have the sacrament of reconciliation. Satan doesn’t want you to go to confession to ask for forgiveness because he wants you for himself in Hell. Don’t let fear or pride stop you from going to confession. There’s nothing that you can tell the priest that he probably hasn’t already heard from others. And when you confess to a priest you are confessing to Christ because the priest stands in the person of Christ. God doesn’t expect us to be perfect, but he wants us to at least try to do his will. And when we fail, as we often do, the sacrament of confession is there for us with no limits on the number of times we can return to receive God’s grace and forgiveness. Be assured as well that the priest can’t reveal you and your confession to anyone without him suffering the penalty of instant excommunication.