I think this belongs in this forum rather than the spirituality forum because it is more a philosophical question, so I posted it here.
If I wanted to increase my religious devotion, should I focus on how it makes me feel or how I think about it? If it is based on emotions, then if might be less than genuine and could be lost over time because emotions ebb and change all the time.
If it is founded on an intellectual focus it would have a stronger foundation, but it too has shortcomings because this implies a sort of pride in your own intellect and you place it before your faith.
Does this mean that your faith must precede the intellectual foundation behind it? Or must your faith be founded on the intellectual reasons behind it?
Perhaps it is a mixture of both? You can discover truth from an intellectual standpoint, then you can place your confidence in that truth when you need some guidance.
I am obviously confused by this. How should I think about this subject?
I THINK YOU ARE JUSTIFIED
I think you are justified in being confused. This web forum is run by an apologetics organization, and all apologetics organizations focus on intellectual arguments, facts, reasons, evidence, logic, etc. All that is recommended by the Catholic Church.
But the Catholic Church also teaches that human beings, not being logic machines, not being computers, have an emotional aspect, and that is as much a part of our God-given humanity as the rational part.
I think it is possible to get out-of-balance and be too intellectual in one’s faith life.
ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI
Consider the case of St. Francis of Assisi. He is one of the most beloved and celebrated saints in history. He ordered his friars to not attend university and to not own any books. He was afraid that study and scholarship would lead his friars away from the direct heartfelt love of God and the direct heartfelt love of and close association with the common people (most of whom had no education, or, in any case, did not do intellectual jobs).
THE COMMAND TO LOVE GOD WITH ALL YOUR “HEART”
When you read the Gospels, you see Jesus boiling all commandments down to the Great Commandment: “Love the LORD your God with your whole HEART, mind, soul and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself.” Furthermore, all four of the Gospels show, again and again, Jesus being very EMOTIONAL. He cries out loud when Lazarus dies. On his to this crucifixion, he cries for the lost. He says something like “Don’t cry for me. Cry for yourselves.” People FELT love for Jesus, and Jesus FELT love for people. There is even “the disciple whom Jesus loved,” St. John, who in some way Jesus has a special love for and friendship with.
ALL THE ARGUING
I know so many zealous Catholics who are constantly ARGUING and trying to convert people by arguments. I think this accomplishes very little. I think this just comes across as a pugilistic battle of aggression.
Yet, I agree there is a place for information to show that the Faith is not irrational, is not ridiculous make believe. But, as far as I can see, no one comes to love God or love neighbor or love enemies because of some rational argument.
FALLING IN LOVE WITH GOD
Somehow, a person must have, again and again, the experience of something like “falling in love” with God, with FEELINGS. That comes from knowledge about his love for us, gifts to us, sacrifices for us, suffering for us, and his truthfulness, mercy, forgiveness, purity, power and benevolence. To me, this comes more from reading or hearing the Gospels than reading apologetical works.
This falling in love with God also happens because we experience some people in our personal lives who live out these Godly qualities in their human earthy lives and thus show and PROVE BY LIFE (as opposed to proof by logic) that these qualities are not just fictions or fairly tales written down in high-minded books.
