Jew converting to Catholocism-is it ok to have doubts

  • Thread starter Thread starter davidjacobs
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
D

davidjacobs

Guest
Hi everyone

I was born and raised a Jew, but over the last few years have steered a lot more towards Catholicism, and have been very interested in converting.

I have been regularly attending mass, and have pretty much read my entire bible, to try and get an understanding of things.

I do believe in Christ and what he has taught us, I believe in the Crucifixion and resurrection.

I went to see my local parish priest last week and talked to him about converting. I am attending the church’s RCIA class this Wednesday!

My only problem is, that since then I have been worrying, what if I am wrong, what if I am making a mistake. Also, my mind now seems mushy!! Do you think that completely changing your belief takes some time to get used to?

I am sorry if my message is not totally coherent!
 
davidjacobs said:
Hi everyone

I was born and raised a Jew, but over the last few years have steered a lot more towards Catholicism, and have been very interested in converting.

I have been regularly attending mass, and have pretty much read my entire bible, to try and get an understanding of things.

I do believe in Christ and what he has taught us, I believe in the Crucifixion and resurrection.

I went to see my local parish priest last week and talked to him about converting. I am attending the church’s RCIA class this Wednesday!

My only problem is, that since then I have been worrying, what if I am wrong, what if I am making a mistake. Also, my mind now seems mushy!! Do you think that completely changing your belief takes some time to get used to?

I am sorry if my message is not totally coherent!
Click to expand...
Each of us has the responsibility to seek the truth and know God which in turn brings us closer and more deeply into a relationship with Him. Seeking additional knowledge by attending RCIA and even looking into the history of Christianity will bring you closer to realizing Christ is the Son of God and your search is correct. You haven’t learned enough yet to know the security in Jesus but you will if you pursue Him.
God bless and guide you with the strength of the Holy Spirit.
 
davidjacobs said:
Hi everyone

I was born and raised a Jew, but over the last few years have steered a lot more towards Catholicism, and have been very interested in converting.

I have been regularly attending mass, and have pretty much read my entire bible, to try and get an understanding of things.

I do believe in Christ and what he has taught us, I believe in the Crucifixion and resurrection.

I went to see my local parish priest last week and talked to him about converting. I am attending the church’s RCIA class this Wednesday!

My only problem is, that since then I have been worrying, what if I am wrong, what if I am making a mistake. Also, my mind now seems mushy!! Do you think that completely changing your belief takes some time to get used to?

I am sorry if my message is not totally coherent!
Click to expand...
It’s really normal to have some doubts and fears about such a major decision. I think of it kind of like having cold feet right before a wedding - almost everybody has a moment where they get scared at the gravity of what they’re about to undertake.

Also, the switch to working things out for yourself, and believing whatever your personal interpretation of the Tanak, Bible, etc., to believing what the Church believes, even if it’s sometimes counter-intuitive (at least at first glance) can be a big jump.

Here’s a verse which might be helpful is Mark 9:24. A man who came to Jesus for healing for his son famously says, “I do believe; help me with my unbelief!” Sometimes faith means asking for the strength to bolster your faith.
 
davidjacobs said:
Hi
I went to see my local parish priest last week and talked to him about converting. I am attending the church’s RCIA class this Wednesday!

My only problem is, that since then I have been worrying, what if I am wrong, what if I am making a mistake. Also, my mind now seems mushy!! Do you think that completely changing your belief takes some time to get used to?

I am sorry if my message is not totally coherent!
Click to expand...
THAT Is the purpose (or one of them) of RCIA, especially the initial period of inquiry, to raise those questions and get answers. You will, if you are like most adults, also find that new questions arise as you get deeper into the Gospel and into the doctrine. The process only limps unless you bring those questions to the catechists and priest. If you go the whole time never raising a question, you are left with lingering doubts and uncertainties. Also do not be amazed if at times you seem to drop back, or even drop out for a while. YOu will if you are a serious seeker meet roadblocks which you must work through with study but mostly prayer. The process takes as long as it takes, and it is not the same for everyone.

My bet is if you want to go deeper, you are on the right site, esp. always search the CA homepage for articles and references on topics of choice.

Welcome home, Big Brother in faith.

If you can find someone to introduce you to the prayer of the LIturgy of the Hours you may find it most congenial and helpful, because of the familiarity of the psalms.
 
Hello David,

Praise God for your acceptance of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. You are one of His Chosen People, and I believe there will be much rejoicing in heaven.

You have chosen the path to the Father, through His Son, Jesus Christ.

God bless you on your journey to the King of All Kings and may you be enlightened in all that you learn of Him.

Jesus said “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father but by me.”

God bless you now and always as you seek the kingdom of God.

Welcome to the Flock of the Good Shephard

:grouphug: :clapping:
 
Thank you and bless you all for your replies!

I do feel very reassured and I hope to report lots of positive things back in the coming months.

I feel this will be a very important spiritual journey.

I will pray for you all.
 
Wow David!
I am glad you are going to RCIA. My own experience with big changes has led me into prayer. I think you are already doing a great thing by reaching out for infomation and help. God is with you brother! 👍

Peace!
 
davidjacobs said:
Hi everyone

I was born and raised a Jew, but over the last few years have steered a lot more towards Catholicism, and have been very interested in converting.

I have been regularly attending mass, and have pretty much read my entire bible, to try and get an understanding of things.

I do believe in Christ and what he has taught us, I believe in the Crucifixion and resurrection.

I went to see my local parish priest last week and talked to him about converting. I am attending the church’s RCIA class this Wednesday!

My only problem is, that since then I have been worrying, what if I am wrong, what if I am making a mistake. Also, my mind now seems mushy!! Do you think that completely changing your belief takes some time to get used to?

I am sorry if my message is not totally coherent!
Click to expand...
Hello,

May God bless you.

I was raised a Catholic. Did the whole Catholic school thing and pretty much did the motions. After college I had a revelation and was touch by what I would call the Holy Spirit. I was not sure what to do. I began to search. I started to go to mass all the time. I began to read and study other religions. Chiristian, Islam, Judaism, Buddist, I looked at the fact and it came back to Christ and the Christ set on earth The Catholic Church. I had and do have doubts arise. I do a lot of readings about topic I have doubts about and as far as I have seen the church assured me of alll of my doubts. Pray Pray Pray. Read about the lives of the saints

God bless

John
 
Not to put too fine a point on this, but there are questions :confused: and there are doubts. :nope:

Another quote (and No, I can’t recall who said this either 😊 ) is something about a thousand questions do not make a single doubt…which is another take on "Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief."

Have lots of questions. Ask lots of questions. Seek the answers.

Do not doubt that this is the One True Faith. 👍

In Christ,
Ken
 
Just wanted you to know that I will be praying for you… and that we had a pastor at our parish that was a convert from Judaism. He gave the best homilies because he knew the old testament so well.
 
If you haven’t read it already, I’d strongly recommend Roy Schoeman’s “Salvation is from the Jews.” He’s a great Catholic writer.
 
David one thing you might be surprised to find out is Catholicism has very Jewish roots…The first mass served by Christ was a Passover Seder…If you are interested go to EWTN and look for a dvd they have by Bob Fishman called ,the Jewish roots of Catholicism
 
Hi David,

For some people, doubt can be the foundation or handmaiden of faith. The shadow implies the light, does it not?
 
Check out the Association of Hebrew Catholics. You will find support there from others who have been where you are. Judaism isn’t just a religion it is also a people and you may feel you are leaving your people. I am not saying you are, Roy Shoeman, points out in Salvation is From the Jews that you are part of a distict people and that doesn’t change. When you are having doubts ask yourself are you having doubts about the content or the culture?
Ms. Cilantro
 
davidjacobs said:
My only problem is, that since then I have been worrying, what if I am wrong, what if I am making a mistake. Also, my mind now seems mushy!! Do you think that completely changing your belief takes some time to get used to?

I am sorry if my message is not totally coherent!
Click to expand...
You can’t go wrong,
as long as you pray to the one true God,
the God of Abraham.
 
davidjacobs said:
Hi everyone

I was born and raised a Jew, but over the last few years have steered a lot more towards Catholicism, and have been very interested in converting.

I have been regularly attending mass, and have pretty much read my entire bible, to try and get an understanding of things.

I do believe in Christ and what he has taught us, I believe in the Crucifixion and resurrection.

I went to see my local parish priest last week and talked to him about converting. I am attending the church’s RCIA class this Wednesday!

I can strongly relate. After studying the story of Martin Luther for decades, I decided to convert to Lutheranism. I spoke to a pastor, made an appointment to begin the conversion process, took one of his cathecisms, and then paniced in the shower the next morning, and never considered going through with it again. Thank God I didn’t do it.

I think that if you have doubts now, perhaps you should re-explore your Jewish faith and reflect on it at length before proceeding with the conversion. It sounds as though it’s tugging on your heart.
My only problem is, that since then I have been worrying, what if I am wrong, what if I am making a mistake. Also, my mind now seems mushy!! Do you think that completely changing your belief takes some time to get used to?

I am sorry if my message is not totally coherent!
Click to expand...
 
davidjacobs said:
Hi everyone

I was born and raised a Jew, but over the last few years have steered a lot more towards Catholicism, and have been very interested in converting.

I have been regularly attending mass, and have pretty much read my entire bible, to try and get an understanding of things.

I do believe in Christ and what he has taught us, I believe in the Crucifixion and resurrection.

I went to see my local parish priest last week and talked to him about converting. I am attending the church’s RCIA class this Wednesday!

I think that if you have doubts now, perhaps you should re-explore your Jewish faith and reflect on it at length before proceeding with the conversion. It sounds as though it’s tugging on your heart.
My only problem is, that since then I have been worrying, what if I am wrong, what if I am making a mistake. Also, my mind now seems mushy!! Do you think that completely changing your belief takes some time to get used to?

I am sorry if my message is not totally coherent!
Click to expand...
I can strongly relate. After studying the story of Martin Luther for decades, I decided to convert to Lutheranism. I spoke to a pastor, made an appointment to begin the conversion process, took one of his cathecisms, and then paniced in the shower the next morning, and never considered going through with it again. Thank God I didn’t do it. It sounds as though Judiasm might be tugging on heart. Perhaps you should re-explore it before proceeding any further toward Catholicism.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top