Judgmental Parents

[guanophore]

I can’t buy that. The more I “focus” on the present, the worse it becomes.

Giving glory to God is quite probably an easy thing for those who are happy in life.

For the rest of us who are not, I have my doubts.

Well, I did not mean to imply that being focused on the present and giving glory to God in the midst of our sufferings is “easy”. Of course you are right, it is easy when we are not suffering, but that does not alleviate us of our obligation when we are. I recently was meditating on this passage in Acts 16:19-26. Paul and Silas were stripped, beaten with rods until they were covered with welts, then chained to the floor in the inner prison. I must think they were suffering, and could not even turn over to ease their pain. What were they doing?

Two things: I’m not a saint. So I don’t have the strength of purpose that St. Paul did. I sincerely wish I did, but I simply don’t.

We are all called to be saints, and we are all given the same HS that Paul and Silas had. It is up to us if we are going to give thanks to God and sing hymns when we are suffering, or if we are going to feel sorry for ourselves. All of lifes suffering is an opportunity to unite our sufferings with those of Christ.

Next, I’m long past the point where I am naive enough to believe that a spouse will come along.

Yes, it falls to some to go out and be active in the community so that they can encounter friends. We are called to serve God, and in the process of that, marriage may be one way we do so, but for others called to the single life, we are to glorify God in whatever state we find ourselves.

Good question. And you are right, I should be full of joy. But I am not. Where do you suggest I find this joy? Since it does not now exist in my life, and God seems not to want to give me this “joy,” what should I do? Manufacture it out of thin air?

No, it is not possible to do such a thing. Our joy is found in the resurrection, but first we have to go through the crucifixion. I think we will agree that Jesus was not having a happy time in the Garden of Gethsemane. We need to go there with him, and allow ourselves to be nailed to the cross with him, so that we can find joy. Remember in Phillipians “for the joy set before Him, he endured the cross”. We embrace our sufferings,a nd He transforms them into joy. We give thanks to Him for the working through of our sufferings that He will do.

 

[nightranger]

Well, I did not mean to imply that being focused on the present and giving glory to God in the midst of our sufferings is “easy”. Of course you are right, it is easy when we are not suffering, but that does not alleviate us of our obligation when we are.

Well, fancy meeting you here. I will try to read the posts before I answer.

But to address your statement: to “alleviate my obligation” means nothing to me. I am no good at suffering, or watching others do so, and I never have been. I’m sure that makes me a bad Christian, but that’s the way it is.

I recently was meditating on this passage in Acts 16:19-26. Paul and Silas were stripped, beaten with rods until they were covered with welts, then chained to the floor in the inner prison. I must think they were suffering, and could not even turn over to ease their pain. What were they doing?

They were suffering to be sure. But like I said , I’m no saint. Never have been, never will be. So really, what are the questions here?

Am I a saint? No.

Can I then follow the examples of the Saints? Obviously not. Since I am not one, it follows that I lack the inner strength/faith to become one. To say otherwise would, at the very least, be a wild leap of logic.

So what am I left with? This life and it’s temporal punishments. That much is certain. Followed by purgatory (if I’m lucky) and even worse punishments.

Does that sound hopeful or joyful to me? No.

Should I be filled with Christian joy at these prospects? I don’t see why.

Am I a slave to selfish desires? Certainly. But God made me that way. I didn’t ask for it.

We are all called to be saints, and we are all given the same HS that Paul and Silas had. It is up to us if we are going to give thanks to God and sing hymns when we are suffering, or if we are going to feel sorry for ourselves. All of liefs suffering is an opportunity to unite our sufferings with those of Christ.

Respectfully, those are just platitudes. Honestly, can you think of a single human being that you know that actually gives "thanks to God " for their suffering? I can’t.

Yes, it falls to some to go out and be active in the community so that they can encounter friends. We are called to serve God, and in the process of that, marriage may be one way we do so, but for others called to the single life, we are to glorify God in whatever state we find ourselves.

Again, those are just platitudes. Nice sounding words meant to placate the miserable. The folks who joyfully bear their cross in reality have no cross to bear. That is unless they are truly saints (eg Mother Theresa), which I’m sure you’ll agree are quite rare.

 

[Anna_Scott]

You can almost get a day’s fill of Catholicism on here! The Mass can be accessed online through EWTN and you can also find a Catholic radio station near you that will bring you Catholic programming 24/7 and will answer a lot of your questions.

I also recommend having the daily mass readings delivered to your email. I like the Veritas

You can also get them from the US Bishops. If you use iTunes you can download the readings and a reflection, which will help you understand the way Catholics interpret scripture.

They are, like many anti-Catholics, just ignorant (lacking information). people make judgements on what they know (or don’t know) and sometimes they are erroneous. If your parents would not object, there is a free correspondence course on the Catholic faith. This is especially designed to be low profile for persons in your situation.

There is also a more extensive Catholic homestudy series.

If you work your way through these materials, you may be more informed than most Catholics by the time you are able to formally join the Church! You will be in my prayers.

G,

These are great links. I might check them out myself.

Peace,
Anna

 

[guanophore]

G,

These are great links. I might check them out myself.

Peace,
Anna

Hopefully one day you will be able to run the adult catechesis program in your local parish, so that at least people in your area will not need to send off for good material!

 

[Anna_Scott]

Hopefully one day you will be able to run the adult catechesis program in your local parish, so that at least people in your area will not need to send off for good material!

But–quano,
Don’t forget, I’m Anglican.

Anna

 

[guanophore]

But–quano,
Don’t forget, I’m Anglican.

Anna

I have not forgotten, my dear sister in Christ. But after all this time reading your posts, it has become clear that you are more Catholics than most of the Catholics in the pew next to me.

 

[Zooey]

You can almost get a day’s fill of Catholicism on here! The Mass can be accessed online through EWTN and you can also find a Catholic radio station near you that will bring you Catholic programming 24/7 and will answer a lot of your questions.

I also recommend having the daily mass readings delivered to your email. I like the Veritas

You can also get them from the US Bishops. If you use iTunes you can download the readings and a reflection, which will help you understand the way Catholics interpret scripture.

They are, like many anti-Catholics, just ignorant (lacking information). people make judgements on what they know (or don’t know) and sometimes they are erroneous. If your parents would not object, there is a free correspondence course on the Catholic faith. This is especially designed to be low profile for persons in your situation.

There is also a more extensive Catholic homestudy series.

If you work your way through these materials, you may be more informed than most Catholics by the time you are able to formally join the Church! You will be in my prayers.

There is also a more extensive Catholic homestudy series.

Repeated link is highly recommended!! I have learned a lot from these courses.
Above all, remember to pray & read your Bible. (There are several versions online). It is a privilege to:grouphug: meet a young person with such a thirst for God. May He richly bless you.

 

[Anna_Scott]

I have not forgotten, my dear sister in Christ. But after all this time reading your posts, it has become clear that you are more Catholics than most of the Catholics in the pew next to me.

Yikes!

Anna

 

[guanophore]

Yikes!

Anna

Yikes indeed!

 

[kellerk]

First of all, I just want to say that it seems you have something inside you drawing you to the church, *praise the Lord!! It’s not because someone told you something, it’s something supernatural. That would be the Holy Spirit in my opinion. Catholic stands for universal, that’s all it means, that was the will of our Lord to have one universal church, not 30,000 different denominations confusing everyone. They say Satan is the father of confusion. The only thing you should do about your parents is pray for them…often. Pray that the Holy Spirit will lead them also. Each one of us are on our own journey, be patient, it’ll all work out according to our Fathers plan.

 

[kellerk]

BTW, EWTN has daily mass on the radio, and the daily rosary!

 

[komeeks18]

First of all, I just want to say that it seems you have something inside you drawing you to the church, *praise the Lord!! It’s not because someone told you something, it’s something supernatural. That would be the Holy Spirit in my opinion. Catholic stands for universal, that’s all it means, that was the will of our Lord to have one universal church, not 30,000 different denominations confusing everyone. They say Satan is the father of confusion. The only thing you should do about your parents is pray for them…often. Pray that the Holy Spirit will lead them also. Each one of us are on our own journey, be patient, it’ll all work out according to our Fathers plan.

BTW, EWTN has daily mass on the radio, and the daily rosary!

Yes, I completely agree with you! I definitely believe God is drawing me to the Catholic Church. And I’ve been praying about my parents practically every day, so I pray He will help them, also. (What a tough job that will be, but nothing God can’t handle, haha! ) Thank you!

 

[guanophore]

Yes, I completely agree with you! I definitely believe God is drawing me to the Catholic Church. And I’ve been praying about my parents practically every day, so I pray He will help them, also. (What a tough job that will be, but nothing God can’t handle, haha! ) Thank you!

1 Peter 3:1-3… be submissive to your (parents), so that some, though they do not obey the word, may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives, 2 when they see your reverent and chaste behavior.

Your character will bear witness.

 

[rfournier103]

I wanted my 100th post to be something VERY cool, so here goes…

Two or three days ago I bought “The New Catholic Answer Bible” at the local Christian bookstore. I have to say I am totally blown away by it. It has 88 pages of inserts explaining Church teaching, ritual, and history. The footnotes are amazing, and it’s all put together in a very easy to read way. It has all 72 books of the Bible, and prefaces before each book. I would highly reccomend it to you, komeeks, or anyone else here at CAF. [BIBLEDRB][/BIBLEDRB]

 

[AdamP88]

#1) DO NOT! REPEAT DO NOT ! go behind your parents back.4th commandment honor your father and mother #2) see #1

The first commandment is: I am the Lord your God you shall have no other God before Me.

If you are sincere in your desire to learn about the Church and truly believe that you are pursuing the will of God and the truth - you are not breaking any commandment. You are in fact - following God. God comes above all things - even the commands of our parents.