Mass doesn't spiritually motivate me...?

[M1Garand]

I am going to give you some really unorthodox advice. I encourage you to go to those evangelical services for a while and see how they appeal to you after the novelty wears off. I did this back in my searching days and what I found was that after the first one or two times the services became very one dimensional. I became irritated because, despite the great preacher and killer guitarist, there was no private prayer at all, no sense of the presence of God the whole focus was on the performance. The pastor would invite us to pray but he never would be quite. Also there is no room for the Blessed Virgin and that is the last straw for me. So I say go for it and see what you think. So get dressed up, grab your KJ bible and go by yourself to the evangelical/protestant church of your choice but go without your friends around so they are not their to feed off of their energy. After all in a few years they wont be around to fill your voids.

 

[johnnyc176]

As others have suggested read A Biblical Walk Through the Mass by Dr. Edward Sri and I would add this excellent talk by Dr. Brant Pitre…

store.catholicproductions.com/the-road-to-emmaus-dvd/

As for going to both a protestant service and a Catholic Mass, take note of what CA’s Fr. Vincent Serpa advises…

forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=229077

In the first place a Catholic has no business attending Protestant church services even occasionally. To participate in a heretical worship service and especially a communion service can be sinful for a Catholic because such an act is an affirmation of what we believe to be untrue. To attend an ecumenical service or a wedding or baptism is allowed, but Catholics are not allowed to attend such churches for the main reason of worship. Now if there are no Catholic churches in the vicinity on a Sunday, Catholics are allowed to participate in the Liturgy of Churches whose clergy are validly ordained such as the Eastern Orthodox Churches—including the reception of the Eucharist. Although we consider them to be in schism (not in union with the Pope) with the Catholic Church, such Churches are not heretical and share our basic beliefs

I hope this was helpful to you. God Bless!

 

[ProVobis]

I know how you feel. I remember serving as an altar boy and being troubled by the vacuous stares of the faithful as father droned on through another homily about God’s love and went through the motions.

In college I nearly left the faith because of what I viewed as a lack of energy in mass. I just could not get motivated to attend.

Thankfully, in my early 20s I discovered the Traditional Latin Mass and it really saved me. The community is awesome, the traditions are rich, and the mass is truly blessed! Some people say it is very similar to the modern mass, but my personal opinion is that it is very different, in almost every aspect from big things like the role of the priest and the quality of homilies to little things such as how people dress and act.

I would encourage you to try it out for a year and see how it goes.

Indeed.

Also there are some Eastern rite churches which are in communion with the Church. These liturgies too are beautiful.

 

[Kal2012]

So I’m at a crossroads. I know the Catholic Church was original and I want to keep going, but these more modern churches just motivate me so much. Does anyone else have this problem? Do I just go to both?

@NextElement: Note from a Protestant Convert to Catholicism:

The Eucharist is the most personal experience you can have with Jesus Christ, but you still want to feel something that “moves you”. I don’t get it! Seriously…

I’m not a Catholic because Mass “moves me”. I’m a Catholic because the Catholic Church teaches the whole faith and fulfills me in ways that Protestantism never could.

As much as the Mass is hard for me (because of the lack of emotionalism), I always find beauty in it. Sometimes, I have to stretch my thinking to get there, but I always try to find something wonderful in it. I love singing (badly - I’m not a great singer) the Gloria. I love watching everyone in the service go up and participate and share in the Eucharist. I love how my priest inspires me to be a better Christian. You can find parishes that are more ‘modern’ and still Catholic. Find a priest that motivates you.

Also, in larger parishes/cities, there are many ways for younger Catholics to go out and have fun with their peers. You need to seek out those opportunities.

Honestly, my main motivation is my relationship with God. I know that the Catholic Church is the truth. If that’s the place that’s teaching the whole story about God then that’s where I need to be. Mass really isn’t the motivator for me. That’s something I’m working on and need to pray more consistently about. I go because it’s an Obligation and I’m told that I need to show up on Obligation Days. (Hey - I’m being honest!)

I’m not going to suggest that you can’t find God at the Mega-churches. I know you can because that’s the background that I come out of, but why settle for less than the truth? Why go backwards? Do you even get how much of the true faith that they leave out of their teachings?

I get wanting to leave because I know other Catholics who have done the same thing - however, I find it kind of ironic that this group of people is attracted to the things that I’m running away from.

I’m sorry if my post seems unconnected; however, I don’t have the time to edit it and I wanted to be sure that I got all my thoughts out.

 

[InLight247]

See people’s comment. This is a great program. The DVD and the book are both incredible!
It has bee offered to our parish and used for our RCIA.

ascensionpress.com/products/a-biblical-walk-through-the-mass-understanding-what-we-say-and-do-in-the-liturgy

 

[bben15]

Maybe you should find a more spiritually-fulfilling Catholic service. You could attend a Traditional Latin Mass, or you could attend a Byzantine Catholic Divine Liturgy. Or you could go to a Syro-Malabar church. There are some spiritually-fulfilling Catholic services out there. The Mass isn’t just one of them. Try out some difference services, and see what you like. Remember, there are twenty-three churches of the Catholic Church. Each have a pretty distinct liturgy. I’m sure you’ll find one you like!

P.S., the good news is: Each one of these liturgies fulfills the obligation, even if you are a Latin Catholic, so you could go make the church you like your regular church!