New Catholic, where do I find guidance re: social justice

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Bill_7154

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Hello all,
I am newly catholic. I was raised catholic. I was not invested at that time. Nor was I invested as a young adult. Or as pre ‘middle age’. I am now 45 and for the first time in my life have truely and fully (to the best of my ability) turned over my life and my will to Jesus Christ as my lord and savior and become truely invested in becoming a Catholic.

Through my life I have believed in God and Jesus, with doubts at times (sometimes for moments, sometimes for months) but was never invested in living my life as a Catholic. I prayed through my life, to God and to Jesus, to do their will and not my own. But I was not a true member of the Catholic Church or Catholic Faith in my heart and soul. I prayed on my own. I have also read and believed in the bible through the years, off and on.

I have recently (by my father, who became invested in being a Catholic 10 or so years ago) had it suggested to me that the Holy Spirit has lead me to my faith. I am not sure if that is what happened but I am sure I have underwent a profound change of heart and am invested for the first time in truely and to the best of my ability, learn about and follow the teachings of Jesus Christ as a member of the Catholic Faith.

My questions are:

How and where do I get my guidance when it comes to matters of social justice? I am of the opinion at this time that I should get them from the laws of God and the teachings of Jesus Christ. I am of the opinion that all men are fallible, all men make mistakes and only God and Jesus Christ are perfect. I know that I have a lot to learn. I am very greatful that I have become a member of this forum as I am able to connect to other Catholics. I go to Church now. I go to Confession now. I pray to recognize temptation to sin and pray for the strenght to avoid sin. I pray thanking God and Jesus Christ for my Faith that I have rediscovered, or possibly discovered, for the first time in my life. I pray in thanks for all of the help I have received through prayer since this change I have recently experienced.

But I see, among all men, differences of opinion when it comes to policies and practices when it comes to social justice. And although I have not been paying particular attention, it seems to me that among Catholics people’s opinions differ when it comes to how to address social justice. I do not claim to have the correct answers to the myriad of issues when it comes to social justice. But it is my belief that the best place for me to find such answers is in the teachings of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Is there somewhere higher I should look, a higher authority? In the world today there are millions of laws made by man, in dozens of different countries, by men of different faiths (or lack thereof). Are any of them a higher authority? Are any religious leaders a higher authority than Jesus Christ? Can anyone claim with absolute certainty that they know with 100% accuracy exactly what Jesus Christ would have done when it comes to the proposal of one particular law or rule of man?

Is there anywhere or anyone, who speaks the word of Jesus Christ better than the Bible? I’m guessing that different people interpret what they read in the bible differently, even the same person reading the same passages, at different points in their life.

So, in short, in my view at this point in my faith I am of the belief that I should be getting my guidance and direction when it comes to social justice from the bible, the word of God, the teachings of Jesus Christ as spoken through the bible.

How far off base am I? What am I missing that is of critical importance when it come to my interpretation of what Jesus would have me do and believe when it comes to matters of social justice?

Any and all comments are appreciated. As I said, I have a lot to learn and am new to my faith. I think I am on the right course but would like to hear the opinions of others, particularly if there are matters of critical importance as a follower of Jesus Christ when it comes to me and my intersecting with matters related to social justice.

Thank you all for being here and God Bless you all. I am very greatful for the tremedous gift I have been given by opening my heart and soul to Jesus and wish to be the best Catholic I can be. I will take me a lifetime and I will always fall short, as I am human. I have a short time on this earth and want to be on the correct path and not be going in the wrong direction. I do not think I am but am seeking (name removed by moderator)ut from others here on this matter.

Thanks again.
 
The Catechism will give you sound guidance. In addition, check out Papal Encyclicals.👍
 
Thanks for the replies. I have those on my list now.

I also remember a few years ago my father gave me a small booklet with various prayers in it along with promises to those who said the prayers. Is anyone familiar with what I am talking about? I’m a little embarrassed to ask my father for the book again or what it’s name was, it was really like a small 25 page paperback book that was the size of about 3" by 3" or something small like that. Or any similar book of prayers and promises regarding being a person of Catholic Faith.

Right now I am just saying the Our Father, the Hail Mary, and the Glory Be To Fhe Father, as well as the prayer you say after confession. And the Rosery, as well as general prayers directed toward receiving help to be a better person in the eyes of the Lord, often specific to struggles that I face, as well as thanks for all the assistance I get, and praying to be worthy to have my prayers answered and strength and guidance and assistance along that path.

I have a difficult time with many things, one of them being socialization, hense my presence on the internet. I hope to expand my connections with other Catholics in life outside the internet in the future.

Again, all suggestions and guidance would be most appreciated.
Thank you.
 
One of the best sources I have found for information on spiritual formation is the US Conference of Catholic Bishops website, www.usccb.org. Just some of the various things they have available:
  • Complete text of the Catechism (I know the Vatican and other sites have it as well, but the format & readability on the USCCB web site are MUCH better).
  • Catholic social justice teachings, with a specific focus on modern American life.
  • Too many other good things to list! 🙂
Just on a side note, I’d stick to “official” Catholic websites for information until you have a solid footing on Catholic teaching. Why? Well, like any subject, you can find a LOT of information on Catholicism: some very good, some not-so-good, some downright heretical. It is sometimes difficult to discern what is true until you have a good basis on Catholic teachings, so it would like be best to stick to the “authoritative sources” until that point.

God bless and good luck! 👍

Dean
 
dean24us said:
Just on a side note, I’d stick to “official” Catholic websites for information until you have a solid footing on Catholic teaching. Why? Well, like any subject, you can find a LOT of information on Catholicism: some very good, some not-so-good, some downright heretical. It is sometimes difficult to discern what is true until you have a good basis on Catholic teachings, so it would like be best to stick to the “authoritative sources” until that point.

God bless and good luck! 👍

Dean
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Thanks. My father told me the exact same thing. How do I know if a site is an ‘official’ Catholic website so I am not ensnared into falseness? I think I am fairly smart but don’t think I am as smart as the devil and want to be sure I stay on the straight and narrow as best I can but am not sure I know how to discern whether or not a site is an official Catholic website.

Thanks.
 
I went through and I am still going through what you are. I’ve only been back to the church for about 3 years. It’s very hard to get any guidance on anything regarding the practice and beliefs of Catholicism. The Priests are too busy for guidance, but if it’s real important to you and you can’t seem to find it in the Bible or the Catechism wait for the Priest when he has time, though sometimes they are not always right.
I have found through the Bible and the church’s teachings you can find your way through it all. Your gut will tell you. Listen….be still…quite….pray and you will get a very real sense to your answer. Most of the time we know what the right thing is. but what makes it hard is to do it. The journey is never ever easy. It has to be the most difficult decision I’ve ever made to follow Jesus and follow the truth. As difficult as it has been it has been the most rewarding, peaceful, joyful feeling I’ve every experienced in my life. My thinking has changed completely, and I like it. You abandon yourself, don’t attach yourself to anything, always count on Jesus and you will never be disappointed and remember his ways are not our ways, his thoughts are not our thoughts and his time is not our time. Have a strong faith, a strong trust and a strong belief and you will be just fine even in the midst of horrible suffering you will be able to have some peace. I would of never ever believed this if i had not experienced the love from God. 👍
 
Hi,regarding the book you were talking about,i do not know the one you are talking about,but there are so many wonderful Catholic prayer books out now.I would check out some catholic book websites if you do not have a catholic bookstore near you.EWTN has books on their website ,also catholic book publishers Marys Call,Marian helpers paulist press just to nasme a few.God Bless You debbie.
 
Bill_7154 said:
Thanks. My father told me the exact same thing. How do I know if a site is an ‘official’ Catholic website so I am not ensnared into falseness? I think I am fairly smart but don’t think I am as smart as the devil and want to be sure I stay on the straight and narrow as best I can but am not sure I know how to discern whether or not a site is an official Catholic website.

Thanks.
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Check with us. 😃 You will know it in a heartbeat.

vatican.va is a good one.🙂
catholic.com another.
ewtn.com - of course
catholicedication.com
 
Thanks again to you all. I’m actually tearing up with joy right now. 🙂
 
Caritas in Veritate.

You can look at the usccb website for ways to apply it to American life but you are under no obligation to listen to their documents; they are just to inform you.
 
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