Personal relationship with Jesus

[Chantal25]

Continue to pray sweet heart and pray for them too.

When you follow Jesus teaching and care for anyone, you care for him and how couldn’t you have a personal experience with Jesus himself. Mother Teresa understand this concept, this is why, she couldn’t bare to see anyone abandon in the street and alone because she saw Christ in them.

By practicing the sacrament, you are receiving Jesus himself in you, you are having a personal interaction with him through the priest when you confess your sin. The catholic church is spiritual and follow the teaching of the Apostle that followed the teaching of Jesus. In my heart the Catholic church is the true church and practicing it, protect us in so many ways. It contains all the sacrament from Jesus teaching. Even the one that is the closest to the Catholic doesn’t have the true Eucharist or confession.

Mother Mary says in one of her message that Evil is the one that created the split of the church.

You are loved always, and you are so so dear. As they are, they are loved and they are so so dear. Pray the rosary and pray for all the flock of Jesus to stay safe, protected and for the lost ones to find their way or be guided to safety.

Hugs and love to you!

 

[AlanFromWichita]

But this spiritual sloth…a tendency to just sort of “drift along”…has been a character flaw of mine for a great many years…and of course other things are mixed in…principally pride (of course) and also presumption…

I’ve had plenty of time “drifting along” where I didn’t accomplish certain things, but I never thought a lot about spiritual sloth. Sloth in general, but not spiritual. Spiritually I’m ready to climb Mt. Everest. But if it involves going somewhere, looking through this heap of stuff to find something, or whatever, I can put it off for weeks at a time. It’s very possible I don’t understand what spiritual sloth actually is.

So as you can see, while I am able to give sound advice to others based on what God has shown me…I have a devil of a time getting myself to consistently apply those lessons to my own spiritual life.

I hope you’re taking into account the many people to you bless here. That is your work, not only faith. Q: How many people have found comfort through your words: a) about 500, b) more like 1,000, or c) countless thousands? For myself, I’ve decided the rest of my life is going to help others achieve spiritual unity, at a level that transcends even a belief system. CAF is my lab, my exercise room, my garden, and when I see others pick up on something I wrote and use it to bless another person – not quoting me but using it as their own – it doesn’t get any better. But then my work on CAF prepares me to have the same sort of loving interfaces “in person,” so that I spend my awkwardness here and can be smooth both here and in person then. :harp:

Thankfully - My Lord is nothing if not tenacious and often at night, as I say my evening prayers, He will nudge me - reminding me of things I said here on CAF - and asking, “Why aren’t you practicing what you preach?”…
A good question my Lord…one I really don’t have a good answer for…

This brings up another question. How often does the Lord speak to you about things others have told you that opened your eyes? Surely you must take something from CAF and not just give?

So my prayer becomes this…
"Heavenly Father, I am a poor, and inconstant servant; lazy and unprofitable. I am unworthy to seek your favor, but look to your mercy and love as a child seeks his parents arms.

Hope this answers your question Alan…

It really does. I hope I didn’t put you on the spot, but gosh you help so many of us that when I saw maybe we could help you, alarms went off in my mind. :bluelite:

As far as your prayer, of course the Spirit will lead you to it. But personally I would be concerned about approaching the Lord in a state of guilt and shame, and only in such a state do I think I could recite that prayer. Why does God need behavioral adjectives? Like to say you’re a poor servant, I think is fine. But inconstant, lazy, and unprofitable, to me that doesn’t sound like humility; it sounds more like self-deprecation. If you say “I am this,” then “this” becomes your name rather than a temporary condition. I might offer a slight rewording, something like: “Heavenly Father, I am a poor servant, and I’ve had trouble with motivation and low achievements lately. I ask that you help bring me to you, and show me the way w.r.t. the problems I mentioned. In Jesus’s name.”

Brother, you have built up so many people so greatly and for so long, it’s time for me to suggest you start applying it to yourself. Treat yourself the way you treat others. Don’t tell yourself or tell God anything you wouldn’t say about others. It’s OK; you are worth it. And if you build yourself up, that will empower you to build up others all the more. Maybe it’s finally YOUR time? :bounce:

Oh, and about self-deprecation: Here’s a humorous scene from Monty Python, involving groveling before God.

I’d like to dedicate this scripture to you. I just read it through, imagining it was you talking to the collective CAF posters: 1 cor 9:1-12.

Alan

 

[JRKH]

I’ve had plenty of time “drifting along” where I didn’t accomplish certain things, but I never thought a lot about spiritual sloth. Sloth in general, but not spiritual. Spiritually I’m ready to climb Mt. Everest. But if it involves going somewhere, looking through this heap of stuff to find something, or whatever, I can put it off for weeks at a time. It’s very possible I don’t understand what spiritual sloth actually is.

Well - Sloth for me can and does involve both kinds…It is a battle…

I hope you’re taking into account the many people to you bless here. That is your work, not only faith. Q: How many people have found comfort through your words: a) about 500, b) more like 1,000, or c) countless thousands?

Thank you for these kinds words…If anything I have typed has been of service to others…It is by the Holy Spirit and not me.

For myself, I’ve decided the rest of my life is going to help others achieve spiritual unity, at a level that transcends even a belief system. CAF is my lab, my exercise room, my garden, and when I see others pick up on something I wrote and use it to bless another person – not quoting me but using it as their own – it doesn’t get any better. But then my work on CAF prepares me to have the same sort of loving interfaces “in person,” so that I spend my awkwardness here and can be smooth both here and in person then. :harp:

Indeed - A wonderful description of CAF…It is indeed a wonderful training ground, check against excess, way to “float” ideas and insights and to improve.
You have been a great blessing to many here and I am glad to count you among my friends - and I think - a kindred Spirit.

This brings up another question. How often does the Lord speak to you about things others have told you that opened your eyes? Surely you must take something from CAF and not just give?

Gee I could never quantify what I receive from our Lord through CAF. I take away something nearly every day…It’s just being able to consistently apply the lessons to myself that becomes the problem…

It really does. I hope I didn’t put you on the spot, but gosh you help so many of us that when I saw maybe we could help you, alarms went off in my mind. :bluelite:

No problem. If I were unwilling to share my faults and struggles with my brothers…THAT would clearly indicate spiritual pride…

As far as your prayer, of course the Spirit will lead you to it. But personally I would be concerned about approaching the Lord in a state of guilt and shame, and only in such a state do I think I could recite that prayer. Why does God need behavioral adjectives? Like to say you’re a poor servant, I think is fine. But inconstant, lazy, and unprofitable, to me that doesn’t sound like humility; it sounds more like self-deprecation. If you say “I am this,” then “this” becomes your name rather than a temporary condition. I might offer a slight rewording, something like: “Heavenly Father, I am a poor servant, and I’ve had trouble with motivation and low achievements lately. I ask that you help bring me to you, and show me the way w.r.t. the problems I mentioned. In Jesus’s name.”

When praying…We must lay before God who we see ourselves to be. Certainly God needs no adjectives…such prayers are generally more about placing our own view of our broken selves before Him.
Yes - such things CAN indicate a spiritual pride - But I am reminded of two verses from Scripture that, while separated in the Gospels, fit together so very nicely.
they are:
So you also, when you have done all that is commanded you, say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.’" (Luke 17:10)

His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a little, I will set you over much; enter into the joy of your master.’ (Mt 25:21)
So I recognize and pray from my own unworthiness in the hope of hearing my Lord respond that I’ve done OK…

Brother, you have built up so many people so greatly and for so long, it’s time for me to suggest you start applying it to yourself. Treat yourself the way you treat others. Don’t tell yourself or tell God anything you wouldn’t say about others. It’s OK; you are worth it. And if you build yourself up, that will empower you to build up others all the more. Maybe it’s finally YOUR time? :bounce:

Thank you for your kind words.
As you know, in the spiritual journey it can be a delicate balance between “prideful presumption”, and “despair”. The only way we can really strike that balance is to remain firmly focused on the goal of God and the unitive power and strength of Agape.
Only by doing this can we rightly discern our strengths, our weakness and our path.

I’d like to dedicate this scripture to you. I just read it through, imagining it was you talking to the collective CAF posters: 1 cor 9:1-12.

I don’t know what to say…I simply cannot see this as being applicable to me…
But thank you for that kind thought.

Peace
James

 

[AlanFromWichita]

Thank you for these kinds words…If anything I have typed has been of service to others…It is by the Holy Spirit and not me.

I agree. You surrender, the Spirit moves your fingers, and the seeds go out with the click of the submit button. Is that what it feels like, or does it take more effort than that? I usually just whip something out then spend 10 minutes going back and tweaking it both before and after “submit.”

Gee I could never quantify what I receive from our Lord through CAF. I take away something nearly every day…It’s just being able to consistently apply the lessons to myself that becomes the problem…

Is it possible you’re trying to use will power and intellect planning, assessing, and attempting to carry out implementations of the lessons? Just the word “problem” triggers me to wonder if you don’t feel a responsibility for certain symptomatic improvements and are disappointed when they don’t come through… this may not apply to you but those are some thoughts I had FWIW.

I don’t know what to say…I simply cannot see this as being applicable to me…
But thank you for that kind thought.

You played a meaningful role in my own development, by exchanging posts along the way with me. You might remember some of my more manic times during which you continued to be reasonable and respectful with me. I understand humility concerns, but I just didn’t want you to think that you were somehow less – anything less than all God has for you to be at this exact time and place, all the time.

And if you mess up like I do at implementing lessons to self, then I realize I can’t put myself down about it. Just like pitching a baseball. Keep improving it until you throw mostly strikes. In the meanwhile, enjoy growing in skills.

Peace and love,
Alan

 

[DebChris]

Often when an evangelical non-Catholic talks about having a relationship with Jesus Christ, they are talking about a one time decision that they have made to accept Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. This one decision “guarantees” their salvation.

Salvation is more than a one time decision. It is a process. I once heard the story of how a man, a non-Catholic, countered this idea of “once saved, always saved.” As a rancher, he pointed to what happens if you don’t change the water in the water barrels. They get wigglers. If we neglect our relationship with Christ, we return to sin.
The desire of any Christian should be to grow his or her relationship with our Lord. How do we do that? We spend time with Him in prayer and in reading His Word. As Catholics, we receive HIm in the Eucharist, the source and summit of our Faith. We allow Him to transform us into the creature He would have us be.

Where does Mary figure in all this? Mary is daughter of the Father, spouse of the Holy Spirit, and mother of our Lord. As a child of the Father, Mary was created just as the rest of us were created. Unlike the rest of us creatures, she remained sinless. Her fiat, her yes to being impregnated by the power of the Holy Spirit made our Salvation possible. When we honor Mary, we honor the Son she bore as the Ark of the New Covenant. From the cross, Jesus gave His mother to us to be our mother when He placed her in the care of John. In his book, True Devotion to Mary, Louis DeMontfort writes about how Mary takes our poor prayers and brings them to her Son. She takes the dandelion we picked, our prayer, and puts it in a silver vase to give to her Son. Mary is not God. She is a creature who reflects God’s glory in the same way that the moon reflects the light of the sun. Mary leads us to Christ who leads us to the Father.

I have spent much time with non-Catholics. I have attended their services. I have heard prayers for the conversion of Catholics. They have been surprised on discovering what Catholics really believe; they did not know that Catholics believe in the Resurrection. Those who think that Catholics do not have a personal relationship lack an understanding of what the Catholic Church actually teaches.
As many priests have pointed out in their homilies, our God is more than a personal God. We share a communal relationship with Jesus Christ. Every Catholic is a member of the Body of Christ. We affirm this with our “Amen” when we receive the Eucharist.