Personal relationship with Jesus

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jmoburg

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I often feel I’m behind many of our protestant brothers and sisters when it comes to the personal relationship I have with Jesus. While listening to some of the popular Catholic Priests via radio (the father larry richards etc) they describe a bit of that personal relationship. So far, I don’t have it. I’ve tried, maybe not tried hard enough … just not sure. I’ve got incredible respect/reverence for him, but I don’t feel the personal relationship as if I know him. I know his stories from the New Testament, not like I know some favorite movies of mine, but I’m trying.

Here’s what’s a little scary. I heard a homily via radio saying something to the effect of this: “If you love Jesus more than anything, one day he’ll give you the chance to have all that you love in the fullest dose for all eternity” – then it went on to something about “If you don’t like praising now… you’re not going to like heaven” “That which you spend the most time with demonstrates what you really love” “If money isn’t he most important thing in the world, but Jesus is… and if Jesus was going to visit a town in a few weeks we’d probably drop everything and come running… but he’s present every Mass, and if we skip Mass…what are we saying to Jesus”

Am I just too involved in my own world? Work consumes the 40-60 hours, I like it, don’t love it. I like to watch movies, I love my family and friends, I love to eat… I go to Mass because I believe I should and I feel better for going (rather than guilty for not). I’m at mass, I’m praying, I’m reflecting,… and Mass does mean something to me. I enjoy listening to Catholic Radio while in the car, and I occasionally read the Bible… but those actions don’t dominate my life like others do – so I’ve got some fear/guilt going on. I occasionally think that a monk/nun is a true dedication to God, and that that life truly could be argued that the time they spend and enjoy is actually dominated by God, not worldly things unlike myself.

Any thoughts?
 
I_Believe said:
Hi jmoburg, why not get closer to Him ? Try an Hour of Adoration.

Chicago has numerous Churches, some with Perpetual Adoration.

Find them here…
therealpresence.org/chap_fr.htm

God Bless
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An excellent suggestion and one I second. Eucharistic Adoration can bring anyone’s relationship with Jesus closer. Our relationship may not be on a personal level… it’s on a level deeper than that. I never have really liked the Protestant terminology… He is our creator, savior, redeemer, and our essence is owed to Him. our relationship with Him should be so much more than on a ‘personal’ level as if we own Him.
 
jmoburg said:
Am I just too involved in my own world? Work consumes the 40-60 hours, I like it, don’t love it. I like to watch movies, I love my family and friends, I love to eat… I go to Mass because I believe I should and I feel better for going (rather than guilty for not). I’m at mass, I’m praying, I’m reflecting,… and Mass does mean something to me. I enjoy listening to Catholic Radio while in the car, and I occasionally read the Bible… but those actions don’t dominate my life like others do – so I’ve got some fear/guilt going on. I occasionally think that a monk/nun is a true dedication to God, and that that life truly could be argued that the time they spend and enjoy is actually dominated by God, not worldly things unlike myself.

Any thoughts?
Click to expand...
These are all really great things you are doing. I also second the suggestion to spend an hour a week in Adoration. Maybe you could pick one day, sacrifice one hour of TV (pretty easy), and sign up for that hour at a local Parish. It will provide you with a bit more of a committment to go and spend that time with the Lord. I used to think of it as my weekly “date” with Christ.

I have to admit that God cracked open my heart when He brought me back to the Church four years ago. I instantly fell in love. But in order to keep that relationship vital, I had to make it real and present every day. It became very natural for me to simply “talk” to God all day long. Sometimes, if you pay attention to your thoughts, you begin to realize that the stuff floating around in your mind is really a conversation you are having with yourself. Why not direct those thoughts to Jesus? I don’t spare Him any tedious details of my day. Running late to work? I tell Him. Not feeling well? I tell Him. The cake I slaved over for 2 hours didn’t come out right? I tell Him. Mother Angelica says Christ is waiting to hear all about the minutiae of our lives. In our daily conversation with Him, He will draw closer and make Himself known in all kinds of marvelous ways.
 
but he’s present every Mass, and if we skip Mass…what are we saying to Jesus
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“The Sabboth was made for man, not man for the Sabboth”. We could all go to Mass 24/7, but Jesus didn’t ask us to do that. God doesn’t want us to feel guilty. Mass is a celebration!

When I’m sick, I stay home. I’m not telling God I hate Him or I care more about myself than about Him. I can’t make it to daily Mass this semester because I have class when it is offered. I’m not telling God that my degree is more important than Him. Mass is offered 6 times on Sundays at my church. It would be kind of silly if I attended all 6 Masses, don’t you think? Not because I don’t love God enough to do it, but because that isn’t what God wants me to do.

Think about the Bible. It’s God’s word. It’s important to read. Does that mean the Bible is the only thing we should ever read. No newspapers, no books, no menus, nothing? No. God made the Mass for us. We are called to go to Mass every Sunday and Holy Day of obligation. Going the rest of the week is something extra we can do if we have time and desire.

If God wanted us all to be priests and nuns, He’d have called us all to be priests and nuns (and come up with some other way to continue the human race). But He didn’t. He calls us to follow different paths. If I became a nun without being called to it, that wouldn’t be respectful of God and it wouldn’t be what He wants for me.

Always strive to grow closer to God. That doesn’t mean glue your bottom to the pew and never leave. You’re supposed to go where God calls you. You’re supposed to live in this world He created. Live for God. Then every moment of your life is a prayer. Even when you’re going to movies, even when you’re eating, even when you’re showering. All of this can be a prayer to God!

As for “If you don’t like praising now… you’re not going to like heaven”, that is not true. Some of our most holy saints constantly struggled in their faith and received no satisfaction in it. Mother Theresa was this way. I have no doubt that she is in Heaven enjoying paradise! No one is uncomfortable or bored in Heaven. Heaven won’t be like going to Mass. It’ll be beyond anything we can imagine!

Take a breath and let God live in you. Constantly re-invite Him into your life. He knows our hearts. He knows what we need. He’ll help with your relationship! I’ll be praying for you.

❤️
 
Personal relationships take time and effort to grow. I don’t know if you are married or not; but, if you are, you would not have gotten that way if you hadd not taken the time and the effort to get to know your spouse.
tha same is true with Jesus. Take the time. Expend some effort. Don’t just ask him to tell you about himself. Sit down with him and tell him about you.
You don’t need “an hour of adoration” per se, though it is great if you can do it. Even if He is not exposed and you just sit in front of the Tabernacle and talk to him, it will make all the difference in the world!
Love is a desicion, not an emotion. Intimacy comes with knowledge of one another. Go and be intimate with Jesus. Sit and bare your soul. Be honest. Be true. Express whatever you think and feel. He can take it. He took the cross.
“Behold, I stand at the gate and knock. If any man (this includes women) shall hear my voice, and open to me the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.”
You have heard him knock. Open the door…sit down and discuss everything that matters and nothing at all, just as you would with anyone else you love, except that his love is perfvect.
 
jmoburg said:
I often feel I’m behind many of our protestant brothers and sisters when it comes to the personal relationship I have with Jesus. While listening to some of the popular Catholic Priests via radio (the father larry richards etc) they describe a bit of that personal relationship. So far, I don’t have it. I’ve tried, maybe not tried hard enough … just not sure. I’ve got incredible respect/reverence for him, but I don’t feel the personal relationship as if I know him. I know his stories from the New Testament, not like I know some favorite movies of mine, but I’m trying.

Here’s what’s a little scary. I heard a homily via radio saying something to the effect of this: “If you love Jesus more than anything, one day he’ll give you the chance to have all that you love in the fullest dose for all eternity” – then it went on to something about “If you don’t like praising now… you’re not going to like heaven” “That which you spend the most time with demonstrates what you really love” “If money isn’t he most important thing in the world, but Jesus is… and if Jesus was going to visit a town in a few weeks we’d probably drop everything and come running… but he’s present every Mass, and if we skip Mass…what are we saying to Jesus”

Am I just too involved in my own world? Work consumes the 40-60 hours, I like it, don’t love it. I like to watch movies, I love my family and friends, I love to eat… I go to Mass because I believe I should and I feel better for going (rather than guilty for not). I’m at mass, I’m praying, I’m reflecting,… and Mass does mean something to me. I enjoy listening to Catholic Radio while in the car, and I occasionally read the Bible… but those actions don’t dominate my life like others do – so I’ve got some fear/guilt going on. I occasionally think that a monk/nun is a true dedication to God, and that that life truly could be argued that the time they spend and enjoy is actually dominated by God, not worldly things unlike myself.

Any thoughts?
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You sound like a perfect candidate for Charismatic renewal. We live in a contemporary World, so most of us need lively contemporary worship to refresh our soul. The Charismatics are non-denominational, so many Catholics visit us and praise the Lord without fear of joining another church. And yes, the Pope says it’s okay for Catholics to be Charismatic. The music is Christian light rock, and you are free to scream as loud as you can, “Thank you Jesus”.

.
 
jmoburg said:
Am I just too involved in my own world? Work consumes the 40-60 hours, I like it, don’t love it. I like to watch movies, I love my family and friends, I love to eat… I go to Mass because I believe I should and I feel better for going (rather than guilty for not). I’m at mass, I’m praying, I’m reflecting,… and Mass does mean something to me. I enjoy listening to Catholic Radio while in the car, and I occasionally read the Bible… but those actions don’t dominate my life like others do – so I’ve got some fear/guilt going on. I occasionally think that a monk/nun is a true dedication to God, and that that life truly could be argued that the time they spend and enjoy is actually dominated by God, not worldly things unlike myself.
Click to expand...
That’s how I feel, too, sometimes. My advice is that if something is that important to you, you will make time for it.
 
The mere fact that you are asking these questions are a sign of God’s grace working in you. That’s great!

Since you are in Chicago, have you attended a TLM? You might find the “old ways” draw you into a deeper relationship with the Lord and His Church…many do.

Here are some around Chicago:

Shrine of Christ the King
St. John Cantius
St. Thomas Moore

In addition to Eucharistic adoration - I’d also recommend the rosary. Try it once a week at first. Just get away from everything, lock yourself in a quiet room, and say one. Our Lady does wonders in bringing you closer to Her Son. It’s what she does 🙂 .
BTW - about Eucharistic Adoration, the Shrine of Christ the King (listed above) will have 40-hours devotion Friday-Sunday, September 14-16th. Might be a good opportunity to get introduced.

Peace in Christ,

DustinsDad
 
Besides all the great advices, I believe the most important part of being so personal related with Christ is to be able to receive His Body and Blood.

Nothing gets more personal than this, and you don’t get this anywhere except at a Catholic church. 🙂
 
water said:
Besides all the great advices, I believe the most important part of being so personal related with Christ is to be able to receive His Body and Blood.

Nothing gets more personal than this, and you don’t get this anywhere except at a Catholic church. 🙂
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AMEN, AMEN, AMEN:signofcross:
 
As always-- sound advice from Catholic Answers! I’m going to attempt implementing your advice (mostly trying to get an adoration in here or there and maybe even weekly). I love that I can count on a group of people, that I don’t even know personally, to give me such sound advice on sensitive topics. Maybe someday I’ll be the one answering questions rather than asking 🙂
God Bless everyone! & thanks again-
james
 
The relationship we seek with God is a work in progress so to speak, little baby steps. I do believe it is a gift from God. I would be persistant in prayer, and ask the Holy Spirit to come into your heart.
Yes, I agree with others, that adoring the Blessed Sacrament, a beautiful way to be nearer to the Lord.

I will keep you in my prayers.

Blessings
 
Just ignore that “If you don’t like praising now… you’re not going to like heaven”, I have been told over and over by priests and spiritual advisors that “feelings don’t count”–if God doesn’t grant them to you, don’t stress over it. As long as you are doing your part in praying, trying to live a good Catholic life, and wanting to be near to God, then you’ve done what you need to do, and it’s up to Him whether you are granted the “feeling” of closeness. It’s great to have it, yes, but not essential–look at what has just been revealed about Mother Teresa’s long spiritual dry period, and St. Therese had the same problem in the last year or two of her life. They are perfect examples of those who went on with their Catholic life even without the gift of feeling close to God…
 
jmoburg said:
I often feel I’m behind many of our protestant brothers and sisters when it comes to the personal relationship I have with Jesus. While listening to some of the popular Catholic Priests via radio (the father larry richards etc) they describe a bit of that personal relationship. So far, I don’t have it. I’ve tried, maybe not tried hard enough … just not sure. I’ve got incredible respect/reverence for him, but I don’t feel the personal relationship as if I know him. I know his stories from the New Testament, not like I know some favorite movies of mine, but I’m trying.
?
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Don’t try so hard, it is Christ who initiates the relationship and governs its progress, not the individual soul. Bear in mind that all souls are feminine in relation to Christ, which means he intitiates and pursues the relationship, it is for the soul to be receptive, open, and desirous of a deeper relationship. Your reading scripture especially the gospels is a great beginning–because of course one wants to learn everything one can about the Beloved–but now start praying with the gospels, and spending time in silent passive listening after the prayer. Do not guage the closeness of your relationship, its strength, your spiritual growth by feelings. They are unreliable, misleading and unstable. Judge by your actions, the fruits, are you kinder, more loving to others, more concerned for the poor and hurting, more patient (1 Cor. 13 describes this perfect love). Are you more faithful to the sacraments and prayer. Do you have a desire to spend more time in prayer and less time in useless, distracting, even damaging wordly time-wasting pursuits?
 
blessedtoo said:
These are all really great things you are doing. I also second the suggestion to spend an hour a week in Adoration. Maybe you could pick one day, sacrifice one hour of TV (pretty easy), and sign up for that hour at a local Parish. It will provide you with a bit more of a committment to go and spend that time with the Lord. I used to think of it as my weekly “date” with Christ.

I have to admit that God cracked open my heart when He brought me back to the Church four years ago. I instantly fell in love. But in order to keep that relationship vital, I had to make it real and present every day. It became very natural for me to simply “talk” to God all day long. Sometimes, if you pay attention to your thoughts, you begin to realize that the stuff floating around in your mind is really a conversation you are having with yourself. Why not direct those thoughts to Jesus? I don’t spare Him any tedious details of my day. Running late to work? I tell Him. Not feeling well? I tell Him. The cake I slaved over for 2 hours didn’t come out right? I tell Him. Mother Angelica says Christ is waiting to hear all about the minutiae of our lives. In our daily conversation with Him, He will draw closer and make Himself known in all kinds of marvelous ways.
Click to expand...
That is a lovely idea. I pray, of course, but have never thought of having an ongoing conversation with Him. Thank you!
 
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