Prayer group dillema

[Cam-masta]

A few weeks ago, I finished something called “Life in the Spirit Seminar”, which is a series of teachings and group discussion on prayer, salvation, etc with a strong emphasis on the gifts of the Spirit particularly tongues (Baptism in the Holy Spirit). At the end of the seminar, I was prayed over and uttered some glosolalia (tongues) in song and speach. I was very cynical before-hand and believed this was an authentic experience, but now I am as cynical as before. I am not a charismatic in my gut, even though I was involved in pentecostal and charismatic circles for several years before entering the Church. It isn’t part of my spiritual expression of the Faith, as I am more traditional. People involved with the group are very sincere and decent people and I am worried they will feel deceived or scandalized by this admission. Should I be concerned?

 

[coolduude]

I would say no. If your more traditional, you’re more traditional. I’m not that into all the charasmatic stuff either.
If the people there are decent, they should respect your view on the faith.

 

[Hudsonite]

I have been in your position several times. My friend took me some seminars, everyone was speaking in tongues (I was very uncomfortable) at the end, I was coaxed to let them pray over me …so, they laid hands on me and prayed over me and I found myself on the floor. When I opened my eyes I started laughing hysterically. I couldn’t stop. My intention was not to hurt anyone’s feelings, actually I had no intention at all, I just laughed and laughed.
They all looked at me and one of the ladies said " look, she has Holy laughter" and they all smiled and helped me up. although I dont understand what made me fall, I am still a skeptic and my friend understands.
We are all called to different levels of spirituality and different types as it states in the bible. People who are working on their spiritual lives totally understand this which is why they tend to “flock” together.
Right now I am more traditional but who knows what tomorrow brings?

 

[Pani_Rose]

Fr Groschel is going to do a severn week program on spirituality on his EWTN show on Sunday night, starting next Sunday. Might be good for you to watch.

 

[puzzleannie]

A . People involved with the group are very sincere and decent people and I am worried they will feel deceived or scandalized by this admission. Should I be concerned?

no not in the least
that is their spirituality, it may not be yours.
we are a vast Church with a vast experience in spirituality. you through this experience have opened yourself to the work of the Holy Spirit in your life, which is what the gift of tongues or being slain in the spirit signifies. It does not always happen, and that does not mean those who do not experience those things are not full of the Holy Spirit, it just means some may have needed that manifestation. In the Holy Spirit discern the spiritual expression that works best for you.

I had a similar experience, made retreats for several years with that group (very orthodox) and appreciate their charismatic spirituality, but it is not mine. Oddly enough it was through contacts made there that I found Benedictine spirituality which to me is much more congenial and why I eventually became an Oblate. The experience simply means you will probably become more attuned to the workings of the Holy Spirit in your life and will find the spirituality that works for you within the wide experience of our Church.

Should you find yourself drawn to the Franciscan, or Dominican, or Ignatian, or Carmelite charisms, that will not mean your experience and spirituality is any more or less value than that of charismatics, so no one should be criticizing the spirituality of others as long as it is approved and supported by the Church, as the charismatic renewal is, just because it is not their own preference.

 

[Barzillai]

I agree with all the comments and I wanted to emphasize a point made by some of the posters.

You are being led by the Holy Spirit. Don’t worry about whether the people in the “Life in the Spirit Seminar” will feel deceived or scandalized that you will not be continuing with them in their specific way, you are all within the same Church.

If you felt especially close to an insight you received while at the Seminar, do not reject it because you learned it at the Spirit Seminar. If you felt especially close to some people in Seminar group — stay in contact with them or their publications.

The options are not between 1) you are full member of an exclusive club, or 2) you are an unwanted trespasser to be excluded and to exclude yourself. The reason these are not the options is because the Church is not a club established by people.

The Church is Christ’s body, not everyone is an arm or a hand, but in the body we are all connected and we must stay connected.

Don’t be hard on yourself. You may have made some friends who you may help and who may help you in the future — they were privileged to have you attend the seminar.

You were privileged to spend time with them and to get to know their charism. That is a good thing in the body of Christ.

Take that good with you because it will help you. And you can share it with others.

Recently I spent a weekend retreat at a Benedictine monastery. While at the monastery I talked with a friend I had not seen in months.

My friend’s “real” reason for being at the monastery was only apparent as my friend looked back on the events of the past several months. Those events did not seem to be connected as they occurred, but each seemingly unconnected event, suddenly, in a flash, was seen as part of a now visible plan that had been worked by the hidden hand of God.

The plan could not be seen until my friend arrived at the place and time scheduled by God, but once there, it all became clear. It’s God’s plan, not ours. It’s his time, not ours.

God even works seminars for the good of those who love Him — who are called according to his purpose, like you.

 

[mdgspencer]

There are no general rules about what kinds of personal prayer to use.
There are many kinds of prayer and some of them are not for any particular individual. Even different religious orders are chracterized by particuarly kinds of prayer. So I do not see any reason for concern if this type is not for you.
If you think this kind of prayer may actually be for you, you should go by yourself and pray about this for light.
If you left this group, this is no matter for concern, though I have been a charismatic for thirty years. The most important thing is what gets you closer to God.
People come and go from Catholic charismatic groups. I never heard of anyone upset because some individual left. In any case, your prayer life, and how you get closer to God, is the important thing, what someone wants you to do quite a different thing.