Problems with the Church

[tyson]

I am a revert to Catholicism. It is only now that I respect and appreciate the eucharist and the church. I know so many Catholics that go to church out of obligation and upbringing but have no respect or understanding of what God wants. Obedience is not even a consideration but mercy is everything. Communion on
Sundays is a routine and not a heart stimulation. I appreciate the Mass but only because I obtained the fear and relationship and have come back. Abortion and homosexuality are accepted because noone has stressed the biblical direction or what God wants. Protestants and bible churchgoers have no problem giving 10 percent and tithing. Catholics give whatever is left. Our tradition is beautiful but not impacting. Catholic teaching has to refer to the bible for its basis and instill fear and respect for the Lord. Mercy is good but it doesn’t encourage repentance and change. If it wasn’t for catholic radio and some bible teachings on EWTN, I would have become discouraged in representing my faith. Complacency and weak homilies are not enough and it is not about the music!!!

Please lift my spirits!

Thanks

 

[MarcoPolo]

All I can say is you’re in the right place. I am pretty sure I would not have the fire for the faith that I do if not for Catholic Answers radio. I’ve grown a lot in the last few years because of this forum too. There is such a beauty and coherence to the Catholic faith! When you see so called “flaws” you may consider it to be a call to you to represent the faith correctly! Some people get discouraged by a lousy homily, or frugal donations, or something and use that as their excuse to leave the Church. It takes a brave, and wise, person to see Christ where He is truly perpetuated----in the Catholic Church.

 

[Tietjen]

Catholic teaching has to refer to the bible for its basis and instill fear and respect for the Lord. Mercy is good but it doesn’t encourage repentance and change.

Catholic teaching does refer to the Bible AND Tradition for its basis.

 

[DavidKays]

I am a revert to Catholicism. It is only now that I respect and appreciate the eucharist and the church. I know so many Catholics that go to church out of obligation and upbringing but have no respect or understanding of what God wants. Obedience is not even a consideration but mercy is everything. Communion on
Sundays is a routine and not a heart stimulation. I appreciate the Mass but only because I obtained the fear and relationship and have come back. Abortion and homosexuality are accepted because noone has stressed the biblical direction or what God wants. Protestants and bible churchgoers have no problem giving 10 percent and tithing. Catholics give whatever is left. Our tradition is beautiful but not impacting. Catholic teaching has to refer to the bible for its basis and instill fear and respect for the Lord. Mercy is good but it doesn’t encourage repentance and change. If it wasn’t for catholic radio and some bible teachings on EWTN, I would have become discouraged in representing my faith. Complacency and weak homilies are not enough and it is not about the music!!!

Please lift my spirits!

Thanks

I think Tyson that you are looking too much outwardly then inwardly. Hi I am Greek Orthodox and I can understand your concerns. I will suggest you to read about Fr.John Corapi and his words will explain much of this with alot more clarity. The Eastern Church teaches us to be a " a light to lighten the Gentiles and to be the Glory of thy People Israel " and to do this we must look inwardly first. You are a beginner in the Faith so please try to deal with yourself first and allow the Light of our Lord to enter you and with the illumunation of the Lord then you can see more clearly in dealing with those around you. Try not to grow all at once. Allow Him to change you first. That is more important for you at this time. In time you will see better and then you can become that " light that can lighten the Gentiles." God Bless!

 

[Church_Militant]

I am a revert to Catholicism.

Yeah, me too. My Testimony

It is only now that I respect and appreciate the Eucharist and the church.

Indeed! The Eucharist IS Scriptural

I know so many Catholics that go to church out of obligation and upbringing but have no respect or understanding of what God wants. Obedience is not even a consideration but mercy is everything. Communion on Sundays is a routine and not a heart stimulation.

Have you ever read the parable of the wheat and tares? Matthew 13:[24] Another parable he proposed to them, saying: The kingdom of heaven is likened to a man that sowed good seeds in his field. [25] But while men were asleep, his enemy came and oversowed cockle among the wheat and went his way. [26] And when the blade was sprung up, and had brought forth fruit, then appeared also the cockle. [27] And the servants of the goodman of the house coming said to him: Sir, didst thou not sow good seed in thy field? whence then hath it cockle? [28] And he said to them: An enemy hath done this. And the servants said to him: Wilt thou that we go and gather it up? [29] And he said: No, lest perhaps gathering up the cockle, you root up the wheat also together with it. [30] Suffer both to grow until the harvest, and in the time of the harvest I will say to the reapers: Gather up first the cockle, and bind it into bundles to burn, but the wheat gather ye into my barn.

The best way for us to affect those folks is to be a good example of what we are called to. Even so, it’s unwise to generalize like this or judge others. Remember that we don’t know what is going on in the other guy’s heart and journey of faith.

I appreciate the Mass but only because I obtained the fear and relationship and have come back.

Let’s just be sure that we keep our own houses in proper order, because that is still the greatest witness we can offer anyone. Remember what St. Francis of Assisi said, "Preach the Gospel at all times. When necessary, use words.

Abortion and homosexuality are accepted because noone has stressed the biblical direction or what God wants.

Sorry, but this is a rash generalization unless you are speaking of the world society in general and even then I suspect it might still be since we have no empirical proof.

I disagree that,“noone has stressed the biblical direction or what God wants” because that’s simply not true at all at all. The Catechism is very clear on both issues, and the Church has spoken out on both many times and continues to do so.

Protestants and bible churchgoers have no problem giving 10 percent and tithing. Catholics give whatever is left.

Sorry, but here again, this is a rash generalization in both directions. I doubt that many more n-Cs tithe any more than Catholics do, and even so, one would be wise peruse the Catechism on support of the church to see precisely what the church actually asks of us.In my parish for instance, we live a stewardship way of life and give of our time, talent, and treasure, and it works. We also have several missions we support. I love my parish and our pastor and priest and pray for them daily.

Our tradition is beautiful but not impacting.

I’ll have to disagree with you on this too my friend. Our traditions have made a huge impact in my community with everything from Hurricane relief to building homes for the poor, to helping in foreign missions, and even missions here in the U.S.

Catholic teaching has to refer to the bible for its basis and instill fear and respect for the Lord.

Does it? Can you show me that from the Word of God, my friend because I’ve read the Bible several times (and am again even now) and I can tell you that its not there. Your own signature verse is a case in point in fact.

The fact is that nothing is more convicting than to encounter Our Lord in the face and actions of one of His people. I know several people in my parish who are like this, especially my pastor and our priest.

Look in the New Testament (I’m reading St. John’s Gospel right now, so…) was it fear that drew the apostles to Our Lord? What does St. John the Baptist say about Our Lord that drew people to Him? Just something you might consider.
(Cont’d)

 

[Church_Militant]

Mercy is good but it doesn’t encourage repentance and change.

Sorry, but here you’re kind messed up right here. look at these passages. Without that mercy, you and I would be toast my dear brother.

• Matthew 5:7
• Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
• Matthew 9:13
• Go then and learn what this meaneth, I will have mercy and not sacrifice. For I am not come to call the just, but sinners.
• Matthew 12:7
• And if you knew what this meaneth: I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: you would never have condemned the innocent.
• Matthew 23:23
• Woe to you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites; because you tithe mint, and anise, and cummin, and have left the weightier things of the law; judgment, and mercy, and faith. These things you ought to have done, and not to leave those undone.
• Luke 10:37
  But he said: He that shewed mercy to him. And Jesus said to him: Go, and do thou in like manner.

If it wasn’t for catholic radio and some bible teachings on EWTN, I would have become discouraged in representing my faith.

Still brother, I think you need to get some balance going because you are sort of ranting and judging, which obviously isn’t helping your own faith, nor will it be much help in building up the rest of the Body of Christ. You should be reading the New Testament daily on your own. (Do you know that the Church offers indulgences for reading the Bible?) I would also strongly urge you to pray The Divine Mercy Chaplet (The Novena) and the Rosary every day for yourself and all of us sinners. I can assure you that you will see some incredible things happen in response, while at the same time your spirits will rise like you cannot imagine. I know from experience.

Complacency and weak homilies are not enough and it is not about the music!!!

Please lift my spirits!

Thanks

Sorry Brother, but who are you to criticize your pastors homilies? We never know what he knows that he is ministering to from the pulpit. You have to go to Mass with a receptive heart…not a critical one. Do you have Perpetual Adoration nearby? If so, go and spend an hour with the Lord. Tell him all this and listen carefully. It works for me every time.

I promise I’m not bashing you, because I’m a revert too, but you’re down in the dumps and you need a brother or sister (or your pastor…when did you last go to confession? Couldn’t hurt, could it?) to help you back onto your feet so you can better run our race. I love you and I’ve been where you’re at and I don’t mean to get down on you. Hang in there.
I’ll remember you in prayer.
Pax Domini sit semper vobiscum.

 

[DavidKays]

I think our brother is referring to practices in his parish that are not in line to true Catholic doctrine. He may be complaining truthfully and it is his own parish that may be the problem. Not always do Catholics practice what they preach. I too can relate to him for certain parishes did not comply to the true teachings. In time you can help these people but by and large you have to put up with them unless of course there are other members who like yourself find it uneasy as well. Catholic teachings are great but let us face facts that not all Catholics practice them. I think directing your words towards them will be better suited then to your brother who may have a legitimate arguement. God Bless!

 

[Church_Militant]

I think our brother is referring to practices in his parish that are not in line to true Catholic doctrine. He may be complaining truthfully and it is his own parish that may be the problem. Not always do Catholics practice what they preach. I too can relate to him for certain parishes did not comply to the true teachings. In time you can help these people but by and large you have to put up with them unless of course there are other members who like yourself find it uneasy as well. Catholic teachings are great but let us face facts that not all Catholics practice them. I think directing your words towards them will be better suited then to your brother who may have a legitimate arguement. God Bless!

But a rant never helps and neither do generalizations.

I don’t see anything in his post that indicates his parish is that messed up, and even so some of what he said wasn’t exactly spot on Catholic belief either.

Without better info I did the best I could.

 

[DavidKays]

I realized that sir but will it not be better if you had gone to his parish to understand better his concerns. May by generalizations are better not said until we know for instance they be profitable. From his post I saw it differently because I sense his concerns that are normally into every Parish. I don’t see people in generally practicing their Faith and percentage ways unless you have a saintly or holy priest directing the Parish the numbers practicing may be much lower because the people are not faithful to their own teachings. I read your posts and they have much concerns but unless you better know his concerns that he is addressing it will have been better to ask him more about it. God Bless!

 

[JustaServant]

I am a revert to Catholicism.

As am I, read my story in my siggy.

It is only now that I respect and appreciate the eucharist and the church.

Glad to hear that.

I know so many Catholics that go to church out of obligation and upbringing but have no respect or understanding of what God wants.

You know this how? I go to Mass and concentrate on the Sacrifice, not the people around me. Their spiritual state is, sorry to sound harsh, none of our business.

Communion on Sundays is a routine and not a heart stimulation.

Again, not to sound harsh, but whose problem is that? Mine or theirs?

Abortion and homosexuality are accepted because none has stressed the biblical direction or what God wants.

Accepted by who? Your parish? Have they said this?

Protestants and bible churchgoers have no problem giving 10 percent and tithing. Catholics give whatever is left.

LOL!! That’s funny…oh wait, you’re serious.
AHEM, First, you know this how? Second, again, not to sound harsh, what business is it of ours? Shouldn’t we focus on how much we’re giving? Not the other person?

Our tradition is beautiful but not impacting.

To who?

Complacency and weak homilies are not enough

Complacency begins by looking in the mirror. Who is truly complacent? Whether the homilies are good or weak, we go to Mass to recieve the Lord Jesus in the Eucharist.

Please lift my spirits!
Thanks

No human being can do that.

 

[jimcav]

I am a revert to Catholicism. It is only now that I respect and appreciate the eucharist and the church. I know so many Catholics that go to church out of obligation and upbringing but have no respect or understanding of what God wants. Obedience is not even a consideration but mercy is everything. Communion on
Sundays is a routine and not a heart stimulation. I appreciate the Mass but only because I obtained the fear and relationship and have come back. Abortion and homosexuality are accepted because noone has stressed the biblical direction or what God wants. Protestants and bible churchgoers have no problem giving 10 percent and tithing. Catholics give whatever is left. Our tradition is beautiful but not impacting. Catholic teaching has to refer to the bible for its basis and instill fear and respect for the Lord. Mercy is good but it doesn’t encourage repentance and change. If it wasn’t for catholic radio and some bible teachings on EWTN, I would have become discouraged in representing my faith. Complacency and weak homilies are not enough and it is not about the music!!!

Please lift my spirits!

Thanks

Tyson, you have to remember that you yourself are a revert.

That means you were once one of those people you are now complaing about! I’m quite sure that devout people in your parish looked at you at one time the way you are now looking at them. Think about it, when these people were in there Church on Sundays, where were you? Or when these people were living there faith, going to Church every Sunday, days of obligations, joining different Church groups, where were you? When you reverted, were you instantly devout, or did it take sometime to grasp it and become devout? I hope you get my drift here.

Our faith life is a journey and we’re not all on the same point of that journey. The person you say just goes to Church out of obligation now, might someday become the most devout parishoner in the Church. I’m pretty sure there were people in my parish that thought I was just another “cafeteria Catholic” when I reverted back to the faith, but now days, I can say I am very devout and understanding. Not fully there of course, but well on my way!

Anyway, try not to judge others, as hard as that can be, because there are those that likely have judged you to…

 

[maryj]

Lots of good replys. I will only add this…revert here too…try remembering what the Father has done for you, isn’t that what the Eucharistic is all about, being thankful. When I get discouraged with these types of thoughts I thank our Lord for all He has done for me(I do that everyday!). He has taken a sinner and shown Mercy and Love for me, He brought me back to the body of Christ, forgives me for I am a sinner. He makes us new again after each and every Eucharist. If he will do that for me, He can and will do that for everyone. God Bless you.

 

[Annabelle_Marie]

I am a revert to Catholicism. It is only now that I respect and appreciate the eucharist and the church. I know so many Catholics that go to church out of obligation and upbringing but have no respect or understanding of what God wants. Obedience is not even a consideration but mercy is everything. Communion on
Sundays is a routine and not a heart stimulation. I appreciate the Mass but only because I obtained the fear and relationship and have come back. Abortion and homosexuality are accepted because noone has stressed the biblical direction or what God wants. Protestants and bible churchgoers have no problem giving 10 percent and tithing. Catholics give whatever is left. Our tradition is beautiful but not impacting. Catholic teaching has to refer to the bible for its basis and instill fear and respect for the Lord. Mercy is good but it doesn’t encourage repentance and change. If it wasn’t for catholic radio and some bible teachings on EWTN, I would have become discouraged in representing my faith. Complacency and weak homilies are not enough and it is not about the music!!!

Please lift my spirits!

Thanks

I can not relate at all…sorry. I recently returned to the Church after 20 years in Protestanism. I go to Mass because I love it so…at least 2 to 3 times a week. I have always believe that homesexuality and abortion are wrong…because God says they are wrong.

Where I went before…no one REALLY gave 10%…so I don’t think you have the complete facts.

It’s only in the Catholic Church that I have ever thought about doing what is pleasing to God…about sin…and turning away from it. I never thought of these things before in my life…where did I learn this…in the Catholic Church.

And Mercy…oh…I have received such Mercy…from Christ…brought to me through our priest in reconciliation. Our priest…his homilys are anything but boring…they are now the voice in my head that helps me to do what is right…what is pleasing to God…to turn away from sin.

I hope this helps restore your faith a little…God Bless.

 

[Joseph_Kemp]

You wrote: “Catholic teaching has to refer to the bible for its basis and instill fear and respect for the Lord. Mercy is good but it doesn’t encourage repentance and change.”

Oh yes, it does. Don’t ever go down that road.

St. Francis of Assisi regarded fear as a virus that can grow in the heart and destroy love of the Lord. He recommended in the Rules of his Order that all Franciscans be on their guard against needless fear of God. Such fear is a seed from the Devil. It can remove happiness and replace it with despair about our salvation.

You said: “Protestants and bible churchgoers have no problem giving 10 percent and tithing. Catholics give whatever is left. Our tradition is beautiful but not impacting.”

The Catholic Church does not require its members to tithe. The Vatican does not. Canon Law does not. Nor does the Catechism. There is nothing in any papal publication or encyclical that obliges Catholics to tithe. Such a belief is from outside the Church. And no Catholic is obligated to follow it at all.

Quoted From Jim Blackburn, Catholic Answers:

"Scripture provides insight on how Christians should give:

On the first day of every week (Sunday), each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper. (1 Cor. 16:2)

The point is this: he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must do as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. (2 Cor. 9:6–7)

There is no mandatory requirement to give a specific amount of money or percentage of our income. We should each decide for ourselves how much to give and then do so in the true spirit of giving a gift."

Stating that Catholics merely “give whatever is left” is not a very nice thing to say. We give as we have “made up (our) mind,” according to Scripture. Anything else would be dishonest to our consciences. Insisting otherwise will only cause confusion and fear among people. For absolutely no good reason at all.

You wrote: “I appreciate the Mass but only because I obtained the fear and relationship and have come back.”

That’s very sad. Maybe you DO need to be fearful to motivate yourself to appreciate and to go to Mass. But most people I know don’t. I certainly don’t. Maybe this works for you. But this is your own highly subjective decision. The Church has no official support for it, and neither does anyone else.