Returning to the church for the right reasons

[The_Kevster]

I converted to Catholicism at 19 but left the church at around 23, however, I did keep up with the teachings, the goings on and the general meaning of the faith. It’s always been a part of me, if at least in an intellectual sense.

My life has changed dramatically since I converted and subsequently left, I went through a very bad time, and then a very good time.

Recently, my life has taken a very difficult turn, more difficult than I ever may have faced before, and only now have I started thinking about coming back to the church.

But this is my dilemma: I feel like the guilty convert who rushes to the baptismal fount because “well, I’ll try ANYTHING at this point!”

I don’t want to return to the church for a quick fix in my life. I don’t want to use religion as a crutch, and I’m afraid that returning in this way, for these reasons would be disrespectful to the faith, and to the Lord.

What are all of your thoughts on this?

Thank you.

• Kevin

 

[Aelred_Minor]

You have realized that you are weak and need God to be your strength. That doesn’t sound disrespectful at all to me.

 

[JRKH]

I love what your post says about you…it expresses an honesty and sense of honor.

I would suggest that the parable of the Prodigal son would be helpful with this. The son returned to his father’s house in a similar frame of mind as you express above. What is important to note the attitude that the son returned with…total humility and willing to be nothing more than a servant in the house - not even a son.

You are right that we want to return for the right reasons and it sounds like you have at least some of that in your heart already.

The other thing to remember is the action of the father in the story…He ran to meet his son…listened to him express his sorrow and humble submission to his father.

Pray on these things ideas. God will meet you and will welcome you home.

Peace
James

 

[Michael57]

Go to confession, and begin attending Mass again.

Welcome back!

 

[HoosMommie]

God our Father wants us back in His arms no matter what. WELCOME HOME.

 

[rcwitness]

Its the Holy Spirit in you. He has been there all along.

I struggle alot! I am like the man Peter asked how many times he should forgive,…7?
Lets put our hope in Him, that He brings us to purity and good works.

Michael

 

[KimberlyCat]

Coming back to The Church is never a bad decision. It’s a FABULOUS decision! Welcome Home!

 

[PJM]

=The_Kevster;11264168]I converted to Catholicism at 19 but left the church at around 23, however, I did keep up with the teachings, the goings on and the general meaning of the faith. It’s always been a part of me, if at least in an intellectual sense.

My life has changed dramatically since I converted and subsequently left, I went through a very bad time, and then a very good time.

Recently, my life has taken a very difficult turn, more difficult than I ever may have faced before, and only now have I started thinking about coming back to the church.

But this is my dilemma: I feel like the guilty convert who rushes to the baptismal fount because “well, I’ll try ANYTHING at this point!”

I don’t want to return to the church for a quick fix in my life. I don’t want to use religion as a crutch, and I’m afraid that returning in this way, for these reasons would be disrespectful to the faith, and to the Lord.

What are all of your thoughts on this?

Thank you.

• Kevin

Kevin my friend;

Allow me please to provide some “food for thought for you.”

Here are some FACTS to consider in your decision.

1. True-God is One
   
   One God can and DOES logically, have only One set of Faith beliefs [truth is always singular]
   
   God always; both Yahweh and Christ choose Only One group of people as “His own”
   OT = The Jews & NT = today’s Catholic church
2. God can be described as “EVERY GOOD THING [and only good things] PERFECTED.

God can and does PERMIT evil /bad BUT is able to use it for “a POTENTIAL good.”

1. There is no such thing as “LUCK” either “good” or “bad.”

Everything is Ordained by God> Good caused by Him; bad permitted by Him for One of TWO possible reasons.

Gods Glory and Honor

Mans Potentially Spiritual benefit [though which God is honored] When man says NO! to an evil man is rewarded spiritually and God is Glorified. When man says Yes! To evil: man is penalized spiritually; but God is still Glorified because God made GOOD POSSIBLE.

Isaiah 43: 7 & 21 “And every one that calleth upon my name,** I have created him for my glory**, I have formed him, and made him & This people have I formed for myself, they shall shew forth my praise”

1. Know my friend that even if you make the right [and only right] choice, God does not promise and end to suffering:

Luke.9: 23 And he said to all, "If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. Luke.14: 7 Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me, cannot be my disciple.” [means cannot attain salvation]

1. What then is the REASON to become an informed, practicing Catholic?

***It is God’s Will that everyone be saved, and ALL salvation flows THROUGH the CC

More help from God is available to informed and practicing Catholics than any other group because we ALONE have the seven Sacraments both Validly and Licitly. Thus MORE Grace is made available to us.

Also as a informed and practicing Catholic one can be assured that GOD WILL NEVER abandon us.***

So Kevin the choice is your’s. Heaven and hell are real; and eternity id FOREVER. Pray much; choose wisely.

I’ll pray for you.

 

[Kal2012]

Everyone struggles with faith and their relationship with God.

It shows how much you honor the church for wanting to come back for the right reasons.

The thing is that there is no “right” reason to return to church.

There’s “either you are in the church” or “you aren’t in the church.”

I really hate how people think that holding on to your religion/faith is a crutch and supposedly something bad.

I hang on to my faith because my relationship w/Jesus is the best thing that’s ever happened to me. I don’t see it as a burden, but rather a relief.

Through good times and bad, God is there. As it was in the beginning, as it is now, and as it will be, God is there. How is that a crutch? I see that as security and I draw strength from that.

I may change, but God doesn’t. My ideas about God and Jesus might change, but He hasn’t and doesn’t. I’ve just figured out something about Him that I hadn’t noticed before.

There are a lot of people who don’t go to church because they think that there’s something wrong with them because they are struggling. I go to mass every week and I still struggle. I struggle with the fact that I keep expecting an emotional pitch to accept Jesus as my personal Lord and Savior, but instead get something deeper/more intellectual through the homily. (I was trained very well by evangelical standards.)

We all struggle with different things, but the question is whether we keep pushing ahead or do we just give up because it’s hard to have a relationship w/God.

 

[CalCatholic]

kevster, You are one of God’s little lambs. Our Shepherd will leave the other 99 behind while he searches for you, to bring you back to the flock!

 

[fred_conty]

I don’t want to return to the church for a quick fix in my life. I don’t want to use religion as a crutch, and I’m afraid that returning in this way, for these reasons would be disrespectful to the faith, and to the Lord.

What are all of your thoughts on this?

Thank you.

• Kevin

My thought is that the devil whispered these words in your ear, because it certainly isn’t the Jesus I know who is the friend of sinners.

May God bless and keep you. May God’s face shine on you. May God be kind to you and give you peace.

 

[Verbum_Domini]

I think anybody returning to the Catholic Church is doing a great thing. And, as I heard on EWTN this evening, it would be a good idea to go to confession before receiving the Eucharist.