Seeking some guidance from Catholics

[KyCountry]

Hello guys…

I am in my early 20’s and for the last several months, I have been seriously investingating theology of denominations. My father grew up Lutheran and my mother, Southern Baptist. They decided to raise my siblings and I as modern Christian. (Whatever Christian denomination associates themselves as just, ‘Christians.’ However, at an early age, I opted to attend a Baptist Church, to invoke more of a ‘traditional’ sense of religion. (I felt the Christian church my parents attended was too modern for me to grow spiritually).

So, I have no reached a road block. I haven’t attended church in a few months; not because of a lack of faith, but moreso a confusion on denominational believes. My main disagreement with the Baptist church is the existance of the devil. I have always been extremely interested in exorcism and demonology and have read countless books on spiritual warfare. I believe this is alive and well and there has been an extreme increase in such warfare because of technology and other factors. And I believe many modern Protestants candy-coat sermons and I always get the feeling that they are trying to get me to believe in somewhat of a karma… Where If I believe in God, good things will always happen in the physical world… Which is obviously false.

I also disagree with many Protestant faiths on the issue of divorce and contraception. I don’t believe a civil court has the authority to end the sanctity of marriage, nor do I agree in contraception… “God will open and close the womb.”

However, some of the things I have trouble with in the Catholic faith is the issue of homosexuality. Because of my upbringing in Kentucky, I have been instilled with the narrow-minded views of everyone here. I have always been taught homosexuality is a choice and in most ways, agree with that. The reason I have trouble with it, is that if God created everyone in his image and created marriage and such, how could he create homosexual people?

I also believe in the death penalty and I know this can be argued with Scripture in both ways. I just don’t believe people that harmful to society should exist in it.

I also don’t know how I feel about viewing the Pope as such an authority.

I have seriously been debating convertiting to Catholicism and would like a Catholic to enlighten me on some of these issues and more ways Catholicism differs from these other denominations. I would also like to be held accountable for my views on the denomination… If I am falsely viewing any Catholic belief, I would like to know.

Thanks guys.

 

[Redratfish]

Hello guys…

So, I have no reached a road block. I haven’t attended church in a few months; not because of a lack of faith, but moreso a confusion on denominational believes. My main disagreement with the Baptist church is the existance of the devil. I have always been extremely interested in exorcism and demonology and have read countless books on spiritual warfare. I believe this is alive and well and there has been an extreme increase in such warfare because of technology and other factors. And I believe many modern Protestants candy-coat sermons and I always get the feeling that they are trying to get me to believe in somewhat of a karma… Where If I believe in God, good things will always happen in the physical world… Which is obviously false.

You are correct, the devil is still present in our lives, and actually the need for exorcists are increasing.
I also disagree with many Protestant faiths on the issue of divorce and contraception. I don’t believe a civil court has the authority to end the sanctity of marriage, nor do I agree in contraception… “God will open and close the womb.”
This is good, as these two issues are often large roadblocks in someone’s path

However, some of the things I have trouble with in the Catholic faith is the issue of homosexuality. Because of my upbringing in Kentucky, I have been instilled with the narrow-minded views of everyone here. I have always been taught homosexuality is a choice and in most ways, agree with that. The reason I have trouble with it, is that if God created everyone in his image and created marriage and such, how could he create homosexual people?
This is something that I am unsure of, I’ll admit. God creates everybody with a plan for their life. Some people are called in different ways than others. While homosexuality is not to be practiced, people who are homosexual should be respected.

I also believe in the death penalty and I know this can be argued with Scripture in both ways. I just don’t believe people that harmful to society should exist in it.
You will find that Catholics are split on this issue, yes, the santity of life must be protected, but a it could also be seen as societal self defense. It depends on who you ask.

I also don’t know how I feel about viewing the Pope as such an authority.
The biggest block of all. While the word Pope is never directly used in the Bible, the fact that Jesus says in John 16:13 that the Holy Spirit will guide the Church in all truth (Papal infallibility on matters of faith and morals). This is also shown that in Acts 15:28 that the apostles speak with the Holy Spirit, which is passed down by apostolic succesion

I have seriously been debating convertiting to Catholicism and would like a Catholic to enlighten me on some of these issues and more ways Catholicism differs from these other denominations. I would also like to be held accountable for my views on the denomination… If I am falsely viewing any Catholic belief, I would like to know.
I hope I was able to help in some way
Thanks guys.

 

[stevusmagnus]

Hi Ky,

Kudos on your insights regarding contraception, the existence of the devil, recognizing good is not always rewarded in this life, candy coated sermons, etc.

Here are a few answers.

From what I have heard homosexuality is not genetic. It seems that way oftentimes because there are events in certain children’s lives that psychologically influence them towards a homosexual orientation to the point it seems part of their personality. Missing fathers, sexual abuse, etc. This can be healed and corrected and there are Catholic and Christian psychologists and psychiatrists who have seen many men and women overcome this orientation with God’s grace. Check out couragerc.net/ for instance.

The problem is that modern society is viciously against any healing for these people because they have bought the lie that it is genetic and unchangeable. These people can be helped. It is also to separate their psychological problem (a lot of people have problems) from their value as persons. Having a homosexual orientation is not a sin. Only choosing to commit those acts are. A homosexual orientation is a cross, but not one that cannot be overcome.

As for the death penalty, traditional Catholic teaching supports the use of the state to defend itself and recognizes the right of the state to use the death penalty (See Aquinas). Recently JPII expressed the opinion that it should be rare, but nonetheless it is the state’s responsibility, using moral principles to decide when the death penalty is necessary. One can be a good Catholic and support the death penalty.

The Catholic Church is different from these other denominations you’ve experienced because the Catholic Church was founded by Jesus Christ himself in 33 AD. Jesus appointed the first Pope and created the office of the Papacy (see Matthew 16:18). Any encyclopedia will trace the Popes from Peter to Pope Benedict. The Bible came from the Church. Not the other way around. The Catholic Church determined which books were inspired based on Tradition and it’s authority Christ gave it. All the early Church fathers were clearly Catholic and you’ll find Catholic teachings in the early centuries. All Protestant denominations didn’t start showing up until 1500 years later and they were all started by men. Luther, Calvin, etc. Then other sects branched off from there. The sign of the true Church is unity. These denominations all teach different things. The Catholic Church has always taught the same message, safeguarding the Deposit of Faith left to us by the apostles.

Hope this helps!

 

[Student09]

I have always been extremely interested in exorcism and demonology and have read countless books on spiritual warfare.

Be careful with that. Yes, the devil and spiritual warfare are certainly real, but it’s also good not to be *too *interested in it.

However, some of the things I have trouble with in the Catholic faith is the issue of homosexuality. Because of my upbringing in Kentucky, I have been instilled with the narrow-minded views of everyone here. I have always been taught homosexuality is a choice and in most ways, agree with that. The reason I have trouble with it, is that if God created everyone in his image and created marriage and such, how could he create homosexual people?

Well, the fact that homosexuality is often NOT a choice is evidenced by the existence of people who experience same-sex attraction and do not want to. I know some people in this situation. With regard to your last question, the Church doesn’t think that God is making people homosexual, but it is one result of our fallen nature, and God may allow some people to struggle with it as a trial and a cross. The Church asks that people with SSA remain celibate. That is a great cross for people with SSA who choose to follow the teachings of the Church, but they will be rewarded for it in Heaven.

I also believe in the death penalty and I know this can be argued with Scripture in both ways. I just don’t believe people that harmful to society should exist in it.

You’ll have to decide whether this issue is significant enough to keep you away from the Church, if you believe that the Catholic Church is really the Church founded by Jesus Christ through the apostles. The Church does teach that the death penalty could be acceptable in some cases, but it’s true that those cases would probably not occur in the modern U.S.A.

I also don’t know how I feel about viewing the Pope as such an authority.

That’s fine to struggle with that for now. It would be a good idea to read Catholic arguments for the authority of the pope and look at the Biblical passages in support of it. Here’s a place to start: catholic-pages.com/pope/hahn.asp It’s long but worth reading carefully.

I have seriously been debating convertiting to Catholicism and would like a Catholic to enlighten me on some of these issues and more ways Catholicism differs from these other denominations. I would also like to be held accountable for my views on the denomination.

Well, we don’t consider the Catholic Church to be a denomination, rather it is the true original Church founded by Jesus Christ.

A show that I most heartily recommend is “The Journey Home” hosted on EWTN. They have audio archives that you can listen to on the internet, as well as a TV channel: ewtn.com/vondemand/audio/seriessearchprog.asp?seriesID=-6892289

I listened to that show a lot when I was converting. It is mainly Protestants who have converted to the Catholic Church, and they discuss theology and what Catholics believe as well as personal stories.

God bless you on your journey!

 

[joandarc2008]

OK you seem to be right with us

The two issues that you have identified are

1)Homosexuals- OK, we don’t agree with homosexuality either, however, we don’t use it as an excuse to bully anyone or discriminate. We are all sinners. Period and no one has a right to judge or condemn anyone else except for God.

This it is the actual Catholic teaching from the Catechism so there is no confusion -

Chastity and homosexuality

2357 Homosexuality refers to relations between men or between women who experience an exclusive or predominant sexual attraction toward persons of the same sex. It has taken a great variety of forms through the centuries and in different cultures. Its psychological genesis remains largely unexplained. Basing itself on Sacred Scripture, which presents homosexual acts as acts of grave depravity,140 tradition has always declared that "homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered."141 They are contrary to the natural law. They close the sexual act to the gift of life. They do not proceed from a genuine affective and sexual complementarity. Under no circumstances can they be approved.

2358 The number of men and women who have deep-seated homosexual tendencies is not negligible. This inclination, which is objectively disordered, constitutes for most of them a trial. They must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided. These persons are called to fulfill God’s will in their lives and, if they are Christians, to unite to the sacrifice of the Lord’s Cross the difficulties they may encounter from their condition.

2359 Homosexual persons are called to chastity. By the virtues of self-mastery that teach them inner freedom, at times by the support of disinterested friendship, by prayer and sacramental grace, they can and should gradually and resolutely approach Christian perfection

2)Papal infallibility

As far as the papacy - this comes from when Christ gave Peter the “Keys to the Kingdom.” In doing this he placed Peter above the other disciples after The Assencion - Here give this a watch it lays it out pretty well and then it is easier to discuss from there.

[Peter, The Rock/URL]

God bless and welcome,](

)

 

[joandarc2008]

Originally Posted by KyCountry View Post
I also believe in the death penalty and I know this can be argued with Scripture in both ways. I just don’t believe people that harmful to society should exist in it.

You are not that far off of Catholic teaching on this either - Catholic teaching on this is that a person is not to be put to death as long as they can be secured so that society can be kept safe from them.

Here is the actual Catholic teaching:

2267 Assuming that the guilty party’s identity and responsibility have been fully determined, the traditional teaching of the Church does not exclude recourse to the death penalty, if this is the only possible way of effectively defending human lives against the unjust aggressor.

If, however, non-lethal means are sufficient to defend and protect people’s safety from the aggressor, authority will limit itself to such means, as these are more in keeping with the concrete conditions of the common good and are more in conformity to the dignity of the human person.

Today, in fact, as a consequence of the possibilities which the state has for effectively preventing crime, by rendering one who has committed an offense incapable of doing harm - without definitely taking away from him the possibility of redeeming himself - the cases in which the execution of the offender is an absolute necessity “are very rare, if not practically non-existent.”

 

[Shin]

The death penalty is permissible in Church teaching, both for punishment and the safety of society. There are some people who deny the former because of a prudential judgement included in one of the many catechisms, but any good reading of Church history assures both.

People are born with all sorts of birth defects… When they are, it’s God’s will they overcome them or transcend them.

Whether or not a predisposition towards unnatural desires is a sometimes a product of genetic aberrations, all such people are called to chastity and overcoming that desire completely.

I think you’d like some of the catechetical sermons in the links below. They’re very strong.

 

[joandarc2008]

The death penalty is permissible in Church teaching, both for punishment and the safety of society. There are some people who deny the former because of a prudential judgement included in one of the many catechisms, but any good reading of Church history assures both.

People are born with all sorts of birth defects… When they are, it’s God’s will they overcome them or transcend them.

Whether or not a predisposition towards unnatural desires is a sometimes a product of genetic aberrations, all such people are called to chastity and overcoming that desire completely.

I think you’d like some of the catechetical sermons in the links below. They’re very strong.

Church history does not play in when Pope John Paul II changed this by teaching during his reign it was one of a handful of reasons for the 2nd edition of the CCC. The other reasons had to do with his teachings on human sexuality and there were some others. Basically much of this change had to do with the fact that with all of the modern changes His Holiness had made the decision that in most cases criminals could be locked away from society without destroying human life.

 

[seanflynn]

Well, we don’t consider the Catholic Church to be a denomination, rather it is the true original Church founded by Jesus Christ.

How are we not a denomination? We accept and share the name “Catholic,” do we not? Denomination doesn’t mean “branch,” or anything like that. I would agree with you if it did. Baptists are called Baptists, Catholics are called Catholics, isn’t that what it means to be “denominated?”

 

[KyCountry]

Wow, very much appreciated, guys. Many good insights.

It’s amazing to me at how many people (Christians) despise the Catholic Church in today’s society. Not positive why. Maybe because of all the controversy and corruption that was present in the Church during the Middle Ages.

From what I can guage, many people within the Church are still split on homosexuality as well as the death penalty. I guess it’s something we have to conclude throughout our own spiritual journey.

I am pretty excited to investigate the Catholic Church and hopefully gain a better insight on Christianity. I hate to put the Protestant denominations down, but I feel I’ve been somewhat misguided in my upbringing. Being that there are many things I have been shielded from in countless sermons; basically just trying to make people feel good and aquire more members. Some of the people that I know who are members of these large Christian churches, are farther from God than the average athiest and merely attend these churches to be included in social circles.

 

[MarkThompson]

How are we not a denomination? We accept and share the name “Catholic,” do we not? Denomination doesn’t mean “branch,” or anything like that. I would agree with you if it did. Baptists are called Baptists, Catholics are called Catholics, isn’t that what it means to be “denominated?”

That’s true, in one sense at least. But in the same sense you could call Jews or Sunnis “denominations,” since they accept and share those names. Since we don’t usually understand the word “denomination” to include Judaism or Sunni Islam, we must recognize that it actually has a meaning and implication that go beyond its sheer etymology. It’s in that deeper sense that (it is contended) Catholicism is not a denomination as such.

 

[joandarc2008]

Wow, very much appreciated, guys. Many good insights.

It’s amazing to me at how many people (Christians) despise the Catholic Church in today’s society. Not positive why. Maybe because of all the controversy and corruption that was present in the Church during the Middle Ages.

From what I can guage, many people within the Church are still split on homosexuality as well as the death penalty. I guess it’s something we have to conclude throughout our own spiritual journey.

I am pretty excited to investigate the Catholic Church and hopefully gain a better insight on Christianity. I hate to put the Protestant denominations down, but I feel I’ve been somewhat misguided in my upbringing. Being that there are many things I have been shielded from in countless sermons; basically just trying to make people feel good and aquire more members. Some of the people that I know who are members of these large Christian churches, are farther from God than the average athiest and merely attend these churches to be included in social circles.

Archbishop Fulton Sheen once said something that I hope helps you on your journey:

If I were not a Catholic, and were looking for the true Church in the world today, I would look for the one Church which did not get along well with the world; in other words, I would look for the Church which the world hated. My reason for doing this would be, that if Christ is in any one of the churches of the world today, He must still be hated as He was when He was on earth in the flesh. If you would find Christ today, then find the Church that does not get along with the world. Look for the Church that is hated by the world as Christ was hated by the world. Look for the Church that is accused of being behind the times, as our Lord was accused of being ignorant and never having learned. Look for the Church which men sneer at as socially inferior, as they sneered at Our Lord because He came from Nazareth. Look for the Church which is accused of having a devil, as Our Lord was accused of being possessed by Beelzebub, the Prince of Devils. Look for the Church which, in seasons of bigotry, men say must be destroyed in the name of God as men crucified Christ and thought they had done a service to God. Look for the Church which the world rejects because it claims it is infallible, as Pilate rejected Christ because He called Himself the Truth. Look for the Church which is rejected by the world as Our Lord was rejected by men. Look for the Church which amid the confusions of conflicting opinions, its members love as they love Christ, and respect its Voice as the very voice of its Founder, and the suspicion will grow, that if the Church is unpopular with the spirit of the world, then it is unworldly, and if it is unworldly it is other worldly. Since it is other-worldly, it is infinitely loved and infinitely hated as was Christ Himself. But only that which is Divine can be infinitely hated and infinitely loved. Therefore the Church is Divine…the Catholic Church is the only Church existing today which goes back to the time of Christ. History is so very clear on this point, it is curious how many miss its obviousness.

 

[Student09]

How are we not a denomination? We accept and share the name “Catholic,” do we not? Denomination doesn’t mean “branch,” or anything like that. I would agree with you if it did. Baptists are called Baptists, Catholics are called Catholics, isn’t that what it means to be “denominated?”

Well, Catholic means Universal, the Catholic Church is the universal Church and it was called that long before the Protestants broke away.

 

[Shin]

Church history does not play in when Pope John Paul II changed this by teaching during his reign it was one of a handful of reasons for the 2nd edition of the CCC. The other reasons had to do with his teachings on human sexuality and there were some others. Basically much of this change had to do with the fact that with all of the modern changes His Holiness had made the decision that in most cases criminals could be locked away from society without destroying human life.

All I can say is that it is a very deficient knowledge of how Church teachings work to think that Church history does not affect Church teaching, or that a single prudential opinion, that does not go into depth, in a catechism covers all of the matter. The entire point of being Catholic is the unchangeability of the essentials, and the precedent of historic tradition.

 

[NEWCATHOLICJEFF]

Hello guys…

I am in my early 20’s and for the last several months, I have been seriously investingating theology of denominations. My father grew up Lutheran and my mother, Southern Baptist. They decided to raise my siblings and I as modern Christian. (Whatever Christian denomination associates themselves as just, ‘Christians.’ However, at an early age, I opted to attend a Baptist Church, to invoke more of a ‘traditional’ sense of religion. (I felt the Christian church my parents attended was too modern for me to grow spiritually).

So, I have no reached a road block. I haven’t attended church in a few months; not because of a lack of faith, but moreso a confusion on denominational believes. My main disagreement with the Baptist church is the existance of the devil. I have always been extremely interested in exorcism and demonology and have read countless books on spiritual warfare. I believe this is alive and well and there has been an extreme increase in such warfare because of technology and other factors. And I believe many modern Protestants candy-coat sermons and I always get the feeling that they are trying to get me to believe in somewhat of a karma… Where If I believe in God, good things will always happen in the physical world… Which is obviously false.

I also disagree with many Protestant faiths on the issue of divorce and contraception. I don’t believe a civil court has the authority to end the sanctity of marriage, nor do I agree in contraception… “God will open and close the womb.”

However, some of the things I have trouble with in the Catholic faith is the issue of homosexuality. Because of my upbringing in Kentucky, I have been instilled with the narrow-minded views of everyone here. I have always been taught homosexuality is a choice and in most ways, agree with that. The reason I have trouble with it, is that if God created everyone in his image and created marriage and such, how could he create homosexual people?

I also believe in the death penalty and I know this can be argued with Scripture in both ways. I just don’t believe people that harmful to society should exist in it.

I also don’t know how I feel about viewing the Pope as such an authority.

I have seriously been debating convertiting to Catholicism and would like a Catholic to enlighten me on some of these issues and more ways Catholicism differs from these other denominations. I would also like to be held accountable for my views on the denomination… If I am falsely viewing any Catholic belief, I would like to know.

Thanks guys.

I am a Lutheran currenlty in RCIA and all the questions you pose are answered in the Catholic Church. Listine to Parick Coffin’s show for awhile and call in your questions. Read old church documents. Read Martin Luther’s famous 95 and you will end up in RCIA the same as me… Good luck.

 

[joandarc2008]

All I can say is that it is a very deficient knowledge of how Church teachings work to think that Church history does not affect Church teaching, or that a single prudential opinion, that does not go into depth, in a catechism covers all of the matter. The entire point of being Catholic is the unchangeability of the essentials, and the precedent of historic tradition.

No - you misread as I said in this matter it does not because in this matter JPII’s reasoning for changing the current stance was that the climate had changed - actually the death penalty is not one of the essentials. The essential is the pro-life stance of the Catholic Church. How it is applied can be changed and is mutable throughout history - that is why we have a Magisterium that works as we do. No where did I say that the CCC covers the be all and end all of the Catholic teachings however I believe it would inappropriate for me to start going and pulling papal encyclicals for someone who is just starting to learn. The same as it is inappropriate to have arguments over the word denomination. If you want to discuss these things start a new thread. If not then they really weren’t that important.

 

[MarkThompson]

I have always been extremely interested in exorcism and demonology and have read countless books on spiritual warfare. I believe this is alive and well and there has been an extreme increase in such warfare because of technology and other factors. And I believe many modern Protestants candy-coat sermons and I always get the feeling that they are trying to get me to believe in somewhat of a karma…

Make no mistake, plenty of Catholic priests candy-coat homilies (sermons) as well. However, the homily is not central to the Mass. The Mass itself is an act of worship: priests still say Mass even if there is no one else present, and people still go to Mass even if they’re traveling in a foreign country and don’t understand a word of the language. That’s just not the point (a good homily is certainly a nice bonus, though!)

However, some of the things I have trouble with in the Catholic faith is the issue of homosexuality. Because of my upbringing in Kentucky, I have been instilled with the narrow-minded views of everyone here. I have always been taught homosexuality is a choice and in most ways, agree with that. The reason I have trouble with it, is that if God created everyone in his image and created marriage and such, how could he create homosexual people?

The Church does not hold a dogmatic position on the question of whether homosexuality is genetic, inborn, chosen, or caused by environmental factors. We leave it to the appropriate scientists to answer that question. But it is not homosexuality as such that the Church condemns (or, for that matter, the Bible, if you read it), it is the commission of homosexual acts.

Viewed properly, homosexuality (i.e., same-sex attraction) is merely a form of inclination to sin. There are others, of course: some people tend to be angry and violent, some people tend to lustful and lascivious, some people tend to be aloof and stingy. Everyone has some disordered inclinations. And while we know why we have an inclination to sin (the Fall of Man in the Garden of Eden), and that each person’s disordered inclinations are crosses he must bear as he tries to walk in Jesus’ footsteps, we don’t know why God has seen fit to allot those crosses as he has among each of us. It’s certainly a good reason to support and sympathize with people as they struggle against the temptation toward sin.

I also believe in the death penalty and I know this can be argued with Scripture in both ways. I just don’t believe people that harmful to society should exist in it.

I also don’t know how I feel about viewing the Pope as such an authority.

That’s usually a hard issue for many people who come to Catholicism from Protestantism. From a Scriptural basis, you have to recognize that by “You are Peter, and upon this rock shall I build my Church” Jesus probably didn’t mean “You’re a nice guy, but no one mere human being can be central to my entire Church.” From a less-Scriptural standpoint, do you really think that when Jesus said he would “build a Church,” he actually meant there would be hundreds or thousands of churches and that people should decide on their own what they believe in and then start attending the local denomination that’s closest to their personal views? That’s barely a religion at all, but it’s the unavoidable outcome if the church is not guided by the Holy Spirit through the Vicar of Christ, who is the successor of Peter.

It can be very tough to come to grips with that, because the Protestant model, in which you can come up with all the doctrine you like and then go to the church that agrees with you, has obvious appeal. It’s much harder to realize that if you think differently from the Church on dogmatic issues – the Trinity, abortion, whatever – you’re just wrong, and this is Christ leading you to change your heart. There are answers to moral and theological questions, and God has not left it to each person, no matter how uneducated, to figure out the entire universe for himself. What did Jesus do while he was on earth – write us a book that we should try to find our own answers in, or establish a Church built on one human person to propagate the Truth throughout the world?

 

[KyCountry]

Archbishop Fulton Sheen once said something that I hope helps you on your journey:

If I were not a Catholic, and were looking for the true Church in the world today, I would look for the one Church which did not get along well with the world; in other words, I would look for the Church which the world hated. My reason for doing this would be, that if Christ is in any one of the churches of the world today, He must still be hated as He was when He was on earth in the flesh. If you would find Christ today, then find the Church that does not get along with the world. Look for the Church that is hated by the world as Christ was hated by the world. Look for the Church that is accused of being behind the times, as our Lord was accused of being ignorant and never having learned. Look for the Church which men sneer at as socially inferior, as they sneered at Our Lord because He came from Nazareth. Look for the Church which is accused of having a devil, as Our Lord was accused of being possessed by Beelzebub, the Prince of Devils. Look for the Church which, in seasons of bigotry, men say must be destroyed in the name of God as men crucified Christ and thought they had done a service to God. Look for the Church which the world rejects because it claims it is infallible, as Pilate rejected Christ because He called Himself the Truth. Look for the Church which is rejected by the world as Our Lord was rejected by men. Look for the Church which amid the confusions of conflicting opinions, its members love as they love Christ, and respect its Voice as the very voice of its Founder, and the suspicion will grow, that if the Church is unpopular with the spirit of the world, then it is unworldly, and if it is unworldly it is other worldly. Since it is other-worldly, it is infinitely loved and infinitely hated as was Christ Himself. But only that which is Divine can be infinitely hated and infinitely loved. Therefore the Church is Divine…the Catholic Church is the only Church existing today which goes back to the time of Christ. History is so very clear on this point, it is curious how many miss its obviousness.

That is an extremely valid quote. I have not ever thought of it at that particular angle. Thank you for sharing. I definately will be attending a mass next week.

 

[joandarc2008]

That is an extremely valid quote. I have not ever thought of it at that particular angle. Thank you for sharing. I definately will be attending a mass next week.

It is funny or I should say ironic how God works - I was looking for another quote that I had seen once and when I googled it this is what popped up and I realized it was more fitting. When we are prayerful and listen for the answers (the definition of discernment) He does make things much easier for us to hear them.

I would also recommend if you haven’t already picking up a Catholic Bible - I have an NAB (New American Bible) - it also has notes in the back of each Book which put everything in the proper historical context as well as some notes on where things have come from the Greek translations. There are some noticeable differences - especially in the marriage teachings but the translations to the Greek are more correct.

As far as Mass goes you can participate fully in prayer but just so you don’t get “caught up in the moment” you won’t be able to participate in the Eucharist until you have made the decision to become Catholic and enter the Church if that becomes your decision. Just so you have a heads up.

I don’t know if you have ever been to a Mass before - sometimes it can be a bit confusing if you have not. If you go early and let an usher know (not all Parishes put the full missals out - mine does not) they can probably show you where you need to read along for the readings and where to sit, stand, and kneel and maybe introduce you to someone to help you if you don’t have a friendly face their already. I know at my parish we have a young adults group - we are pretty friendly - most of us would take a newcomer who was young and searching under their wing in a heartbeat.

God bless you. Pax, (Peace,)

 

[stevusmagnus]

That is an extremely valid quote. I have not ever thought of it at that particular angle. Thank you for sharing. I definately will be attending a mass next week.

Make sure you find a good one. There are many “liberal” parishes and Masses lurking around where you may wonder if you are back in a Protestant church. Candy coated homilies are their forte.

Here are some signs of a solid Catholic church:

Tabernacle centered behind the altar.
Crucifix prominently displayed.
Statues, especially one of Mary.
No “rock band” equipment set up in the choir area.

If you see a bare cross, a “risifix”, felt banners, or a drum set…RUN.

As for the morality of homosexual acts or the death penalty it doesn’t matter what we lay Catholics think. That is the beauty of the Catholic Church. Christ gave the keys to Peter. All you have to do is look what the Church has OFFICIALLY said on these matters for guidance. You don’t have to wonder and it’s not a majority vote. The Truth, like God, is objective and does not change.