Spiritual direction....

[gracelovefaith]

…I am afraid my revert enthusiasm is dimming as I am trying to live it. I know it isn’t easy. Do you think the more you know about faith, catholicism etc, the more accountable you are for adhering and following it? I do and sometimes I feel I can’t live up to it.
Another thought, sometimes life gets in the way and I find it difficult to attend Mass every Sun. so no matter how devout I am throughout the week is it in vain because I do miss Sun mass sometimes? Also, I prefer the devout catholic latin mass that is far away, but I could just go down the street to the closest parish to fill the obligation better each Sunday and say hello to Jesus, ( because I do believe he is present in the bleesed sacrament in all parishes) but I get frustrated with certain things about the n.o. mass and often feel it’s barely catholic. After that Mass I end leaving, feeling still like I should have gone to the farther church.
I am also getting frustrated because I have been trying to get my marriage convalidated for 3 years and it keeps getting pushed back for various reasons. (I know I may not participate in communion until this is rectified) The bottom line is, sometimes the religious part of our faith sometimes feels discouraging rather than encouraging and it makes me sad. I am not sure if God wants us to be sad about faith and religion.

May God bless you in your life.

 

[Monica4316]

…I am afraid my revert enthusiasm is dimming as I am trying to live it. I know it isn’t easy. Do you think the more you know about faith, catholicism etc, the more accountable you are for adhering and following it? I do and sometimes I feel I can’t live up to it.

Try to focus on loving God and others, and all the Commandments, etc, are based on this… and regarding all the rules like Sunday obligation, fasting, the devotions, etc, - try to focus on doing them for love of God offer everything to Him.

Another thought, sometimes life gets in the way and I find it difficult to attend Mass every Sun. so no matter how devout I am throughout the week is it in vain because I do miss Sun mass sometimes?

it depends, - if you miss Mass because you absolutely CAN’T get to church, for example if you are very sick, or can’t get transportation, etc, - if it’s not your choice, it’s not a mortal sin. However if you miss Mass due to your own choice, that is a mortal sin that should be confessed and we shouldn’t receive Communion until making the confession. So it would really depend on that. If something comes up and you can’t make it to Mass, - there is also the Saturday evening Mass, and other Masses on Sunday… try to make Sunday a day of rest where you go to Mass, think about spiritual things, be with your family, etc… God gave us this Commandment as a way of honouring Him and it’s very helpful to follow it, not to mention that since it’s a Commandment, we should follow it so we don’t sin.

Also, I prefer the devout catholic latin mass that is far away, but I could just go down the street to the closest parish to fill the obligation better each Sunday and say hello to Jesus, ( because I do believe he is present in the bleesed sacrament in all parishes) but I get frustrated with certain things about the n.o. mass and often feel it’s barely catholic. After that Mass I end leaving, feeling still like I should have gone to the farther church.

If you are able to go to the Latin Mass on a given sunday, I think it might be best to go there, but if you are definitely not able to, then you still need to fulfill your Sunday obligation at the Novus Ordo. Of course, He is present in the Eucharist at the Novus Ordo parish also and even if you have difficulties with the Mass there, - even if it’s not as reverent, etc, it’s still Sacramentally valid. But in my opinion, if you’re able to go to the Latin Mass, it’s good to go, even if it’s further away and harder to get to. If you do this for God, you would be blessed for this. but - if you’re not able to, you should still fulfill the Sunday obligation at a Catholic church.

I am also getting frustrated because I have been trying to get my marriage convalidated for 3 years and it keeps getting pushed back for various reasons. (I know I may not participate in communion until this is rectified) The bottom line is, sometimes the religious part of our faith sometimes feels discouraging rather than encouraging and it makes me sad. I am not sure if God wants us to be sad about faith and religion.

May God bless you in your life.

I think God would want us to be joyful about our faith, but He also understands when we have difficulties like this and He is very compassionate. I hope that you would get your marriage convalidated soon. I think that once you have the Eucharist, it would become easier for you and that would give you much grace and strength

God bless you!

 

[Tomcmaj]

sometimes the religious part of our faith sometimes feels discouraging rather than encouraging and it makes me sad. I am not sure if God wants us to be sad about faith and religion.

Simply enjoy the things you can do, and worry less about the things you cannot do.

 

[system]

I would just like to touch upon your writing on how you feel you should’ve gone to the other church after you go to the closer one. As far as this topic goes, God may be speaking to you in many different ways, and he may make you feel more spiritually “connected” in prayer in this church that is farther. Keep in mind that God will realize and never forget the amount of effort you put in. However this does not at all mean that going to the closer Church is worse. Use the knowledgeable words the other posters have provided as your guide, AS WELL as prayer. He may make the answer more clear to you through prayer. Ask and you shall receive.

 

[Boulder257]

…I am afraid my revert enthusiasm is dimming as I am trying to live it. I know it isn’t easy. Do you think the more you know about faith, catholicism etc, the more accountable you are for adhering and following it? I do and sometimes I feel I can’t live up to it.

Yes, I feel that the more we know than we are certainly more accountable. To whom much is given, much is expected. However, I also see it is a great gift that God would grant us such knowledge. He will not give us anything that we cannot handle either. With that knowledge comes His strength, mercy, and grace.

I think you may suffer from one of the same things I do: I focus on myself. In so doing, we are right, we cannot live up to these expectations. However, with God, we can. Instead of looking inside yourself, turn your focus to God. When you feel you can’t, turn to Him. Always keep your eyes fixated on our Lord and put your faith and trust in Him. You don’t have to worry about doing it because He will help you.

 

[solomonkane]

I too have reverted (2008) and attend the local Tridentine Mass pretty much each week. I was feeling the same way until a wise old soul gave me this piece of advice; “At this early stage don’t seek spiritual peerfection, spiritual progress is enough…” I realised I was trying TOO hard; just let God be God. Cheers.