This "Schizophrenic" thing that always happens to Catholics

[MarieVeronica]

I’m not sure if I’m following you, 100%… so please correct me if I’ve misunderstood.

You’re concern seems to be… that people (including our priests) are much more spiritual or religious… during Mass? And then, become much less so… once Mass has ended?

I guess the question I’d have to ponder is… WHY do we “change” once Mass has ended? We are certainly called to live our lives in holiness… and we’ve been shown over and over, that holiness is certainly attainable to all of us (religious and laity) through the everyday experiences of the lives of the saints. We can certainly try to imitate them. Because, they imitated Jesus and Mary.

So… I guess it would follow, that the remedy for this would be for each of us to make a concerted effort to carry the Mass into our daily lives. Strive for holiness. Strive to live as disciples of Jesus. It may not be easy (Our Lord never promised us it would be!). That is why it is so important for us to attend Sunday Mass (and daily Mass, whenever possible).

Hope this made some sense. God bless.

 

[distracted]

You’re concern seems to be… that people (including our priests) are much more spiritual or religious… during Mass? And then, become much less so… once Mass has ended?

Well, that can happen… but that isn’t exactly waht i meant. I had this experience the other day. I was @ Mass and i felt a lot of things i do not normally feel too much when outside of Church… I felt that God cared for me, was interested in my prayer requests, that i was “important”, etc… Long story but i rarely feel these things when outside the Church…

I guess the question I’d have to ponder is… WHY do we “change” once Mass has ended?

It is because of the Real Presence…

So… I guess it would follow, that the remedy for this would be for each of us to make a concerted effort to carry the Mass into our daily lives.

Yes, but there is just one problem:

The mostly Protestant world in which i live does not WANT me to bring them the Mass…

I know…

We have to force it on them anyway…

 

[distracted]

I believe that while we are at Mass, we are very much protected from the attacks of Satan and his demons.

Very true… The Mass is far more powerful than many people realize, esp non-Catholics (or Catholics not in a state of grace… as was once the case with me… ).

vision once at Mass in which I saw thousands of angels and saints crowding into the church. How could Satan stay there?! It is a holy place, and Jesus is right there with us in Person!

so comforting to know there is One place in the world where he doesn’t win…

But once we’re outside those church doors, we are fair game for Satan and the demons. I think they pounce as quickly as they can, sometimes before we even get to our cars, and try very hard to steal joy and peace away from us.

I know you didn’t mean this to be funny, but it made me laugh…

Then they work on making us feel guilty that we don’t feel “good” anymore.

SO so true!! Those feelings can really get us sometimes!!

Eventually we become convinced that we are totally messing up our lives and that our faith is worthless. We don’t tell anyone about our glorious Church and Jesus, and then Satan has triumphed!

Yes… true… I always get the thoght that others are so anti-Catholic, they just don’t want to hear it… but i am often surprised when people DO want to hear it… So, i have to conclude that satan lied to me again…

He has stopped us from living abundant lives, and he has stopped us from bringing other people to heaven with us.

Right… and i hate to say this, but he knows us better than we know ourselves much ofthe time… That seems to be the case w/ me… I only see in hindsight hw some situation i was in has caused me to “fall” in the way you describe… (not leading people to Heaven, etc…).

 

[distracted]

Maybe what you are saying is that you feel in church that you are valued by God because you are yourself (and that is the truth). But outside church you see that people judge by outward appearance so you feel differently about yourself. You may not have close friends or family members who are affirming you and liking you for yourself.

Gee, are you psychic or something? YOu just described my life perfectly…

This was my situation in high school and college and for some time afterwards.

Well, i am sorry for you…

but it is nice to meet someone who understands…

Christians are supposed to love one another. So church is a place we should be able to go and feel accepted and have friends outside of mass. Sadly, that doesn’t happen for all of us. Many people are just thinking about the everyday things of their daily lives and don’t reach out to others.

Again, i am glad to be understood…

I asked God to bring people into my life who shared my love for Him, and didn’t think I was weird for thinking the way I do. When I look back over the last 30 years I can see He did this

so you are the perfect one to pray for me…

We should be able to be happy because God is in our lives outside of church as well as at mass.

I feel God is in my life both in and out of the Church… but i just feel so much more so while IN…

I don’t know anything about your circumstances, but you might find it helpful to go through a Life in the Spirit seminar if a Catholic charismatic prayer group near you offers one. This was helpful to me and I met many caring people in the prayer group.

thank you. I have been meaning to get involved w/ something like that…

 

[DL82]

I do not fall away from Jesus… How could I? He is not only my best Friend, he is my ONLY friend… :hug3: :console: I just meant that… well, for example, while @ Mass or inside the Church, i feel different… I feel loved by God and that I am doing OK in His eyes… avoiding sin and all t hat… But when i am out in the world, i don’t feel very special… In fact i feel like i am “nothing” a lot of the time…

Sounds like you’re too scared of being who you should be. You have many friends, you have the whole Universal Church, on earth and in heaven. Don’t be afraid to show it. Get to know all the friends God wants you to have but who you haven’t met yet!

You are special, you are not nothing. You are made in the image of God, there is nobody else quite like you. Not only are you made in His image, you died with Him in baptism and are risen with Him already in His kingdom. You are His son, your name is written on His hands, He has sent you out as a labourer into His harvest, as a witness to Him in the world. Not to everyone has He done this, and He’s given nobody else the job He’s given to you. Why has he done this, because He loves you. Why does He love you? Just because that’s Him! Why does He bless you? Not just because He’s Him, but because He’s given you something to do.

If you love the Mass, love and remember the end of it:
Go in peace to love and to serve the Lord - Thanks be to God!

:hug3:

 

[distracted]

Sounds like you’re too scared of being who you should be.

Well, not really. I am far more myself than i used to be… I used to be scared, not so much now…

I am glad you said this because it got me thinking… and i had this revelation…

What i am really scared of (somewhat) is people who do not know Jesus as i now do…

Yes, i try to help them know Jesus… but there are times when you can’t really talk about Him… Or can you?? Hmmm… (I am thinking as i write… rather rare for me… but anyway )…

I am thinking maybe i don’t share Jesus in certain situations that i really can share Him in… but anywway… i am “distracted” by all my thoughts… forgot what i was originally saying…

you are not nothing.

Yes, i know that… Jesus told me… and He keeps on telling me (He has to, seeing as how i am kinda hard-headed )… but anyway… like i said, i feel this truth very strongly in the Church… and not always strongly outside the Church… However, i choose to listen to the Church…

You are made in the image of God, there is nobody else quite like you. Not only are you made in His image, you died with Him in baptism and are risen with Him already in His kingdom. D

Gee… could you call all my relatives and tell them that??

 

[quiet52]

A few thoughts concerning this thread occurred to me this morning shortly after attending Mass. I felt so treasured by our Lord during Mass for who I am in spite of being so imperfect, and I was very grateful aboutbeing at one with Him, and with the others attending Mass. In fact I felt close to the Church in general during Mass, and prayed for many intentions. HOLY COMMUNION is such a gift – the act of receiving Jesus is a multi-faceted one. The celebration of the Mass is such an important part of my identity as a Catholic, as a person.

Then immediately after Mass, two parishioners approached me about some tasks (I’m very involved in parish activities). That was fine with me, of course, and I love these individuals and know they love me. But they they didn’t ask how I was, and their purpose in talking with me was because of my serving in a “functionary” capacity. I could have taken this negatively, but didn’t. But I did reflect aftewrards about how often family members, and people we’re involved with on a regular basis, take us for granted, valuing us as functionaries, or objectifying us in some way or another. This makes “feeling” at one with them difficult sometimes, because it can seem impersonal. What we do, and conflict, and the expectations we place on each other, can seem to overshadow the blessings of who we are for one another.

These thoughts (and others that have fled from my brain already) helped me to be more prayerful today, remembering my identity as a Catholic and that I’m still “in communion” with our Lord and His church outside of Mass. Service, through my acts or just in being more mindful of reflecting Jesus’ love, has been easier today by being mroe mindful that I’m in communion.

Just thought I’d share these reflections.

 

[DL82]

Well, not really. I am far more myself than i used to be… I used to be scared, not so much now…

I am glad you said this because it got me thinking… and i had this revelation…

What i am really scared of (somewhat) is people who do not know Jesus as i now do…

Yes, i try to help them know Jesus… but there are times when you can’t really talk about Him… Or can you?? Hmmm… (I am thinking as i write… rather rare for me… but anyway )…

I am thinking maybe i don’t share Jesus in certain situations that i really can share Him in… but anywway… i am “distracted” by all my thoughts… forgot what i was originally saying…

The thing is, because you are made and re-made in the image of God, you can share Jesus with others just by being yourself, just by being a friend, talking to them, living the way you live. It sounds like you feel a huge amount of pressure to always be telling them in words about Jesus and what He means to you. That’s wonderful, but if you just live, just live the gospel, the chances will come along, and they’ll be natural, not forced. Relax, rest in the Lord.

 

[distracted]

But I did reflect aftewrards about how often family members, and people we’re involved with on a regular basis, take us for granted, valuing us as functionaries, or objectifying us in some way or another. This makes “feeling” at one with them difficult sometimes, because it can seem impersonal. .

Yes, i totally understand… but one good thing that comes from this kind of seeming “objectifying” is that we learn to love Jesus more and more… because He knows us and loves us and never leaves us…

People do… all the time… every time…

So, in comparison, Jesus looks all the more beautiful…

 

[distracted]

It sounds like you feel a huge amount of pressure to always be telling them in words about Jesus and what He means to you.

Guilty as charged… You have described me well… Yet, sometimes i get so tired… and feel i am not being effectual… so tend to want to give up… I am so human…

live the gospel, the chances will come along, and they’ll be natural, not forced. Relax, rest in the Lord.

well, i do that… but sometimes… well… it seems that (not trying to misinterpret what you are saying… ) that non-Catholics want nothing better than to shut us up… and when they persecute us for being “too Catholic”… wel… I don’t know… I just try to let the Holy Spirit speak through me… hopefully i am succeeding at that… @ least once in awhile…

 

[Peace-bwu]

You must not know any real, true, devout Catholics?

I always try to behave as if I am in the presence of God, because I am. We all fall short sometimes, but there is no excuse for behaving differently ouside of Mass. Aim to live your life as a prayer. Every second of our lives is a gift and chance to do good in the world, to grow in love with the Lord and love your neighbor as yourself. The Mass is an extremely important part of our lives as Catholics, but among the many reasons for going, it is supposed to strenghten us for living our lives out in the world, to live according to God’s Will, to give the love of Christ to others. This isn’t easy, it’s a lifetime process. That’s why we have Confession, and all the Sacraments, but there is no excuse for acting differently outside of Mass.

Also, I wouldn’t say Catholics are “Schizophrenic” My schizophrenic sister just so happens to be a wonderful person, both during and after Mass. She’s better than most “normal” people I know and can’t help that her brain chemistry is unbalanced. Her medication keeps her more functional than alot of “normal” people I know.

My only advice is to start today. Get a publication like “The Word Among Us.” and read it everyday, pray everyday and treat every moment as your life as a sacred gift, as an opportunity to grow and understand to greater depths, Christ’s Love, peace and mercy. If you find yourself behaving badly, do a 180 and ask God to help you. You can develope good habits to replace bad.

As a mom, I treat my life as a wife and mother just as if they are holy orders. We’re only human, we make mistakes, but we can’t give up, God has designed us for so much more than we sometimes realize.

 

[LilyM]

I feel that i do see Jesus in others. I feel i love people but i do not feel loved BY them in return. I know that i am not supposed to care about that, but i am a human being and it bothers me that others treat me like dirt sometimes, for NO apparent reason… even people in the Church (maybe especially them)… When one is empty, it is hard to feel s/he has anything much to give… (when nothing is “coming in”, hard to ahve something “going out”)… so anyway… I do things for people but from a distance… anonymously. I feel that is the best way for me to serve God at this point…

Oh hun :hug3: that’s when God loves you the most, that’s when you’re closest to His heart, because that’s when you’re most like Him - He too was treated like dirt for no apparent reason, even by those He was closest to, feeling empty (‘My God, my God, why have You abandoned me?’)

At such times just talk to Him about how you’re feeling, tell Him that you know He’s been where you are and that you trust He will help you through these feelings. Ask Him if you can join your sufferings to His so that they will serve a good purpose for yourself and others as His sufferings did.

 

[Peace-bwu]

You must not know any real, true, devout Catholics?

I always try to behave as if I am in the presence of God, because I am. We all fall short sometimes, but there is no excuse for behaving differently ouside of Mass. Aim to live your life as a prayer. Every second of our lives is a gift and chance to do good in the world, to grow in love with the Lord and love your neighbor as yourself. The Mass is an extremely important part of our lives as Catholics, but among the many reasons for going, it is supposed to strenghten us for living our lives out in the world, to live according to God’s Will, to give the love of Christ to others. This isn’t easy, it’s a lifetime process. That’s why we have Confession, and all the Sacraments, but there is no excuse for acting differently outside of Mass.

Also, I wouldn’t say Catholics are “Schizophrenic” My schizophrenic sister just so happens to be a wonderful person, both during and after Mass. She’s better than most “normal” people I know and can’t help that her brain chemistry is unbalanced. Her medication keeps her more functional than alot of “normal” people I know.

My only advice is to start today. Get a publication like “The Word Among Us.” and read it everyday, pray everyday and treat every moment as your life as a sacred gift, as an opportunity to grow and understand to greater depths, Christ’s Love, peace and mercy. If you find yourself behaving badly, do a 180 and ask God to help you. You can develope good habits to replace bad.

As a mom, I treat my life as a wife and mother just as if they are holy orders. We’re only human, we make mistakes, but we can’t give up, God has designed us for so much more than we sometimes realize.

Sorry, your original post wasn’t detailed so I misunderstood what you were getting at. I think I understand a lot of what you are feeling. I used to feel all the time that I didn’t belong in this world because people were so mean to me for no reason and yet I was so loving and kind to everyone. Highschool was the worst, both with my parents and fellow students. It took me several years in my adult life to come to some conclusions. I’ve learned to trust and follow the promptings of the Holy Spirit when it comes to my gut instinct about people, and believe that everyone who crosses my path is there for a reason. Sometimes that reason isn’t what we expect. I’ve learned to give love freely with an open heart, yet to understand that Jesus doesn’t expect me to give pearls to swine to be trampled upon. It’s good to pray for guidance and wisdom so that you can have good discernment about the people around you and decisions you make. I agree that it is good to offer up your sufferings and that it brings us closer to Jesus, the Lord gave you gifts to share and give yet also wants you to be nurtured and loved. You can’t be nurtured and loved back by everyone that you show love to, but you do need a few true and loving friends. I will pray for you now that you will find some people who will enter your life and be that kind of friend to you.

 

[distracted]

Finally words of wisdom!!! I know what distracted was talking about. I have also noticed that sometimes, not always, that the minute I walk out of Mass I get angry, at someone or something. Thing is I’ve noticed it and taken control of it. I’m sure this happens to many. Is this what you were refering to distracted? !

Yes, more or less. I don’ feel i do anything horrible outside of Mass… but I just feel like a different person… I feel kind of blah outside the Church… Not always… but anyway, i figure it is just the fact tht the world values things that Christians (good ones) don’t normally value… and so, that can lead to depression… feeling “less than” (those who have more, materially, for example…)… the world looks down on those who renounce wealth and prestige, etc… and i have renounced those kinds of things…

It stands to reason we would feel better in Christ’s loving Presence than outside of it… whether we have spent much time in that Presence or not… I never spent much time there until about… something like 10 yrs ago… when a priest told me about meditating at the blessed Sacarmanet… best gift i have ever received… but then again, that goes without saying.

 

[distracted]

. I am not interested in the latest garbage on TV, I don’t admire the latest celebrity superstar, I don’t like having sexual images and filthy language barraging me from all four corners; money, wealth, power, sex and prestige are not my aim in life. I sometimes feel isolated and alone in general society.

Our society is, as Father Corapi puts it, a “cesspool”, and we have to manage to wade through it without getting dirty. It takes the strength of Jesus to help us through every day.

I think this is what the OP might be trying to say.

that is exactly what i was saying… and the metaphor of a cesspool is so appropo… Sometimes the good things ofthe world seem … so good, but they really are not… (always)… so we can be walking in a cesspool and sometimes not even be aware that it is THAT bad… that is, in fact, a cesspool…

If it weren’t for Jesus, i would want to run from the cesspool… but with Him, well, i cn go on…

I sometimes think bums have got something figured out…

 

[distracted]

… WHY do we “change” once Mass has ended? We are certainly called to live our lives in holiness… and we’ve been shown over and over, that holiness is certainly attainable to all of us (religious and laity) through the everyday experiences of the lives of the saints. .

So… I guess it would follow, that the remedy for this would be for each of us to make a concerted effort to carry the Mass into our daily lives. Strive for holiness.

I used to make (what i feel ) is this same mistake … or whatever you call it… I used to think i was doing something wrong… or that, if not… I could at least change myself to … do better… but as stated in OP, i have come to just accept this as something being just the way it is…

I try hard to be a good Christian outside of Church… so that is not the problem (except that i have blind sides, etc… )…

Actually, i think it is a beautiful illustration of how Jesus really IS Present in the Tabernacle… :hug3:

 

[distracted]

You must not know any real, true, devout Catholics?

Well, maybe, maybe not… I don’t know anyone WELL… Catholic or non-C… so i can’t say for sure who is a true Catholic and who is… well, something a l ittle less than that… (not that i could, really, anyway… except that “you will know them by t heir fruits”. ) Anyway, i think u made the mistake a lot of people here made - not fully understanding the OP…

See Post #16… that explains things very well… and there are others, but i can’t recall wht # they are…

I don’t do terrible things outside of Church… i try not to even commit “small sins” but… as u know, i am human… :whacky: :banghead: uch:

there is no excuse for behaving differently ouside of Mass.

i agree, but, as stated, i do not behave “differently” outside of Mass…

In any case, i appreciate what all you had to say… it ws good to read, even though i wasn’t (am not) too awfully guilty of doing things “differently outside of Mass…”

 

[distracted]

, because that’s when you’re most like Him - He too was treated like dirt for no apparent reason,

Yes, that thought gives me great consolation… knowing that He knows all about those feelings… makes me love Him more :hug3:

feeling empty (‘My God, my God, why have You abandoned me?’)

That is the title of a book i am writing about my life… Just kidding… but it could be…

At such times just talk to Him about how you’re feeling, tell Him that you know He’s been where you are and that you trust He will help you through these feelings. Ask Him if you can join your sufferings to His so that they will serve a good purpose for yourself and others as His sufferings did.

I do this, but probably need to do it more often… If i could, i would spend half my time (or more) at the Blessed Sacrament… but tht is not feasible at this time… so… i do what i can. The rosary is VErY helpful…

 

[distracted]

. I used to feel all the time that I didn’t belong in this world because people were so mean to me for no reason and yet I was so loving and kind to everyone.

That certainly rings a bell with me… I sometimes think it is just a matter of being close to Jesus… & people can sense it and if they are not “there” …well, maybe they feel threatened or something… or maybe it is just one of those “you are different from me” types of things… but whatever it is, it can really bite sometimes…

everyone who crosses my path is there for a reason. Sometimes that reason isn’t what we expect.

For Sure!!

I’ve learned to give love freely with an open heart, yet to understand that Jesus doesn’t expect me to give pearls to swine to be trampled upon.

Yeah, sometimes you just don’t know when you are doing that or not… the Learning process can be… difficult/painful…

. I agree that it is good to offer up your sufferings and that it brings us closer to Jesus,

Yes… I wasn’t taught to do this until late in life… when i studied the Faith on my own… I am glad i did… (i almost didn’t bother, didn’t think it ws all that importnat… ).

You can’t be nurtured and loved back by everyone that you show love to, but you do need a few true and loving friends. .

Does such a thing exist in the human realm?? Al my friends have left me because i became rabidly Catholic… (sorry, couldn’t think of another word…). I realize they were not true friends in the first place… but still, it hurts to feel that no one understands you (except Jesus)… but when you think about it, all you really need is Jesus anyway… He is the only one who never goes away… (unles, God forbid, you make Him go away through sin)…

 

[distracted]

Also, I wouldn’t say Catholics are “Schizophrenic” My schizophrenic sister just so happens to be a wonderful person, both during and after Mass.

i hope i didn’t offend anyone by my use of that word… I just used it because it is supposed to mean “split brain” or something likethat…
Maybe split personality would have been a better COW (choice of words ).

I think all of us have more than one personality… we homo sapiens are too complex not to…