This "Schizophrenic" thing that always happens to Catholics

[benedictgal]

For me, this usually happens during Advent. We are supposed to be in prayerful anticipation of the birth of the Christ Child. However, at least for me, the tranquilty at Church seems to evaporate faster than water in a puddle in 100-degree heat. Fighting at the parking lot for the last space within reasonable walking distance of the mall or grocery store, waiting in long lines at the department store (I’m now shopping online), getting snarled in traffic as paisanos (folks who live and work in the U.S., but return home to Mexico every December) tie up the streets and the interstate and a bunch of other stressful things do take a toll on one’s sanity, patience and demeanor.

Believe it or not, Lent is just as bad, especially Holy Week. Holy Week is big in Mexico and, since I live on the border (Texas side), we get a lot of folks from south of the border who come and shop. The bridges, malls, parking lots and streets are clogged, even worse than Advent. They don’t know the US driving norms and it can be a headache navigating through Laredo during this time of year. We are supposed to be accompanying our Lord throughout Holy Week, especially during Triduum. However, down here, it’s a madhouse. What is even worse is that Holy Week has become commercialized. We invite our firends from Mexico to come and shop, shop and shop. Then, if that weren’t enough, San Antonio invites them to come and spend the weekend for more shopping. It’s as though we’ve lost the real meaning of Holy Week and have made North Star Mall and La Cantera the pilgrimage destinations instead of San Fernando, St. Mary’s, San Agustin and St. Peter’s.

It’s taken a lot out of me to not lose it every year.

 

[GailMac]

Ummmmm…aren’t we supposed to behave differently at Mass?

My problem is with others who tend to behave as if they’re on their way to the beach and Mass must be squeezed in before the afternoon’s fun!

I wouldn’t worry much - you seem to be heading in a right direction. Piety is a gift of the Holy Spirit and some don’t have it. The fact that you are aware that you are different after the Mass then you are during it, says two things to me: you are making an effort at piety while there and you are trying to be less sinful when you aren’t. I also think that those behave the same way in Mass as they do in everyday life are something special - saints! or firmly on their way! God bless your efforts and keep trying.

Some said to me recently that saints are sinners who never quit trying. So hang in there.

O, BTW, did you know that the Apostle Thomas’s other name is Didymus, meaning two minds? LOL.

Peace,

Gail

 

[strngrnrth]

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…

I wasn’t offended but worried. I know many mentally ill people (a little time on the skids and drugs will have that effect on some of our lives. I guess God will use it for good.) To me, confusion among schizophrenia (an inability to respond rationally to reality, originally assumed to be caused by rejection of the feelings or of some thoughts, hence “split brain”), MPD (a dissociative disorder that results from an inability to comprehend some trauma all at once, so that one “knows” about only part of it at a time in various “personalities”) and changeability (normal), can result in a lack of understanding of common mental issues.
But I know what you mean about changing as soon as you step out the door. I struggle to stay in the right frame of mind all the time. Maybe if I went to Mass daily it would be better.

 

[distracted]

Ischizophrenia (an inability to respond rationally to reality, originally assumed to be caused by rejection of the feelings or of some thoughts, hence “split brain”),

i have never heard that definition of schizophrenia…

.
But I know what you mean about changing as soon as you step out the door. I struggle to stay in the right frame of mind all the time. Maybe if I went to Mass daily it would be better.

I have some bad news for u… with me anyway… daily Mass makes it worse…

I feel that Jesus “spoils” me (daily Mass, the rosary, etc.) & then i find it that much more difficult to “relate” to the outside world… but of course, i wouldn’t trade being close to Him with being able to relate to the “world” for anythihng… (for the world… ).
Have u studied psychology? it sounds kind of like it…

 

[distracted]

My problem is with others who tend to behave as if they’re on their way to the beach and Mass must be squeezed in before the afternoon’s fun!

Well, its better than going 2 the beach & forgetting about Mass… (The cup is half full ).

I also think that those behave the same way in Mass as they do in everyday life are something special -

actually, i never said i behave differently, just that I FEEL differently… I feel loved by God @ Mass… and sometimes @ other times… but a lot of the time when not with Him that way, i feel some bad, uncomfortable things… since the world is (obviously) not on the same page iwth Jesus…

Have u noticed how people don’t even want to hear His name mentioned in public??

And whereas words such as b---- (4 a woman)… and p---- (a man’s private area) are now OK to say on TV… .but there is one word
u will NEVER, EVER hear on TV (regular TV): Jesus… (unless as a swear word )…

 

[Pax_Vobiscum_57]

Not all of us carry the message as well as we should. I am a prime example. However, I do seem to notice a difference in myself when I make the effort to attend daily Mass.

It also helps to keep a rosary in your pocket, and pray whenever you need lifting up. Kind of hard to be nasty to someone after you’ve received the Body and Blood, and are constantly reminded of prayer. May not be for everyone, but it works for me!

 

[I_Believe]

Not all of us carry the message as well as we should. I am a prime example. However, I do seem to notice a difference in myself when I make the effort to attend daily Mass.

It also helps to keep a rosary in your pocket, and pray whenever you need lifting up. Kind of hard to be nasty to someone after you’ve received the Body and Blood, and are constantly reminded of prayer. May not be for everyone, but it works for me!

Daily Mass is a must for me. It’s a break from the mundane.

We live in a sick, immoral society, and I think that is why we struggle so much when walking back into it after Mass.

Daily Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, prayer, and mortification are my ways of dealing with this filthy world. And it must be working, because I’m losing my desire to argue with others on this forum lol.

 

[guanophore]

i guess its my fault… but I feel you totally misunderstood me ( that happens a lot… ).

I do all these things you mention… In fact, i think some people think i am a “Jesus freak”…

No… again, you don’t understand. 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… and of course, since i don’t have a lot of worldy stuff, things the world values, its no wonder i feel tht way…

I could give other examples, but that’s the one that comes to mind right now…

Sorry i didn’t clarify exactly waht i meant… :whacky:

I think that the devil really wants to make the graces of the Eucharist impotent for us in our daily lives. He especially focuses on those who are fervent in faith (ie, “jesus freaks”). He likes to convince us that we are “nothing” most of the time, so that we will not walk in power and authority. I recommend a reading of CS Lewis’ Screwtape Letters. This is fiction, but has a lot to say about Satan’s tactics to weaken our faith walk.

It is also very important not to be directed by “feelings”. Feelings do not determine eternal truth, but rather, the Word of God. It is good to listen to the Word throughout the day. If you cannot pray the Liturgy of the Hours, then it is good also to have Catholic radio in your area. I also recommend the Bible on CD, or now they have it on MP3. If you fill your mind richly with the Word then you will not be tossed about by feelings that may lead you to the contrary.

For myself this problem was cured when I became involved in the Charismatic Renewal and received the gift of tongues. I became able to pray constantly in the spirit, which I could not do before. I read many things against this here on CAF, so I know this devotional practice does not commend itself to many, however, I have found it indispensible for my walk of faith.

 

[distracted]

IHe especially focuses on those who are fervent in faith (ie, “jesus freaks”). He likes to convince us that we are “nothing” most of the time, so that we will not walk in power and authority.

so true… and it doesn’t help that i am too often around people who don’t seem to think i am “much”… but that’s another story… I gues the point is that the devil knows our “psychology” better than we do, i think… & uses it against us…

I recommend a reading of CS Lewis’ Screwtape Letters.

i’ve read that twice.

It is also very important not to be directed by “feelings”.

i know that… although sometimes easier to “know” than to do… Even so, God did give us feelings… they are there to tell us something… and we should not totally ignore them… If they are causing us to stumble in Christ… then we need to do soemthing about them, but not ignore them…

Feelings do not determine eternal truth,

it’s a goodthing this is true… otherwise, i would have been… well, whatever… all i can say is that my feelings have told me some horrendous un-truths…in the past (mostly in the past). The biggest one was “God doesn’t care. You are not holy enough to go back to Him.” Well, there was a half-truth in that… No one is “holy enough” for God… but He knows when we are trying…

I also recommend the Bible on CD, or now they have it on MP3.

i don’t even know what an MP3 is… :whacky:

If you fill your mind richly with the Word then you will not be tossed about by feelings that may lead you to the contrary.

I was reading from Isaiah and Daniel last night… was only looking something up but got very interested in what i was reading… about the wrath of God… everyone seems to think God… well, that He isn’t angry anymore (with sin)… but they forget that: God doesn’t change…

For myself this problem was cured when I became involved in the Charismatic Renewal and received the gift of tongues. .

i have been interested in that… get “distracted” every time i think about doing something to join… but maybe i will repent of my laziness and finally do something about it… thanks…

(actually i am more depressed than lazy… but one leads to the other…)