Thoughts Of Being Kind To Catholics Still Learning

[GRACE1022]

I’ve been a catholic my entire life.
Although, it’s unfortunate that as far back as I
can remember I have always had a hard time remembering
what I’ve read.
Even in school when I was younger my mother would
express to teachers that I would do much better if I was
given tests out loud.

I feel at times I come across Catholics that practice but
seem to have a harsh way of being open to those of us
who are still learning. If I need help with something I found
that this website would be GREAT for it does seem very informative. At times though, I find some saying that one is
ignorant if they claim to be catholic but do not know the bible.

I was wondering if anyone else felt as I did at times?
What there view is on this topic and how I should approach
the situation for my area of memory is difficult but I do
BELIEVE and to me that is important.

I also, have stayed away from Catholic singles retreats and
group vacations for I fear during prayer time topics in the bible
come up where I can’t remember.

Should I continue to avoid these retreats?
This is where I just don’t know how to deal with acceptance
in learning.

GRACE

 

[rpp]

Grace,

Do not worry that you cannot often remember what you read in the Bible. It is okay. Go on those retreats and meet other Catholics. Do not worry that you are not St. Thomas Aquinas or St. Therese of Avila.

Instead, simply be you.

 

[FAB]

We are all still learning, so don’t feel bad if you don’t remember a specific verse of the bible of specific teaching.
After 5 years of study through vaious program, there is still much still to learn , not only about the church but about scripture as well. There are numerous theolgical studies that are working to unfold the many messages of the scriptures. Any one who thinks thay know it all are just fooling themselves.

Peace,
FAB:bible1:

 

[Texas_Roofer]

Would you be upset if I laughed? here is why

Even in school when I was younger my mother would express to teachers that I would do much better if I was
given tests out loud.

I feel at times I come across Catholics that practice but seem to have a harsh way of being open to those of us"

Was the purpose of the “test” to change the communication method from written to oral or to embarrass you? Embarrassing someone and being “hash” would not be inside Jesus’ teachings.

I was wondering if anyone else felt as I did at times?

yes, many people

What there view is on this topic and how I should approach
the situation for my area of memory is difficult but I do
BELIEVE and to me that is important.

If you can remember :
Catechism: 2196
In response to the question about the first of the commandments, Jesus says: "The first is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one; and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these."2

2 Mk 12:29-31; cf. Deut 6:4-5; Lev 19:18; Mt 22:34-40; Lk 10:25-28.

I also, have stayed away from Catholic singles retreats and
group vacations for I fear during prayer time topics in the bible
come up where I can’t remember.

Should I continue to avoid these retreats?
This is where I just don’t know how to deal with acceptance
in learning.

GRACE

It sounds like you are Catholic and they are not so you must forgive them! no other options

 

[GRACE1022]

Grace,

Do not worry that you cannot often remember what you read in the Bible. It is okay. Go on those retreats and meet other Catholics. Do not worry that you are not St. Thomas Aquinas or St. Therese of Avila.

Instead, simply be you.

RPP,

Thank you so much those were such encouraging words!
There are so many who are religious but seem to believe
their knowledge is above all others and then condemn you
if you just don’t know or if your opinion is a little different then
theirs. I’m sure at times my way of interpreting is that way
for it’s hard to remember.

But thank you so much, I much press on knowing that
the love of God is by my side.

GRACE

 

[GRACE1022]

We are all still learning, so don’t feel bad if you don’t remember a specific verse of the bible of specific teaching.
After 5 years of study through vaious program, there is still much still to learn , not only about the church but about scripture as well. There are numerous theolgical studies that are working to unfold the many messages of the scriptures. Any one who thinks thay know it all are just fooling themselves.

Peace,
FAB:bible1:

Thank you Fab,

I just wish there was a way for many others to understand
that it’s great to give the gift of what they have learned to others
versus just digging at them that they don’t know enough.

GRACE

 

[GRACE1022]

Would you be upset if I laughed? here is why
Was the purpose of the “test” to change the communication method from written to oral or to embarrass you? Embarrassing someone and being “hash” would not be inside Jesus’ teachings.

No not to embarrass me, it’s how I did better on a test oral versus written, because I had a hard time remembering what I just read.

yes, many people If you can remember :
Catechism: 2196
In response to the question about the first of the commandments, Jesus says: "The first is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one; and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these."2

2 Mk 12:29-31; cf. Deut 6:4-5; Lev 19:18; Mt 22:34-40; Lk 10:25-28.

Yes it is true indeed but it’s a shame that in a world of us being sinners many do not stick by the loving their neighbor as themselves and they feel their smarts are better then others

It sounds like you are Catholic and they are not so you must forgive them! no other options

Maybe you could be right but they are catholic retreats so
I would hope they are not lying and they are indeed catholic to go on the retreats.

GRACE

 

[rlg94086]

Hi Grace,

I think many feel that way, and many of us are guilty of being harsh at times. The reason, I believe, is that some of the people who disagree with Church teaching take a harsh tone when disagreeing with those who are presenting the Church’s view. Because of this, we all get into “fight” mode too easily.

I am a convert and my wife is a “cradle” Catholic. Due to everything I was learning as I converted and after I converted, my wife has learned a lot about her faith that she had either forgotten or didn’t learn growing up. She doesn’t like to argue or debate as she always feels inadequate, so she often reminds me not to be argumentative with people…not that I always listen.

Finally, please read my signature quote of Br. Jerome Leo. It really struck me as profound when I read it in one of his daily reflections on The Rule. It is spot on! In fact, I always think it is ironic that I converted at a very “liberal” (“California Catholic” ) parish that emphasized conscience and wasn’t really following Church teaching or rubrics properly in some areas. I’m now very far removed from that outlook, but I am not certain that I would have converted as easily if my first Catholic experience was at a “traditional” parish. Of course, it is always hard to know those things, but the thread of teaching that really “hooked” me was that the Church doesn’t teach us that we “know” someone is going to hell…we leave that to God. I know that is a small thing, but it was a refreshing teaching coming from my Atheist/Agnostic/Bible Christian/Buddhist/Presbytierian experiences.

My advice - have the same patience with those who are “harsh” as you would like them to have with you. They’ve got shortcomings too…

 

[Joe_5859]

There’s no harm in still learning. We’re all doing it.

I think sometimes, some of us have difficulty distinguishing between those who come here and ask questions in order to be combative, and those who come here to ask questions out of a sincere desire to grow in their knowledge of the Catholic faith. When you’re simply reading a post on an internet forum, sometimes they can sound the same.

None of us are perfect, and we all can hit the “submit reply” button a bit too quickly sometimes. It’s all part of the CAF experience.

And if there is a good retreat you have the opportunity to go on, by all means you should go. I remember thinking much the same as you before I went on my first retreat. When I went, I was shocked to find that most of the people there were not Bible scholars!

 

[GRACE1022]

Hi Grace,

I think many feel that way, and many of us are guilty of being harsh at times. The reason, I believe, is that some of the people who disagree with Church teaching take a harsh tone when disagreeing with those who are presenting the Church’s view. Because of this, we all get into “fight” mode too easily.

I am a convert and my wife is a “cradle” Catholic. Due to everything I was learning as I converted and after I converted, my wife has learned a lot about her faith that she had either forgotten or didn’t learn growing up. She doesn’t like to argue or debate as she always feels inadequate, so she often reminds me not to be argumentative with people…not that I always listen.

Finally, please read my signature quote of Br. Jerome Leo. It really struck me as profound when I read it in one of his daily reflections on The Rule. It is spot on! In fact, I always think it is ironic that I converted at a very “liberal” (“California Catholic” ) parish that emphasized conscience and wasn’t really following Church teaching or rubrics properly in some areas. I’m now very far removed from that outlook, but I am not certain that I would have converted as easily if my first Catholic experience was at a “traditional” parish. Of course, it is always hard to know those things, but the thread of teaching that really “hooked” me was that the Church doesn’t teach us that we “know” someone is going to hell…we leave that to God. I know that is a small thing, but it was a refreshing teaching coming from my Atheist/Agnostic/Bible Christian/Buddhist/Presbytierian experiences.

My advice - have the same patience with those who are “harsh” as you would like them to have with you. They’ve got shortcomings too…

AMEN to that on being patient but some people don’t
seem to have the same insight. I find it difficult when
harsh debates occur in thoughts on God.
We are not God he is…the only one…

GRACE

 

[GRACE1022]

There’s no harm in still learning. We’re all doing it.

I think sometimes, some of us have difficulty distinguishing between those who come here and ask questions in order to be combative, and those who come here to ask questions out of a sincere desire to grow in their knowledge of the Catholic faith. When you’re simply reading a post on an internet forum, sometimes they can sound the same.

None of us are perfect, and we all can hit the “submit reply” button a bit too quickly sometimes. It’s all part of the CAF experience.

And if there is a good retreat you have the opportunity to go on, by all means you should go. I remember thinking much the same as you before I went on my first retreat. When I went, I was shocked to find that most of the people there were not Bible scholars!

thanks Joe that puts my mind a little at ease…I guess
I really need to stop and think that we are not perfect and acceptance maybe hard for some but as long as I’m open
minded it should flow easier.

GRACE

 

[Nom_the_Wise]

I was wondering if anyone else felt as I did at times?

Every single day. Sometimes you just don’t know that you don’t know. I was a seminarian and my culpability is higher than others, so sometimes even when you think you know, you really don’t know. I’m guilty of blasting people, and everytime you feel like you’re being blasted, the “shooter” is showing how much they don’t know. Our first command is to love. “They will know we are Christians by our love.” I’m guilty of it too.

 

[GRACE1022]

Every single day. Sometimes you just don’t know that you don’t know. I was a seminarian and my culpability is higher than others, so sometimes even when you think you know, you really don’t know. I’m guilty of blasting people, and everytime you feel like you’re being blasted, the “shooter” is showing how much they don’t know. Our first command is to love. “They will know we are Christians by our love.” I’m guilty of it too.

Then in us being christians MORE POWER to us
trying harder on LOVING others and respecting them.

AMEN!!!

GRACE