To Fall in Love With Christ

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Vianneyizer

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Greeting my dear brothers and sisters of faith. I am so thankful to God that I have been brought into this wonderful community of believers. Perhaps you will bless me with your thoughts regarding this question: How should we best go about explaining to others our love of Christ? Oh but not so simple a thing as is typical. I know this would seem like such a beginners quandary but I mean in a much more specific sense as regarding this notion of “falling in love”. I am thinking of how I tell people about my incredible wife, that certain smile that I get or the glint of supreme adoration in my eyes. I often find that by talking with others about my wife they too develop a certain fondness and respect even before they meet her. So then, if I can talk about my wife and persuade others of her wonderful kindness and love how can I also do this regarding my love of Christ? Is it because the world hates Our Lord? Is that why there is such a disposition of anonymity even from the very first mention of Christ? Then how do we (how do you) go about this. I do not ask in hopes of receiving a literal answer but rather to stir up your heart and also my own.

Love, Joy, and Peace be with you all through the unity of The Holy Spirit and resting in the grace of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ -

Zac
 
I would hope you posted the question to engage in a discussion on the topic, not so much to just have us read and reflect. Good questions, by the way.

This Easter I have begun to experience this ‘love for Christ’ of which you speak. It’s still very new to me so I’m not really looking to share it with others yet. However, the daily readings for mass have been covering the Acts of the Apostles. There is no question that when one is open to receiving the gifts of the Spirit, which foster this loving relationship with Christ, the Spirit will move that person to share His love at a directed moment, to a directed audience. The key seems to be remaining open to His guidance.
 
What a wonderful faith you have. Yes, The Holy Spirit will indeed guide us in all things. I appreciate your response so please allow me to ask you a more pointed question: when you do speak of Christ to what quality do you most closely adore? Is it his infinite mercy that says, “forgive them for they know not what they do…” Or is it his unfailing commitment to “do the work that my father has sent me to do.” Perhaps you are drawn most profoundly to his humility that strips away all to wash the feet of the apostles. Or maybe you desire to walk in his heartfelt zeal that admonishes the money changers “you shall not make my fathers house a house of merchandise.” Oh the many wonders of Christ!! Please, please, share with me what parts of Our Lord you love the most.

Yours in The Spirit -

Zac
 
Vianneyizer said:
Greeting my dear brothers and sisters of faith. I am so thankful to God that I have been brought into this wonderful community of believers. Perhaps you will bless me with your thoughts regarding this question: How should we best go about explaining to others our love of Christ? Oh but not so simple a thing as is typical. I know this would seem like such a beginners quandary but I mean in a much more specific sense as regarding this notion of “falling in love”. I am thinking of how I tell people about my incredible wife, that certain smile that I get or the glint of supreme adoration in my eyes. I often find that by talking with others about my wife they too develop a certain fondness and respect even before they meet her. So then, if I can talk about my wife and persuade others of her wonderful kindness and love how can I also do this regarding my love of Christ? Is it because the world hates Our Lord? Is that why there is such a disposition of anonymity even from the very first mention of Christ? Then how do we (how do you) go about this. I do not ask in hopes of receiving a literal answer but rather to stir up your heart and also my own.

Love, Joy, and Peace be with you all through the unity of The Holy Spirit and resting in the grace of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ -

Zac
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Our love for Christ can be explained also by our charity acts.
We have to be simple, like Jesus was. 🙂

hope19
 
Vianneyizer said:
I appreciate your response so please allow me to ask you a more pointed question: when you do speak of Christ to what quality do you most closely adore?

Zac
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Well that’s the thing, nowadays I don’t speak of Christ. The Spirit speaks of Christ through me. I have learned this Lent/Easter to get out of his way.

Our parish went through Parts 1 and 2 of the All Hearts Afire program. Part 1 focused on consecration to Mary, and Part 2 focused on consoling the heart of Jesus. The program is helping me empty myself in order to receive maximum graces, not so much for my own sake, but so that I may be a better conduit of his graces to others.
Is it his infinite mercy that says, “forgive them for they know not what they do…” Or is it his unfailing commitment to “do the work that my father has sent me to do.” Perhaps you are drawn most profoundly to his humility that strips away all to wash the feet of the apostles. Or maybe you desire to walk in his heartfelt zeal that admonishes the money changers "you shall not make my fathers house a house of merchandise.
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At this point in my journey I suppose I’d have to answer I’m drawn to “His Thirst” (as revealed to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque and St. Therese):
Behold the Heart which has so loved men that it has spared nothing, even to exhausting and consuming Itself, in order to testify Its love; and in return, I receive from the greater part only ingratitude, by their irreverence and sacrilege, and by the coldness and contempt they have for Me in this Sacrament of Love.
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I’m not at the adore stage as much as I’m at the ‘what can I do to help?’ stage. I can’t see past all the people around me who fall into that category of ingratitude and coldness, (myself, included, prior to this season). I believe the best way I can help relieve his thirst is to work at keeping myself in a state of grace so that he can show me how best I can serve him through others.

Maybe I’m more in the ‘trusting’ stage. I have to trust in him in order to let go of myself. I know that His way will be more direct, more effective at alleviating his sorrow than anything I could come up with. He’s in the drivers seat. The people he arranges for me to cross paths with are his. My job is to listen with the heart of Mary, and respond with her heart, so she can guide them to her son.
 
GAHere said:
Well that’s the thing, nowadays I don’t speak of Christ. The Spirit speaks of Christ through me. I have learned this Lent/Easter to get out of his way.

Our parish went through Parts 1 and 2 of the All Hearts Afire program. Part 1 focused on consecration to Mary, and Part 2 focused on consoling the heart of Jesus. The program is helping me empty myself in order to receive maximum graces, not so much for my own sake, but so that I may be a better conduit of his graces to others.

At this point in my journey I suppose I’d have to answer I’m drawn to “His Thirst” (as revealed to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque and St. Therese):

I’m not at the adore stage as much as I’m at the ‘what can I do to help?’ stage. I can’t see past all the people around me who fall into that category of ingratitude and coldness, (myself, included, prior to this season). I believe the best way I can help relieve his thirst is to work at keeping myself in a state of grace so that he can show me how best I can serve him through others.

Maybe I’m more in the ‘trusting’ stage. I have to trust in him in order to let go of myself. I know that His way will be more direct, more effective at alleviating his sorrow than anything I could come up with. He’s in the drivers seat. The people he arranges for me to cross paths with are his. My job is to listen with the heart of Mary, and respond with her heart, so she can guide them to her son.
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How wonderful for you to be given these new graces that brought you out of that place of, as you put it, ingratitude and coldness. I am very happy for you. However, I do have this slight bit of concern in that you say you cannot see past the people around you who have failed to receive the same grace. I do not presume to know you but such musings - those of being troubled by the shortcomings of others - often tend to lead down the path of wrong judgement (that judgement of outer things rather than inner truths) and can distract us, as you testified, from adoration and right service of God. In fact, because we are fellow travelers, I would like to challenge you plainly out of pure love. Do you see any contradiction in your first statement of you “getting out of the way” of The Holy Spirit when speaking of Christ but yet wondering “what can I do to help” in regards to your dealings with the body of Christ? I cannot say and do not suppose but only ask you. Maybe if you got out of The Spirit’s way in this as well you could begin to see past other people’s lack of devotion and genuine discernment of The Real Presence. But also maybe I am reading too far into things. It is clear you have made significant progress in The Faith.

Blessings and love upon you through Christ -

Zac
 
By ‘not getting past’ I meant wherever I turn I see the souls Jesus longs for. There is much to be done so that inspires me to remain focused on being at the ready to help as he sees fit. It is not a distraction or barrier.
 
Vianneyizer said:
Greeting my dear brothers and sisters of faith. I am so thankful to God that I have been brought into this wonderful community of believers. Perhaps you will bless me with your thoughts regarding this question: How should we best go about explaining to others our love of Christ? Oh but not so simple a thing as is typical. I know this would seem like such a beginners quandary but I mean in a much more specific sense as regarding this notion of “falling in love”. I am thinking of how I tell people about my incredible wife, that certain smile that I get or the glint of supreme adoration in my eyes. I often find that by talking with others about my wife they too develop a certain fondness and respect even before they meet her. So then, if I can talk about my wife and persuade others of her wonderful kindness and love how can I also do this regarding my love of Christ? Is it because the world hates Our Lord? Is that why there is such a disposition of anonymity even from the very first mention of Christ? Then how do we (how do you) go about this. I do not ask in hopes of receiving a literal answer but rather to stir up your heart and also my own.

Love, Joy, and Peace be with you all through the unity of The Holy Spirit and resting in the grace of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ -

Zac
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Excellent question!
Brother, you are gifted with eloquence.
Keep on writing. Keep on praying.

I wish I had a simple answer.
I’ve tried various of my own little schemes. Some worked, some not. I’m still learning on my journey awaiting more of His supreme light, as I discover His Will, to share with those around me. It’s very exciting and there is nothing to fear. We try one method and learn from it to try another.

Certainly, living Christ by example to others is more effective than explanations.

Also, IMO, us catholics need to start now memorizing passages in the Holy Bible much like our protestant brothers in Christ.

God’s Word is powerful beyond all man’s imagination!

Read scripture out loud. Pray out loud.
That helps to preaching out loud, as well as avoiding temptation.

For you are a holy people to the LORD your God; the LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for His own possession out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth.
Deutoronomy 7:6

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
Romans 12:2
 
Vianneyizer said:
What a wonderful faith you have. Yes, The Holy Spirit will indeed guide us in all things. I appreciate your response so please allow me to ask you a more pointed question: when you do speak of Christ to what quality do you most closely adore? Is it his infinite mercy that says, “forgive them for they know not what they do…” Or is it his unfailing commitment to “do the work that my father has sent me to do.” Perhaps you are drawn most profoundly to his humility that strips away all to wash the feet of the apostles. Or maybe you desire to walk in his heartfelt zeal that admonishes the money changers “you shall not make my fathers house a house of merchandise.” Oh the many wonders of Christ!! Please, please, share with me what parts of Our Lord you love the most.

Yours in The Spirit -

Zac
Click to expand...
Another good question…
“What quality of Him do you most closely adore?”
This is the key to capturing their attention.
Maybe it is that, we torture and kill Him with our sins, yet He loves us just the same.
 
Vianneyizer said:
Greeting my dear brothers and sisters of faith. I am so thankful to God that I have been brought into this wonderful community of believers. Perhaps you will bless me with your thoughts regarding this question: How should we best go about explaining to others our love of Christ? Oh but not so simple a thing as is typical. I know this would seem like such a beginners quandary but I mean in a much more specific sense as regarding this notion of “falling in love”. I am thinking of how I tell people about my incredible wife, that certain smile that I get or the glint of supreme adoration in my eyes. I often find that by talking with others about my wife they too develop a certain fondness and respect even before they meet her. So then, if I can talk about my wife and persuade others of her wonderful kindness and love how can I also do this regarding my love of Christ? Is it because the world hates Our Lord? Is that why there is such a disposition of anonymity even from the very first mention of Christ? Then how do we (how do you) go about this. I do not ask in hopes of receiving a literal answer but rather to stir up your heart and also my own.

Love, Joy, and Peace be with you all through the unity of The Holy Spirit and resting in the grace of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ -

Zac
Click to expand...
“Is it because the world hates our Lord?”

We are going to stand out for sure. Some will ridicule us. Some will secretly admire our faith but will not let there guard down. Some will want to debate. Some will think you are evil because you claim to be a believer but only see your human frailty.

How tempted we are to compromise.

Never. Ever. Let any of them slow you down. You may have to curb your lips in certain environments like the workplace.

What the world offers us is the seven capital sins.

The world that crucified Christ wants to crucify us.

If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you.
John 15:19
 
GAHere said:
By ‘not getting past’ I meant wherever I turn I see the souls Jesus longs for. There is much to be done so that inspires me to remain focused on being at the ready to help as he sees fit. It is not a distraction or barrier.
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How very well put. Yes, I have put my nose where it did not belong and I am sorry. Be well and continue to see those souls that Christ longed for in all men. I recall once saying to my priest how I had been doing devotions to The Holy Face of Jesus and was trying to see the face of Jesus in all men. He corrected me and said to, much like yourself, try rather to see all men in Jesus instead of Jesus in all men.

All blessings be upon you dear traveler -

Zac
 
‘At this point in my journey I suppose I’d have to answer I’m drawn to “His Thirst” (as revealed to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque and St. Therese):
Quote:
Behold the Heart which has so loved men that it has spared nothing, even to exhausting and consuming Itself, in order to testify Its love; and in return, I receive from the greater part only ingratitude, by their irreverence and sacrilege, and by the coldness and contempt they have for Me in this Sacrament of Love.’

This is true. How could you not fall in love with someone who saved your life (in every way possible) by giving theirs via horrible suffering? There’s only one Person who’s done that. And every time we receive the Eucharist, we receive the benefits. It doesn’t get much more Personal. Whatever you need…
:love:
 
I’d love to fall in love with Christ.

Hard to do so when he won’t talk to me.
 
That’s why how we act is so important. “They will know we are Christians by our love.” If we don’t love, then there is no hope for us to personally convince others of Christ’s greatness, as they will see him in a distorted fashion. Once that happens the only way for them to be convinced is to sincerely seek the truth–and most people won’t do that unless it lands right in front of their face since it is such a difficult path. It’s so important that others can see the beauty of Christian love in real life so they can experience what can be objectively seen in the saints for themselves.
 
Personally I have never been converted by anyone’s nice/lovely behaviour. There are nice people everywhere - of all religions, nationalities, etc. I was converted by what I heard spoken and read about Christ via the gospels and via the Church. Information. and I decided to pray.

But, it is true, you can’t impart a lot of information if you are at war and not speaking. Maybe just offer prayers then. :signofcross:
 
Mary the Immaculata is the chief visible manifestation of the Holy Spirit’s presence in the Church, and the universal instrument of the Spirit’s mission to unite all men to Christ our Savior.
The Holy Spirit lives in the soul of the Immaculata, in the depths of her very being. He makes her fruitful, from the very first instant of her existence, all during her life, and for all eternity.
 
He that is forgiven much, loves much: Jesus speaking about Mary Magdalene a woman liberated from 7 devils. When one hits bottom with no one to help them in their troubles then they experience an encounter with Jesus,and He lifts them out of their troubles they can’t help but love Him, and they want to speak about Him to everyone. this has happened to many people and I am one of them. He can turn a heart of stone into a heart of flesh, a compassionate heart, a loving and understanding heart, a sacrificing heart, a heart like the heart of Jesus Himself. An encounter with Jesus can do all of this, pray for it , work for it, expect it, it’s my belief that Jesus wants to give it to everyone.
 
Just wanted to say that the utube video I was quoting in my post earlier was the song ‘Free’ by Rudimental. There was a great video attached to that song but it appears to have been made private for some unknown reason. It had some members of one direction in it.

Anyway the other videos to the song are okay; the song itself is brilliant!.
 
Vianneyizer said:
… I recall once saying to my priest how I had been doing devotions to The Holy Face of Jesus and was trying to see the face of Jesus in all men. He corrected me and said to, much like yourself, try rather to see all men in Jesus instead of Jesus in all men.

All blessings be upon you dear traveler -

Zac
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I would have to disagree with what the priest has told you. Your original direction is much better. 👍
 
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