What Catholicism seems to be missing

[Truth_Faith13]

I find myself in a little bit of a dilemma… You see, I am a recent convert from Protestantism. I converted and was baptized and confirmed last may. So I freely admit that my views in this post could easily be skewed by the simple fact that I don’t have much experience in the CC.

First of all, I love the Catholic Church. It is absolutely beautiful, the liturgy is amazing. I spent the time in mass yesterday finding myself wiping tears from my eyes, simply struck by the presence of God and the beauty of The Church, ( along with the reality of my own sin and feeling unworthy yet grateful to be there. )
Yet, I can’t help but feel something is missing… Something that belongs and yet isn’t there. At least in the few parishes that I frequent. Yet, from listening to Catholic radio ( XM and AM ) I feel like it must be Church wide. What is it ? Passionate preaching of the gospel… Where is it ? Every single time I go to Mass, regardless of the parish, when it comes time for the homily, the priest pulls out his pre-written sermon and reads word for word… This week it was an essay on why the death penalty is wrong. Seriously ? How DRY !!!

Now obviously Protestantism is missing its share of truth… Or I wouldn’t have left it. But let me tell you one thing many of them get right: their passionate preaching of the gospel ( as they see it ) and their love for the lost, which is why they just can’t stop preaching it.

I just don’t get it. There is a certain percentage of people occupying those parish pews that are lost ! Some of which are cradle “Catholics” ! And we are listening to a homily on political issues ? Who cares ?!
I feel the same way EVERY time I turn on Catholic radio, with the exception to catholic answers. If I turn on the radio, I promise you there is an 80-90 percent chance they are talking about either abortion, contraception or marriage. All day every day… All while countless ppl within the listening area are dying without knowing our Lord. It just drives me nuts !
When I listen to Protestant pastors on YouTube, such as Francis Chan, etc. it is like rain in the desert… Absolutely refreshing! Just listen to one of his sermons and see if you disagree… Try Lukewarm and loving it… m.youtube.com/watch?v=z227Trx0r3w
Now obviously me and these ppl would disagree on some theological points, but they love God in an intense way, and they are our brothers and sisters in Christ… And quite frankly most Catholics could learn something from them.

Anyway, I guess I’m just ranting. I could go on and on about this… But for now I’ll wait for some responses.
Take it easy on me

Edited to remove the word " c-r-a-p ", as it showed up as **** and looked bad.

I think it depends on who is talking and I would imagine this is the same in Protestant & Catholic Churches. The few homilies I’ve heard, I’ve listened to every word. I’ve attempted to listen to many Protestants sermons of 45mins where they go on and on about “their opinion” and I’ve zoned out.

I think the difference is that the Catholic Church doesn’t need a “let’s explain the bible” sermon, as it has the catechism etc. Protestant churches don’t have that and each one believes something different. I’ve attended an evangelical church for 3 years and apart from being sola Scriptura etc I have no idea what the church beliefs are…it’s not on the internet either.

 

[Cricket2]

Seriously, to everyone who has replied along the lines of the Mass being for the Christians to worship Christ and be fed… When do we fulfill the great commission ? Who is preaching the gospel to the lost ?

I mean, you all have some good points. And I see now that perhaps the Catholic assumes most people attending Mass are already members of the Church. Okay, great. Now what ?

During all Masses we are told “to go out to all the world and spread the good news.” We are advised how to live our lives, we are told the truth about God and we are expected to live it. Living the Faith in earnest will always do more to bring others to God than exciting and articulate homilies and speeches.

Ultimately people are looking for the truth. The truth can be ugly sometimes, but it is the truth. Confronting a person for being a liar may not be easy and may be painful but it is better for them than accepting the lies. Telling someone they are too aggressive, or that they are being selfish, talk too much, or that a behavior is wrong may never be easy, but if it is true doing so will serve them more than looking the other way or trying “white wash” what is going on.

I’ll say it again, I would rather listen to some poor soul with a stutter and a monotone voice tell me the truth on the Altar of God, than listen to a very articulate, but dishonest speaker. The first may be hard to put up with, but at least I will go away with the truth versus a lie and deception.

 

[Amandil]

I preach the gospel as often as possible, to both protestants and atheists. I’ve seen itinerant Catholic priests preaching on street corners.

Maybe I’m a bit spoiled because I live in a town that was traditionally known as “the Rome of the west.” Maybe my perspective is a little off because there is such a strong Catholic presence here.

But frankly from where I’m standing at least, the Gospel is being preached, in both word and deed.

That’s not to say that there isn’t much room for improvement, but if you see it to be otherwise, talk to your priest.

Or heck, write to your bishop. If you have suggestions I’m sure he’ll be happy to hear them. Or he may already have programs in place which you may not have known about.

Turn whatever you’re thinking into action.

 

[Karen107]

When heaven comes to earth in the Mass as it does every time at the Eucharistic meal why would any Catholic who knows Christ is truly present there want to go anywhere else? For a Protestant sermon. All the great sermons every made pale in comparison to receiving the Lord in the Eucharist. Just saying.

While talking about eternal life in a bible study class and seeing Johns gospel in a new light I can only say…Amen!

 

[Goya]

The tone of your posts point to the opinion that Catholics don’t “get it” when it comes to our salvation. That we need to “hear the gospel” hammered into our thick skulls every Sunday, because we just don’t understand what Jesus did for us. Also, I’m sorry about the cranky tone of my previous post. It’s just that your questions, although well intended, strike a nerve with me. It’s that old assumption that Catholics need to “hear the gospel” and we aren’t saved because we don’t have a “personal relationship with Jesus”. What B-S-.

That’s about the vibe I got.

 

[YADA]

That’s about the vibe I got.

Me too … do I sense a pattern here

The Christian faith in the Catholic Tradition lacks for nothing. Individually - Catholics like all Christians live that faith … sometimes to exemplary degrees … most very well and some not so much … Life is a journey and we continually grow in faith … struggle with faith …

However, the Liturgies of the Church are a blessing -

The purpose of a homily is not the same as a sermon

Nor is the purpose of the Mass the same as a non-Catholic Service …

The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is to gather and strengthen the family - the family of God and gather for the family meal - the Eucharist - to be fed … fed on the Word of God and the Body and Blood of God …

The Mass is not the time to convert people … the Mass is not the time preach fire and damnation to the aliens, the foreigners to whom we open our doors …

Today, the entire Mass is open to those uninitiated in the Faith … in the early Church - this was not the case … while they could participate in hearing the family stories - they were not allowed to partake of the Body and Blood - until and unless they became unified with us in the Faith …

The time and place for our preaching the Good News of Salvation is in our everyday lives - not by our words [though we may use words in the process] but by our lives - our actions … that is how we win hearts and minds to Christ.

 

[Truth_Faith13]

That’s about the vibe I got.

I would imagine it’s just a case of trying to get used to a completely different form. Protestant churches are more geared towards the unconverted and bringing in the lost sheep, the Eucharist is just a symbol which happens occasionally and you have 45mins of opinion based bible preaching because no one believes the same thing and Noone knows what their church believes.

Catholics is more about feeding the flock, you have the real presence, the catechism with defined church teachings and understanding of the importance of moral issues.

Ones a marketing campaign, the other a one on one with Jesus…

It takes a while to adjust it’s strange to go to mass if you’ve never been to one and the high energy worship services are addictive and hard to forget. They are like a drug in that sense. It’s like asking someone who listens to rock, to listen to classical instead.