Why Should I be a Catholic?

[po18guy]

I still have to fight back the tears everytime I go to Mass.

I stopped fighting them. If I cry at a funeral, I had certainly better cry while standing at the foot of the cross! But, our tears of sorrow become the promised tears of joy as we taste life in the Holy Eucharist.

But, I do know what Mystic Banana is talking about - the true faith is one of denial of the self and the taking up of one’s cross. As compared to the average “bible” faith, it demands discipline and sacrifice. One must be dedicated in order to follow our Lord’s difficult path.

Christ’s peace.

 

[pablope]

I’m not asking you to convince me to be a Catholic, although I’m thoroughly interested in investigating and possibly joining the Church. I’m definitely interested in learning as much as I can, that’s for sure. Is the Church really as historically documented as some say? I mean if there are documents that go all the way back to before 100 AD then why aren’t more people apart of this Church? I don’t know… just some thoughts racing through my head right now.

Here is something you can put on a CD or ipod and listen at your leisure.

bringyou.to/apologetics/audio.htm#EWTN

 

[Mystic_Banana]

I don’t know what you are talking about. I never think about it in terms of easy. I think of it in terms of Love, Beauty, Wisdom and salvation.

I still have to fight back the tears everytime I go to Mass.

Perhaps you are talking about the attacks that we encounter all the time?

I was talking to the original guy! Catholicism is not an easy religion, especially in the modern world, the ‘morality’ of which often appears in bitter contrast to Catholicism.

Tears of sorrow, or joy?

I’d say so

 

[thequeen]

I would say it’s at least as well documented, and probably moreso than any institution during this period.

For those you want to go their own way, no amount of documentation will sway them from their course.

If you want to get to heaven, you should want the greatest aids to help you get there. The Church teaches the Truth (Jesus) and has the sacraments which supply the grace needed to follow Jesus on the Way to heaven.

great quote davidv I couldn’t of said it any better!!!

 

[bluelake]

I’m not asking you to convince me to be a Catholic, although I’m thoroughly interested in investigating and possibly joining the Church. I’m definitely interested in learning as much as I can, that’s for sure. Is the Church really as historically documented as some say? I mean if there are documents that go all the way back to before 100 AD then why aren’t more people apart of this Church? I don’t know… just some thoughts racing through my head right now.

Love for God brings us close to God, Not documents.
What are you searching for?
If you want to be a christian attend church and see what happens. Pray about it. Everyday!

God bless you,
bluelake

 

[bluelake]

I was talking to the original guy! Catholicism is not an easy religion, especially in the modern world, the ‘morality’ of which often appears in bitter contrast to Catholicism.

Tears of sorrow, or joy?

I’d say so

When we come to the Lord and decide to follow Him, it isn’t an easy path.
Please read PS.139:The entire chapter. It will help .

God bless you,
bluelake

btw, He has chosen us.

 

[RosaryFan]

I think that one should be convinced that something is true without any emotional persuasion whatsoever. Sure, if one is a Christian or a Catholic if they are saved they will feel conviction for their sins and they will feel in tune with God when they pray and such, but if someone is not a believer these things don’t quite make sense and in no way does it aid them in becoming a Christian. Personally I’ve never looked into the Catholic Church until now, but if it is as well documented as some say, and if Peter was really the first Pope and if Christ was the one that established it and it can be proven from history then it definitely seems like it would prove itself that way in the very least.

Dear JordanWoods, one can never “convince” someone to love them. The Catholic faith is just that - FAITH. God calls every human being into a personal relationship with Him. This cannot happen through the convincing of others. Jesus proves His infinite love for us by becoming one of us and taking on sin for our sake. Since God is the furthest possible thing from sin, this was the sacrifice of all sacrifices, and it was done out of love for us. Another thing Christ did while He walked among us was to establish His Church (His Bride) and the sacraments which supply the graces necessary for our journey. Since the Catholic Church has apostolic succession which can be traced all the way back to Peter, our first Pope, then it is the one and only Church which was established by Christ, and is, therefore, the fullness of the truth. Since Christ Himself is truth, that it also what His Church is - the fullness of the truth. And although other denominations have some truth, they do not have it all. Only the Catholic Church has it all.

So you should enter the Church out of love for God and His truth. This truth is something you must seek out yourself and be convinced by your own beliefs. The normal means would be by prayer. Ask God to guide you, fill you with His Holy Spirit, and enlighten you to the truth. How on earth would someone else (most especially an anonymous person on a web forum) be able to convince you of something so important?

 

[JordanWoods]

Dear JordanWoods, one can never “convince” someone to love them. The Catholic faith is just that - FAITH. God calls every human being into a personal relationship with Him. This cannot happen through the convincing of others. Jesus proves His infinite love for us by becoming one of us and taking on sin for our sake. Since God is the furthest possible thing from sin, this was the sacrifice of all sacrifices, and it was done out of love for us. Another thing Christ did while He walked among us was to establish His Church (His Bride) and the sacraments which supply the graces necessary for our journey. Since the Catholic Church has apostolic succession which can be traced all the way back to Peter, our first Pope, then it is the one and only Church which was established by Christ, and is, therefore, the fullness of the truth. Since Christ Himself is truth, that it also what His Church is - the fullness of the truth. And although other denominations have some truth, they do not have it all. Only the Catholic Church has it all.

So you should enter the Church out of love for God and His truth. This truth is something you must seek out yourself and be convinced by your own beliefs. The normal means would be by prayer. Ask God to guide you, fill you with His Holy Spirit, and enlighten you to the truth. How on earth would someone else (most especially an anonymous person on a web forum) be able to convince you of something so important?

Thanks for your reply. I do believe that prayer is important and faith is very important as well, but there’s a lot of people that can’t exactly just have faith without having something to back it up, if you understand what I’m saying. There is tons of historical evidence to back up the Catholic Church being true and being the only True Church… now will that convince everybody that it is true? Absolutely not, but for some, it definitely helps.

 

[RosaryFan]

Thanks for your reply. I do believe that prayer is important and faith is very important as well, but there’s a lot of people that can’t exactly just have faith without having something to back it up, if you understand what I’m saying. There is tons of historical evidence to back up the Catholic Church being true and being the only True Church… now will that convince everybody that it is true? Absolutely not, but for some, it definitely helps.

Sure, the Catholic Church certainly does have some historical proof, but not everyithing in the Church can be proven historically. The Bible is really not a history book. It’s what God has chosen to reveal to us, that which is necessary for our salvation. Some things have to be believed with faith alone. Especially faith that the Holy Spirit is guiding our teaching authority.

 

[Mystic_Banana]

When we come to the Lord and decide to follow Him, it isn’t an easy path.
Please read PS.139:The entire chapter. It will help .

God bless you,
bluelake

btw, He has chosen us.

Cheers bluelake, that’s a lively passage!

In return, I’d recommend this:

youtube.com/watch?v=GUk1MbKTms0

God bless

 

[Ignatius]

I’m not asking you to convince me to be a Catholic, although I’m thoroughly interested in investigating and possibly joining the Church. I’m definitely interested in learning as much as I can, that’s for sure. Is the Church really as historically documented as some say? I mean if there are documents that go all the way back to before 100 AD then why aren’t more people apart of this Church?

Because to do so you must take up your cross daily and follow Christ. It is not easy to walk in His steps and being a Faithful Catholic means giving yourself away to follow Christ. A lot of people are so attached to the things of this world that they don’t want to give them up.

 

[bluelake]

I’m not asking you to convince me to be a Catholic, although I’m thoroughly interested in investigating and possibly joining the Church. I’m definitely interested in learning as much as I can, that’s for sure. Is the Church really as historically documented as some say? I mean if there are documents that go all the way back to before 100 AD then why aren’t more people apart of this Church? I don’t know… just some thoughts racing through my head right now.

jordan,
The most important reason to join any christian church is to have a relationship with our Savior, Jesus Christ.
Jesus took our sins to the cross. He died for you and me.
Please read Jn.3:16.

God bless,
bluelake

 

[bluelake]

I would say it’s at least as well documented, and probably moreso than any institution during this period.

For those you want to go their own way, no amount of documentation will sway them from their course.

If you want to get to heaven, you should want the greatest aids to help you get there. The Church teaches the Truth (Jesus) and has the sacraments which supply the grace needed to follow Jesus on the Way to heaven.

I think Jordon is loking for proof.
We all come to God by faith. See Eph.2;8-9

bluelake

 

[bluelake]

Thanks for your reply. I do believe that prayer is important and faith is very important as well, but there’s a lot of people that can’t exactly just have faith without having something to back it up, if you understand what I’m saying. There is tons of historical evidence to back up the Catholic Church being true and being the only True Church… now will that convince everybody that it is true? Absolutely not, but for some, it definitely helps.

The person you should be asking for help is Jesus.
Try praying to Him and see what happens.
See Rom.5: 1-11
Talk to a pastor or priest.
We all walk by faith, not proof.

God bless,
bluelake

 

[bluelake]

I’m not asking you to convince me to be a Catholic, although I’m thoroughly interested in investigating and possibly joining the Church. I’m definitely interested in learning as much as I can, that’s for sure. Is the Church really as historically documented as some say? I mean if there are documents that go all the way back to before 100 AD then why aren’t more people apart of this Church? I don’t know… just some thoughts racing through my head right now.

hi JORAN,
We all walk by faith. You will find Jesus , our Savior in almost all Christian churches.
We are saved by grace, through faith.
So join a church, see what happens.
Pray about it first. I’ll pray for you too.

God bless you,
bluelake

 

[babylonsfalling]

I’m not asking you to convince me to be a Catholic, although I’m thoroughly interested in investigating and possibly joining the Church. I’m definitely interested in learning as much as I can, that’s for sure. Is the Church really as historically documented as some say? I mean if there are documents that go all the way back to before 100 AD then why aren’t more people apart of this Church? I don’t know… just some thoughts racing through my head right now.

Well…

As of the early 21st century, Christianity has around 2.2 billion adherents.[1][2][3] The faith represents about a quarter to a third of the world’s population and is the largest religion in the world, with approximately 38,000 Christian denominations.[4] Christians have composed about 33 percent of the world’s population for around 100 years. The largest Christian denomination is the Roman Catholic Church, with 1.166 billion adherents, representing half of all Christians

The Catholic Church is bigger than all other denominations combined, so the notion that it’s not big enough doesn’t really work.

Size is not a reason to join anyway. You join if you believe in Catholic theology, not because a huge number of other people believe in Catholic theology.

What I think is better about the Catholic Church…

What’s best about the Church in my opinion is that it’s the most prayerful church I’ve been to, and it has a more properly humble disposition toward God.

The non Catholic churches I’ve been in are basically music first, short prayer, Bible reading with Bible study/sermon, then short prayer again and music on your way out the door, communion once per month.

The Catholic Church has a lot more prayer, confession of sins, more than one Bible reading, a little bit shorter sermon, and a much more reverent communion EVERY service, not once per month.

Catholics are more conscious of sin and at least try harder NOT to sin. I’ve heard non-Catholics say in regard to their sin, “it doesn’t matter because I’m already forgiven” which is a really crummy thing to say. I’ve never heard a Catholic say anything like that and I doubt that I ever will.

 

[novusCatholic]

Hello Jordan,

… if one is a Christian or a Catholic…

Catholicism IS Christianity. There is no “or”.

I think that one should be convinced that something is true without any emotional persuasion whatsoever…

In John 6:44, Jesus said, “For no one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them to me…” So, pursue the evidence intellectually, but also pray that God will reveal his truths to you.

Personally I’ve never looked into the Catholic Church until now, but if it is as well documented as some say, and if Peter was really the first Pope and if Christ was the one that established it and it can be proven from history then it definitely seems like it would prove itself that way in the very least.

When I first began to consider the Catholic Church, I absorbed as much information as I could. Writings from the Church Fathers really opened my eyes. In today’s Catholic Church, I can see the teachings and practices of the earliest Christians. The Catholic Church can trace its origins back to the Apostles, while Protestant churches did not begin to form until the 1500’s.

You seem to making a genuine effort in your search. I believe that you will be rewarded for it. Continue to learn and pray. And pray. And pray. And pray…

 

[Hboggs]

I would suggest two things for you to do: (1) buy a copy of THE EXPANDED EDITION OF THE EARLY CHURCH FATHERS (excellent and easy read) and (2) watch JOURNEY HOME on Monday nights. Between the two you will gain a wealth of information.

God bless you on your search…

 

[vince2paul]

A reason why many people aren’t Catholic although they know it’s the one, true Church is because those people aren’t looking for the Truth.

I have a relative who is now a protestant convert, he knew that the Catholic Church is the fullness of Truth, but he is more happy there because he could contribute to the church (he play bass guitar for Sunday worship). He was ridiculed when he was an altar server because he was clumsy and his fellow server made fun of him, even the priest.

So yes, not everyone is looking for the Truth, some is just looking for sense of belonging/communities.