CAF Misfits

tierney – those are good questions meant to steer the asker into a deeper introspection on what it is they are actually doing. These kinds of questions are designed to bring about some self doubt. These kinds of examination of conscience questions aid us in our walk with Christ. Enjoying the various aspects of the questions does not equate with replacing God with the tools to draw close to him. Let’s say you’re a car mechanic. You love cars you love working on them. You have your favorite tool set that you always use to tune up your hot rod. The feeling you get working on it is very fulfilling. But that feeling Is nothing compared to actually racing it after you’ve worked on it. Same thing here – bible study is great but all that study is nothing compared to meeting the One who authored our faith face to face.

Here’s one of my own personal questions like this: Am I more upset at the action of someone would take and destroy a rosary out of someone’s hand that is praying in front of an abortion clinic than I am upset that that person is so lost that they would behave in this manner. Where is my focus; is it on the corporeal (the object of the rosary) or on the spiritual (the souls of the lost)?

Does anyone else question their motives for desiring a close relationship with God? I go through so many periods of feeling I am not really surrendering to God (dying to self). It is coming to my mind that maybe my motives for wanting a life of faith are more for my benefit than for God's and that is why I can't quite get over the hump. Maybe following a religion just suits my personality (being sort of passive and letting God handle things, giving advice to to others on what I have learned and even if that helps them, it's for my ego, too.) A phrase I read today prompted this question to me.....am I depending on my faith in my faith rather than faith in my God? Am I worshiping my prayer time, confession, bible study, good works instead of worshiping God?

Among Strangers - Thank you so much, thank you, just thank you for getting it, what a breath of fresh air!!! I secretly thought in the back of my mind when I discovered this group, that it was created just for me since they knew I would fit right in, lol.

Don't sweat the misfit chicken persona, it's humorous non the less.

nancy dalrymple - I was told that partaking of his blood was just an extra, you are fine with the body and considered itself within fullness, and will let someone more learned then myself to explain that further. I was raised without the cup in our church, coming back to mass, having it there, I was rather delighted, I did take advantage of it only a few times entirely due to sanitation reasons. When I attended with the Lutherans, they had it in paper cups, probably a more sanitary way to do it, but what to do with the residue afterwards, lol.

The real factor to consider, at least for the Catholics has to do with Confession, having confessed yet remaining unrepentant in your heart, you are in err with participation of the Eucharist.

Nancy There is no need to take the Cup if you don't feel right doing so. You have great faith to know you recieve both under any species. Welcome to the misfits.

MamaLlama We did that once, only ours was because of daylight savings. We got to mass, we THOUGHT, early and they were in the middle of communion. I was so mortified I walked out, then got outside, turned my cell phone back on and realized the time had changed. Where we used to live, the time didn't change ever until just a couple years ago. So we are new at this.

Luckily there is a parish about 35 mins away that had evening mass. But I know not everywhere has those.

Just totally lost what i was writing.. arrgh

I'll try again because it's funny in the grand scheme of things. My kids and I missed church yesterday because I had the Mass time wrong, and it was the last Mass of the day. Sigh. For some unknown reason I was absolutely convinced that Mass was at 12:30, had been at 12:30 and someone changed it just to mess with my head. I must have been remembering the time Mass usally lets out instead of started. But I was so convinced that my memory was right that I called the church this morning and asked if the 11:30 Mass had ever been at 12:30. Not in the 8 years she had been there she said. So it's just my screwy head.
Probably doesn't help that because of my work schedule sometimes we go to St. Joe's and sometimes St. Mary's, sometime Saturday vigil Mass sometimes Sunday midday Mass. I refuse to set my alarm clock on Sunday so earlier Masses don't happen. My head is still baffled though.

Thanks Among Strangers! I actually found it in the the assortment that CA offers in the avatar section. I don't think I'd be able to find/upload something like that myself.

Sorry that your kiddo was acting up, and is not feeling well.

It's funny that people usually associate me being more contemplative/prayerful at a church because we don't have kids. Actually the opposite is true, I spend most of mass trying NOT to think of all the babies and kids around me. We have a mostly young family parish, with lots of pregnant mothers, babies and kids, certainly not at all an easy thing to do. Far from contemplative. But still a lovely feast day anyways.

Among Strangers: Love your great new avatar!!!! It's so you!!!! I don't know anything about pipe smoking though--I hope it isn't bad for your health. Pipes look cool, though!

Well I see by the 167 little black pipes that I have been Bogarting the board this morning. So I'm off to do some work. I hope all of you misfits have a great misfitted day. And may your misfittedness bring you more into the warmth and truth that is the light of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. Be unified in Him, my friends.

Yes! My Chacom avatar is an instant sucess. I tell ya what that little hunk of briar is a beaut!