Devout Catholics are fighting a loosing battle time for me to opt out.

Mijoy2 · #1 Jun 20, '12, 6:23 am

I supopose I have begun this thread to see if there is anybody who feels as I do. By "devout" (in the title) I refer to Catholics who beleive that the teachings of the church, coming from the magesterium, are inspired teachings from the Holy Spirit, leading us to all truth.

This is not only a teaching not shared by people of other faiths or even other Christians or else they'd all be Catholic. This is a teaching not shared by most Catholics. I, at least, am fighting, and have fought, a loosing battle in this regard.

If you'll allow me; Based on my personal experinece, Catholics can be divided into three distinct groups. These three groups can also be tagged, or weighted in terms of total population of Catholics. I'll tag this in loose terms from most popular to least.

First: Do not know that the Church believes the Truths she holds are directly from God

This group represents greater than 90% of my family members, friends and aquantances that are Catholic. If I were to attempt to explain this teaching it becomes obvious that the individual assumes I am misguided. In other words I am looked at like a Christmas fruitcake. The idea held by the individuals in this group is "He is one of those orthodox niave wackos and we need to change the subject fast".

Second:Know this is the teaching but do not believe it, yet chose to remain Catholic

These people (speaking for most of them not necassarily all) are Catholic because of birth typically, understand this is a teaching of the church but chose to not believe it. In other words, the church is wrong in this regard. She is over-stepping her bounds in this regard. These people do not spend enough time contimplating their faith to see the lack of logic in this way of thinking. I say this because otherwise they'd chose another Christian faith system (and some do)

Third:Know this and believe it.

Chances are this is you. These are the people who drive to and from work everyday listening to EWTN radio (or some local Catholic station) and not pop-rock. Although there are probably thousands (perhaps tens of thousands) of people in these forums now (I don't know the number) and because probably you are one of them, this group in minute; it is tiny in population respectively. Relatively speaking this group is virtually non-existant. Certainly less than 10%, I'd venture to suggest less than 1% of baptised Catholics.

Now before anyone choses to bite my head off over my catagories or numbers, I'll state again, this is my opinion based on my experiences on which I have given a ttremendous amount of thought and study. Your experience may of course, differ.

Why did I begin this thread? Because I am exhausted. I have grown tired of being looked as a loon. I am not one to wear my faith on my sleeve and I do not ever instigate conversation (outside immediate family). However I usually have not backed down from it.

Within my family, because I am to a degree responsisble for their spiritual education, I have instigated converstaion. For the most part is received with a certain degree of respect. However, it also becomes apparent that it is ultimatley disregarded. Again, I believe I am viewed as being mistaken. The Church is afterall, only people, only human.

I am exhausted, frustrated and disturbed by this. I am beginning to wonder myself just how many nuts are in this fruitcake. I question if I am right and everybody I know in my life is wrong. This is a loosing battle and to a large extent, I am quitting. I am laying down my sword. I would prefer to step in the ring with someone then one more time to be looked at like I have lost my marbles and am out-of-touch with reality.

MarcoPolo · #2 Jun 20, '12, 7:18 am

How are you measuring "winning" and "losing"? Should you not measure by whether or not you witnessed for the truth in season and out of season? It can be daunting, I understand. Many devout Catholics feel alien. I think even Scripture says we are aliens in this world, so to speak. Maybe it is just time for you to take a breath from sparring with others over the faith. Take time away, in the desert (metaphorically speaking) as Jesus did. Take time to do daily things, just like Jesus did largely until age 30. You can "sacramentalize" your work environment or your peers simply by doing ordinary things, and not always by refusing to "back down" from instigation as you said. Hang in there.

BRZ · #3 Jun 20, '12, 7:53 am

I know exactly how you feel, I do. I don't know any other person who is a devout Catholic, not that there aren't any, but I am just not close to anyone who is. This does not frustrate me though. It is not our job to convince anyone of the truth. We should only speak it and show it. If others choose to follow or believe or ask for more information, that is completely up to them.

This shouldn't surprise you either. This is exactly what you should have expected as a Catholic. It is easy to lose your way and evil is everywhere, but you should never lose hope. You never know how you might touch someone's life and who might change because of your actions. Just be that light in the darkness and pray.

TimothyH · #4 Jun 20, '12, 7:57 am

With all due respect Mijoy2, I think it would be good for you to put down the sword and step out of the ring. Other humans beings, and other Catholics are not people with whom we do battle with swords of words, nor people with whom we have spiritual boxing matches. You are trying to convert the world, and to do battle with 99% of Catholics out there. No wonder you are exhausted.

You will attract people in droves if you put on Christ and live a life of virtue, kindness, compassion, calmness, peace and prayer. Then people will want to be around you, and will want to be like you.

How pleasing the souls of 99% of Catholics out there are to God is none of our business, and we have no idea what God will do in those people's lives tomorrow. How devout the rest of the world is is not our responsiblity.

-Tim-

SMOM · #5 Jun 20, '12, 7:58 am

I recall Jesus saying "feed my sheep".

I don't recall him ever telling us to "count my sheep"

The numbers are irrelevant.

Neofight · #6 Jun 20, '12, 8:03 am

Peace never came to me until I put the gospel first; living it and not just becoming academically attached to it.

The same is true of other elements of the faith we call Catholicism. If we make all the doctrines and dogmas the primary focus of our relationship with God, we are apt to miss the intent and even the definition of perfection that we should be seeking.

I pray that you find peace.

Ubenedictus · #7 Jun 20, '12, 8:44 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neofight

Peace never came to me until I put the gospel first; living it and not just becoming academically attached to it.

The same is true of other elements of the faith we call Catholicism. If we make all the doctrines and dogmas the primary focus of our relationship with God, we are apt to miss the intent and even the definition of perfection that we should be seeking.

I pray that you find peace.

if i was the pope, i would have made you the papal household preacher. It is also true, feed my sheep not count them. Live out those dogmas and find peace within.
Peace friend.
Ubenedictus

bilop · #8 Jun 20, '12, 8:47 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mijoy2

I supopose I have begun this thread to see if there is anybody who feels as I do. By "devout" (in the title) I refer to Catholics who beleive that the teachings of the church, coming from the magesterium, are inspired teachings from the Holy Spirit, leading us to all truth.

This is not only a teaching not shared by people of other faiths or even other Christians or else they'd all be Catholic. This is a teaching not shared by most Catholics. I, at least, am fighting, and have fought, a loosing battle in this regard.

If you'll allow me; Based on my personal experinece, Catholics can be divided into three distinct groups. These three groups can also be tagged, or weighted in terms of total population of Catholics. I'll tag this in loose terms from most popular to least.

First: Do not know that the Church believes the Truths she holds are directly from God

This group represents greater than 90% of my family members, friends and aquantances that are Catholic. If I were to attempt to explain this teaching it becomes obvious that the individual assumes I am misguided. In other words I am looked at like a Christmas fruitcake. The idea held by the individuals in this group is "He is one of those orthodox niave wackos and we need to change the subject fast".

Second:Know this is the teaching but do not believe it, yet chose to remain Catholic

These people (speaking for most of them not necassarily all) are Catholic because of birth typically, understand this is a teaching of the church but chose to not believe it. In other words, the church is wrong in this regard. She is over-stepping her bounds in this regard. These people do not spend enough time contimplating their faith to see the lack of logic in this way of thinking. I say this because otherwise they'd chose another Christian faith system (and some do)

Third:Know this and believe it.

Chances are this is you. These are the people who drive to and from work everyday listening to EWTN radio (or some local Catholic station) and not pop-rock. Although there are probably thousands (perhaps tens of thousands) of people in these forums now (I don't know the number) and because probably you are one of them, this group in minute; it is tiny in population respectively. Relatively speaking this group is virtually non-existant. Certainly less than 10%, I'd venture to suggest less than 1% of baptised Catholics.

Now before anyone choses to bite my head off over my catagories or numbers, I'll state again, this is my opinion based on my experiences on which I have given a ttremendous amount of thought and study. Your experience may of course, differ.

Why did I begin this thread? Because I am exhausted. I have grown tired of being looked as a loon. I am not one to wear my faith on my sleeve and I do not ever instigate conversation (outside immediate family). However I usually have not backed down from it.

Within my family, because I am to a degree responsisble for their spiritual education, I have instigated converstaion. For the most part is received with a certain degree of respect. However, it also becomes apparent that it is ultimatley disregarded. Again, I believe I am viewed as being mistaken. The Church is afterall, only people, only human.

I am exhausted, frustrated and disturbed by this. I am beginning to wonder myself just how many nuts are in this fruitcake. I question if I am right and everybody I know in my life is wrong. This is a loosing battle and to a large extent, I am quitting. I am laying down my sword. I would prefer to step in the ring with someone then one more time to be looked at like I have lost my marbles and am out-of-touch with reality.

If you are living a life in conformity with the moral laws of the Church, you are not losing.

If you perserve until the end, and achieve salvation, you will have won, even if 99.9% of all the people you know end up in Hell.

If by your witness you save even one other soul from damnation, there will be great rejoicing in Heaven.

Don't lose faith.

God Bless

Robertanthony · #9 Jun 20, '12, 9:23 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mijoy2

I supopose I have begun this thread to see if there is anybody who feels as I do. By "devout" (in the title) I refer to Catholics who beleive that the teachings of the church, coming from the magesterium, are inspired teachings from the Holy Spirit, leading us to all truth.

This is not only a teaching not shared by people of other faiths or even other Christians or else they'd all be Catholic. This is a teaching not shared by most Catholics. I, at least, am fighting, and have fought, a loosing battle in this regard.

If you'll allow me; Based on my personal experinece, Catholics can be divided into three distinct groups. These three groups can also be tagged, or weighted in terms of total population of Catholics. I'll tag this in loose terms from most popular to least.

First: Do not know that the Church believes the Truths she holds are directly from God

This group represents greater than 90% of my family members, friends and aquantances that are Catholic. If I were to attempt to explain this teaching it becomes obvious that the individual assumes I am misguided. In other words I am looked at like a Christmas fruitcake. The idea held by the individuals in this group is "He is one of those orthodox niave wackos and we need to change the subject fast".

Second:Know this is the teaching but do not believe it, yet chose to remain Catholic

These people (speaking for most of them not necassarily all) are Catholic because of birth typically, understand this is a teaching of the church but chose to not believe it. In other words, the church is wrong in this regard. She is over-stepping her bounds in this regard. These people do not spend enough time contimplating their faith to see the lack of logic in this way of thinking. I say this because otherwise they'd chose another Christian faith system (and some do)

Third:Know this and believe it.

Chances are this is you. These are the people who drive to and from work everyday listening to EWTN radio (or some local Catholic station) and not pop-rock. Although there are probably thousands (perhaps tens of thousands) of people in these forums now (I don't know the number) and because probably you are one of them, this group in minute; it is tiny in population respectively. Relatively speaking this group is virtually non-existant. Certainly less than 10%, I'd venture to suggest less than 1% of baptised Catholics.

Now before anyone choses to bite my head off over my catagories or numbers, I'll state again, this is my opinion based on my experiences on which I have given a ttremendous amount of thought and study. Your experience may of course, differ.

Why did I begin this thread? Because I am exhausted. I have grown tired of being looked as a loon. I am not one to wear my faith on my sleeve and I do not ever instigate conversation (outside immediate family). However I usually have not backed down from it.

Within my family, because I am to a degree responsisble for their spiritual education, I have instigated converstaion. For the most part is received with a certain degree of respect. However, it also becomes apparent that it is ultimatley disregarded. Again, I believe I am viewed as being mistaken. The Church is afterall, only people, only human.

I am exhausted, frustrated and disturbed by this. I am beginning to wonder myself just how many nuts are in this fruitcake. I question if I am right and everybody I know in my life is wrong. This is a loosing battle and to a large extent, I am quitting. I am laying down my sword. I would prefer to step in the ring with someone then one more time to be looked at like I have lost my marbles and am out-of-touch with reality.

Perhaps you've put on a cloak that isn't yours to put on. Maybe the best way to convert people is to be a model and not to preach, which can turn people off. What people do afterwards shouldn't concern you. When Cardinal Marc Ouellet was Archbishop here, there was an interview with him in a newspaper. Essentially, he is very respectful of people's freedom and free-will: (paraphrasing) He said his job was to preach the Gospel with no compromise and that people are free to accept 100%, 90% or even 50% of what he's preaching. He's not going around hitting people on the heads with a Bible, but he'll never compromise with the truth. Perhaps there was never a time when being Catholic was easy but now is certainly not the best period for that. I for one like a choir not singing out of tune, it sometimes annoys me here on CAF when I see Christians or Catholics saying, for instance, that homosexual parenthood is an acceptable alternative etc. In every faithful Catholic today, there is a Jeremiah agonizing over how ill-received his words of eternal truths are.

PennyinCanada · #10 Jun 20, '12, 9:25 am

Of course you are exhausted!
Time to step back, take a break, and renew yourself. "Be still and know that I am God". Hand them over to God, and let God know you're ready to defend the faith, if someone asks you a question.

Love them and be kind to them. There will be people like you in your parish that will refresh your soul. If you can, try to spend some time with them. I find that in our city, the home schooling folks are pretty special and are doing their best to bring the Catholic faith alive in their home, and it's costing them something to be faithful. They are living waters for me when I'm tired.

Hugs to you.

Boulder257 · #11 Jun 20, '12, 9:29 am

•Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Be strong in your faith my friend and by no means do you have to pick every batte. Living your faith will be the greatest testimony you can provide. While you may feel weak that does not mean you should give up. It may mean you need to change your strategy, your outlook, your behavior, or your attitude. Or, it could just mean you need a rest. Regardless, it does not mean that just because you believe you are "losing" you should "opt out."

Boulder257 · #12 Jun 20, '12, 9:30 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by PennyinCanada

Of course you are exhausted!
Time to step back, take a break, and renew yourself. "Be still and know that I am God". Hand them over to God, and let God know you're ready to defend the faith, if someone asks you a question.

Love them and be kind to them. There will be people like you in your parish that will refresh your soul. If you can, try to spend some time with them. I find that in our city, the home schooling folks are pretty special and are doing their best to bring the Catholic faith alive in their home, and it's costing them something to be faithful. They are living waters for me when I'm tired.

Hugs to you.

Neofight · #13 Jun 20, '12, 9:31 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ubenedictus

if i was the pope, i would have made you the papal household preacher. It is also true, feed my sheep not count them. Live out those dogmas and find peace within.
Peace friend.
Ubenedictus

Wow, what a nice thing to say. But, I boast in the glory of Jesus!

And to you, peace also, friend!

Ben F · #14 Jun 20, '12, 9:35 am

You have no idea, of how great a work you are doing for the Lord. The Devil likes this. When you get your reward, then you will say, yes, the frustration was worth it. Preservere.God bless

John of Woking · #15 Jun 20, '12, 9:48 am

I am 'in that ring too'. Taking a pounding from the violent blows rained down upon me by the, all too often unwitting, agents of Satan. Satan is going crazy. His time is short. He is attacking the morals and dogmas of Holy Mother Church. It hurts me so much to see my Mother insulted so much.

I advise you gently meditate on the Sacred Heart of Jesus. You need to feel loved at this moment. Remember also our Blessed Mother, ask her to wrap you in her mantle. Ask her for respite or at least to dispense the graces required to cope with the day to day drudgery/assaults.

Finally visit the Sacraments often : I am sure you do
. Battle lies ahead but you are NOT alone. You have the Mystical Body of Christ in that ring with you, supporting you.

Oremus pro invicem