why, as a catholic, am i having such a hard time finding my peace with God?
817988
I agree. Mostly. The "new" mass does not lack reverence, it is the priest/and/or/the people that lack it. I have not experienced the old Mass very often because I'm only a teen. It is still the same Mass, the same Church. Please don't be angry.\nI am sure it is hard for you, but please remember that it is still the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. YOU be reverent and set an example.\nThe "old" Mass is no better than the "new," it just fosters more reverence, and that was a good thing. People really ought to try to remember what is really happening at the Mass. It is when the veil between heaven and earth is lifted.\n\nHere is a wonderful definition I thought you'd like. My religion teacher is a Norbertine priest, and he taught this to us.\n\nThe Mass is the sacrifice of Jesus' Body and Blood at Calvary, re-presented under the appearance of bread and wine, offered by Jesus, the Perfect priest, through a priest, in obedience to His father's will, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.\n\nGod Bless you. I'll pray for you!
454144
I was raised a Catholic, which taught me nothing except what I had to fear, what I had to do in order to get to heaven and not hell.  Go to confession regularly.  That was always a nightmare, telling a priest my most personal information.  What bunk!!  God has done nothing for me in this life.  He never took away my pain and misery.  I learned to deal with that on my own.  So why would I need a god?\nGod takes many forms and ideas.  The fact that every nation on this earth has a god of some kind, proves that he does not exist, otherwise we would all believe in the same god.  We create misery and wars in the name of god.  That is supposed to be a good thing?\nI see god in nature all around us, the renewal of life, the oceans, the mountains, the prairies and deserts. And lastly but not least....the devil can be your god, and that is not a good thing......\nBeing a good person is what it is all about!
310879
I am saddened by all the judgment and feel that If Catholics are so bad, then we are you the ones being judge mental!!\n\nTo officially become Catholic, you have to join a program called RCIA. This is a program where you will learn about the faith and be able to ask ANY questions about the faith, your doubts and troubles. \n\nYou have  a sponsor and receive all your sacraments. It is a 2 year program that is designed to prepare you and make you knowledgeable about the faith you are entering.\n\nWho wants to have a religion they know nothing about? I dont!! \n\nLet me know if you have any more questions!\n\nGod bless! You will be in my prayers!\n\nBY THE WAY, PHAB 4, I HAVE NEVER GIVEN MONEY TO MY CHURCH WHEN I DID NOT WANT TO!!!
352899
Are you holding anything back?  God wants you to get real with him.  He knows all about you already, tell him your fears and He WILL comfort and help you.  I have been in your situation.  I have had to learn like others have said, there is not always that magic feeling that we want to feel and that is where faith comes in.  You have to remember, the devil knows all about you also, and he will do everything in his power to make you doubt yourself and most of all doubt God.  Clear your mind and ask God what is going on, He will reveal His path for you.  When I was saved I did feel different, I knew it was real, but the peace and presence of God that He has shared with me came much later after I grew in faith and wanted a real relationship with God not just seeking a feeling.  Keep close to God, find spiritual friends and leaders, and spend time with them each day.  God loves you, He is leading you through this and I have learned those times when I have felt down and out of the loop with God, -if I kept the faith- He always brought me out stronger than before.  Seek Him with all you heart, trust me He WILL answer.
1043944
Yes. I have a very difficult time forgiving myself for many of my shameful actions, even though I've asked the Lord for forgiveness. In fact, some of the things that I regret I still ask forgiveness for, many years later. I know I don't need to, but I just feel so incredibly terrible about those things. I want so badly to be the person that God wants me to be. I want to have Christ-like qualities. It is so hard for me to understand why I can't get there! I struggle almost everyday with self control (especially control over my tongue). I would give pretty much anything to consistently maintain my self control, and yet I can't without God's help. I have found that if I forget to pray before I go to sleep (and thus forget to sincerely ask the Lord to allow His Holy Spirit to be with me every second of the following day to help me with self-control), I have a very hard time the next day. If I do ask, it's so much easier - I mean VASTLY different. I don't know why it seems as though God wants me to request help every night, but I'm sure He has a reason. Probably to get me to rely on Him more. That would be a good reason. When I lose my self-control and yell at my little ones, I feel so much remorse. I'm a stay-at-home mom, so my 4 and 2 year old are the ones who try my patience.  :o)  That is to be expected, and is not their fault (sometimes it is, but not usually)! I want to be a calm and predictable mommy, but it's very hard for me. That's all I have to say, as I am tired now and need sleep.  :o)
371279
I really understand how you're feeling because I have been in similar situations.\nDon't ever let anyone push you into something. The Holy Spirit is not pushy and will not use pressure to get you to do something you're uncomfortable with.\nDo whatever feels right to you, not what people are expecting you to do.\nJust listen to your own heart and let the Holy Spirit guide you, not other people's behavior.\n\nIf you want God to give you the kind of joy, that you see others experiencing, you can ask Him for it. \nDoesn't mean your gonna be laughing or dancing. We're all different and act differently even in church. I'm not the jumping-around type myself and I never will be. I have experienced moments of indescribable joy though.\nGod's joy is available to you and if you want it, all you have to do is ask.
677426
First understand that faith isn't easy.  Every believer at one point or another questions their beliefs.  If you don't like the bureaucracy in the Catholic Church, you may want to try a new denomination.  Try attending a "non-denominational" church. Last I would suggest that you talk with someone in the church about your concerns, they can offer insight and help you with your doubts.  Best of luck and God bless.
1138334
I think you chose a path that was never going to find true success, but you're definitely onto something now.  Material things can't make you happy but there is so much that can.  I've found a strong relationship in Christ, and through him I am able to love and feel with my whole heart.  I can discern between what is worth the precious little time that I have here on the earth and what is not.  You feel such emptiness because you filled your life with things that are fleeting.    Now that you realize this you should search for something lasting.  For me that was Jesus.  You've tried everything else why not try him too.
66191
Maybe everyone's form of prayer is different. I was brought up catholic and was taught a specific way to pray but I've long abandoned that and simply have a one on one with the man upstairs when I'm in a position to fully appreciate the beauty of the creation before me, like when I'm walking in the park and the sun is setting or when the waters of a lake are so still it seems like someone laid a giant mirror on the ground. I also write on my computer and confide to God all the things I would a very close friend. Prayer doesn't have to be on your knees with your hands folded. It can be as simple as a thought. Possibly even an action. I think many people have forgotten to seek God within ourselves rather than extrovertly.
452689
It is hard! Things don't always work out like I want them to! But I pray GOd's will- he knows what is best! I have to just hear him and obey- Life is worth living if I can lead one person to Jesus! I am Blessed! Everyday I live I am Blessed! Bye, Be Blessed! cloeen
333437
God does choose the qualified, he qualifies the chosen.\n\nYou can't expect to slack off and God to get you out of every little bind. You slacked off and now you have to face the concequences...it's not because you haven't been a very good Catholic lately. \n\nGod allows us to be in certain [uncomfortable] circumstances to mold us into the person we need to become, or to bring your attention to certain things (like they fact that you're asking all these things from him, but what are you giving back to him?). \n\nRight now I would think that he's using this Chem class to teach/show you something. One thing may be that you can do this on your own by believing in yourself and finding your own resources. \n\nHe may not always pick you up and dust you off when you've fallen into a hole. Like any father helping their child to grow up to become the best person they can become, sometimes the only way to learn is to let you make your own mistakes and learn from them. \n\nAnyone can tell you how great you are but when you, yourself, overcome something or work through something it helps your confidence, self esteem and trust in yourself.
268867
You are not a homosexual. You are a person who has homosexual tendencies. I am not being picky here. There is much more to being human than any one aspect of ourselves. You ARE a Catholic who has same-sex attractions and your Church is NOT AGAINST YOU.\n\nLike every other human being, you have been blessed with existence—not because you deserve it, but because God in His generosity has given it to you. It is such a basic gift, that most of us ordinarily don’t even think of it as such. But it is. If God wanted to take it back, He would not have to do anything. He would have to STOP doing something. It’s a gift that He keeps giving or we would simply cease to exist. There is no way that we could ever pay Him for this.\n\nSo from the start, we owe Him big time. Now besides this we all have many other gifts as well. Some of us can paint portraits or play the piano. None of us has every gift. Some of the greatest gifts He gives us are the individual crosses that He places in our lives that offer us the opportunity to grow in our love for Him. \n\nSome people carry the cross of not being able to hear or see, while others, the cross of not being able to marry for any number of reasons. One could rant and complain that such is not fair. If God has chosen to create us, then He owes us the basics. At least He owes us a healthy body and psyche! But as we have seen, He doesn’t owe us anything. We owe Him. Further, He has shown us that He really cares about us and loves us with a love that is infinite—it has no limit. This is difficult for us to get our minds around since everything we experience has limits. But on that first Good Friday as He hung on the cross, He gave us a glimpse of what unlimited love is. It is there that we can come to an understanding of the value of our own crosses. They give us the opportunity to respond to such love in a concrete way that is as totally unique as the individual crosses He has given us.\n\nYou have a very special place in the Church. You have been called to have no other partner in life than Him. The world does not understand this. It speaks as if Good Friday never happened. But by the gift of faith that you do have, you know that almighty God chose to favor you with the gift of Himself in a very intimate and unique way. Selfless love is not easy for us, but He is so worth it!\n\nI would suggest that you check out this website: http://couragerc.net/\n\nCheck this website out as well--should this cross of yours be only for a temporary period of time: http://www.narth.com/docs/repair.html\n\nYou are in my prayers.
803979
I got baptized into Catholicism, but not of my own accord.
554029
I go once a month.\n\nSeeing the same priest is a good thing.  He is familiar with your sins and can make the act of contrition better fit your situation.  You can, if you want, go to a different priest as often as you feel you need to, but I like having the same confessor - I think it helps me keep things in check.\n\nMany parish's have the option of using the confessional, or sitting face to face, you can do either one that fits your mood.\n\nFor those that do not believe in Catholic confession, you must understand that the priest is acting in the person of Christ (persona Christi) when he listens to confession.\n\nHe is not forgiving the sin, rather he is there to tell you what you need to do in your life to make the sin "right with God".\n\nIt is a very important Rite in the Catholic Church.  It is also based in scripture, and if you are interested, let me know, I will tell you where to find it.
186226
Kewtasabutton, \nGod Bless you for asking this. So many people are afraid to and then when they do, there are more people afraid to answer.\n\nGod loves you and me just as we are, you remember that. Now that does NOT excuse your sin or mine. But it helps you to understand how much He loves you. \n\nI have been a Christian since 1993. Have I been perfect? NOT ONE SINGLE DAY. I do try not to sin, and I always ask forgiveness for my sins. All sin is the same in God's eyes whether you kill or tell a lie. Sin is judged completely different in man's eye. You can tell a lie and not go to jail, but if you kill you will. \n\nGod says that all men are short of the glory of God. All means all. It means you, me, any preacher, pastor, and the Catholic Pope (I want go into my opinions of that). \n\nThe things that you are struggling with are no match for God. He can conquer all of your sins. The devil is getting you to do all of these things and then running back to God and tattling on you, trying to convince Him that you don't deserve to go to Heaven. But God has already stated that fact about all of us. Sweetheart, as long as you accepted Jesus into your heart, and you are truly asking forgiveness, you will overcome all of these faults. Satan is attacking your morality and your sexuality. He may win several times, but God will let you use this as a testimony one day. \n\nDon't go out and sin all you can, now. You still must do your very best to resist so that God can help you. \n\nGod doesn't expect you to change all at once, He just expects you to have the desire to. And, based on what you are saying, the desire is there, and it WILL happen. It may take a while.\n\nYou are absolutely precious!
935723
Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again-rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.\nDon't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.\nFix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned from me and heard from me and saw me doing, and the God of peace will be with you.\nPhilipians 4:4-9
1101330
Don't feel that way.\nGo to a Christian (not Catholic, they're different) church and ask for help from a pastor.  Pray.  Ask God for strength and help for fixing your home.\nIf you seek Him, He will come to you.