Real Love

[truthbetold]

FYI- I'm a practicing Catholic. (Was educated by the Jesuits...even went to a Catholic university.)

 

Okay, because I am human my first instinct is to say "seriously?" I realize that's not what my Christian faith teaches, hate the sin love the sinner and all of that. I sometimes cannot believe what I read on here on how people believe they are following God's will for their lives by doing destructive things. It is not Christian and it's certainly not Catholic.

 

Instead I will encourage you since you believe that you are practicing, are you really? There are many Catholics who show up at mass, do nice things for others and call it day. They are Catholic in name but not spirit and not in truth. You will know them by their fruits comes to mind.

 

If you are a practicing Catholic then you must uphold the commandments. I'm sure I need not remind you adultery is on that list as well as Jesus teaching it was a sin. He did not say you had to be forever chained by that sin but to repent and sin no more. A practicing Catholic knows this.

 

A practicing Catholic knows we stumble but by the grace of God we go. We can do all through him that strengthens us, by ourselves we are doomed to fail. I am sorry but as a fellow Christian and Catholic, I can't allow you to deceive others nor yourself by saying you practicing your faith. You are falling further away from God believing in the deceptive lies.

 

If you are a practicing Catholic do you believe in the 7 sacraments, confession being one of them? If so, I can't see how you can carry on an affair not to mention the deception in your marriage which is another blessed sacrament.

 

God allows us to be tempted but never beyond our capability and he always provides a window out, if you trust in him. That's what it means to be a practicing Catholic.

 

You don't need to answer here and it's your choice and free will whether you want to give my advice any thought. But I can't watch another Christian stumble and not step up. I cannot let mocking of the Catholic faith go either. Maybe that's why you came to LS. It's not too late to turn this around.

 

Truly I do wish you peace and strength and God's love to lead you back on the path he has planned for you and off of this one leading to destruction. And I will pray for you.

 

I only responded because of what you said. Otherwise I wouldn't have brought that here.

[krazikat]

OP, I think this was a though provoking post, and wanted to thank you for posting it. There is much truth in those words.

Edited January 30, 2014 by a LoveShack.org Moderator

[Kalee35]

Felt the need to share these verses.

 

 

1 Corinthians 13:4-8

 

4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

 

8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.

Edited January 30, 2014 by a LoveShack.org Moderator

[rumbleseat]

Being agnostic, I can't claim to know the ins and outs of the Christian religion, but I do think that whether it is the word of god or not, there are some parts of the bible that make a lot of sense.

 

There are some excellent ideas in it living in a family and society in general.

 

The notion of love mentioned in the passage from the OP, for example. It is not only beautifully worded, but it makes a lot of sense. True love is not common, and it's not measured in terms of "sparks", "electricity", "chemistry" or how many texts a person sends. To use those to define it seems almost like an abomination.

 

True love goes so much deeper, and it's definition is almost impossible to quantify. One thing I do know. It is not built on a foundation of lies and deception. It does not thrive in darkness.

[SugarHibiscus]

I said I was a "practicing" Catholic not a perfect one. God is my judge as He is the only one that can see my heart.

 

I posted about the topic of love to point out that there are many definitions. Just because affair love doesn't conform to the Corinthian version doesn't mean it isn't a type of love. Maybe it's not love, maybe it is...I was looking at the question from a more scholarly perspective. You know, us Catholics are great scholars and scientists.

[SugarHibiscus]

Also thought I would add, that it is my experience that Catholics do not generally refer to themselves as Christian. The word catholic means universal, the one and only true Church. Therefore, if we are to to truly follow the Church's teachings, we don't recognize other forms of Christianity. Martin Luther ring a bell? I did love Trent when I visited. I lived in Rome for several years.

 

Many popes had affairs and illegitimate children. They are the God's appointed emissary, descendants of St. Peter. Are they less Catholic than you? Dogma is the scariest part of any religion, be careful who you judge as "less" Catholic than you or as mocking the Church. Remember, we all go by the grace of God. (This includes ALL of us, even you.)

Edited January 30, 2014 by SugarHibiscus
change my word choice.

[truthbetold]

I said I was a "practicing" Catholic not a perfect one. God is my judge as He is the only one that can see my heart.

 

I posted about the topic of love to point out that there are many definitions. Just because affair love doesn't conform to the Corinthian version doesn't mean it isn't a type of love. Maybe it's not love, maybe it is...I was looking at the question from a more scholarly perspective. You know, us Catholics are great scholars and scientists.

 

Well see I guess that where we differ. That's exactly what it means to me. God created love and God defined marriage.

 

I apologize to you. In re-reading I am coming across very preachy and truly that's not who I am. I have many joyful experiences with people with all sorts of faith walks and do not encounter the misconception that I am better or perfect. None of us are perfect, and by the grace of God we go.

 

In the defense of Catholicism though which you brought into the picture. I did not mean to say I am judging "you". I know God is the supreme authority on that. But I feel for me at the end of time when I need to account for my days, and answer the question, what have you done for my people? I want to know I did my best.

 

That instead of letting a fellow Christian fall further from God, that through his grace, I may have helped bring back a lost sheep. That is what I take to mean glorifying God by my life. That is God's love and love for others. It's what's been placed on my heart. Not everyone has that call and I do understand.

 

I only wanted to help pick you up by God's grace. Because I am taught in my faith we are to help each other when we stumble and fall. I hope I explained that better.

 

You may be an anonymous poster as am I, but you are still a human being likely in pain and confusion or you wouldn't be here doing what you are. But that said it's obvious you and I won't see things the same so instead I will do the one thing I can for you and still pray for your heart to be touched by God's love. Truly SH I wish you peace.

[truthbetold]

Also thought I would add, that it is my experience that Catholics do not generally refer to themselves as Christian. The word catholic means universal, the one and only true Church. Therefore, if we are to to truly follow the Church's teachings, we don't recognize other forms of Christianity. Martin Luther ring a bell? I did love Trent when I visited. I lived in Rome for several years.

 

Many popes had affairs and illegitimate children. They are the God's appointed emissary, descendants of St. Peter. Are they less Catholic than you? Dogma is the scariest part of any religion, be careful who you judge as "less" Catholic than you or as mocking the Church. Remember, we all go by the grace of God. (This includes ALL of us, even you.)

 

SH, I don't generally like to resurrect old threads but I saw this after I had posted my last one and let it go even though it bugged me and now after mass last night, well I'd like to ask you to consider something.

 

Yesterday's homily must have mentioned we are "Christian" at least a dozen if not 20 times. Our church always calls us Christian, it's odd you don't have that experience.

 

It occurred to me, do you belong to a parish that has the Holy Spirit's fire? Because that would explain your experiences and I do understand that. I had in the past had a crisis of faith, I explored other denominations to find out where I was supposed to be. I too was tired of the dry, uninspiring feeling that I got from attending mass. I wanted to be on fire for the Lord.

 

So I went on a search. I'm well aware Catholic means universal. I'm also aware of the break and why Luther broke away. I get there are popes that were beyond questionable. I think that's in part what Jesus meant when he said blessed are those that are persecuted for his sake. It's not just the standing up for your faith but also hanging tight to the church he left even in times of turmoil, (popes and priests that do horrific things) for the greater cause and that God will work it out for good.

 

I read a lot of things from the Catholic apologetics and what they said made sense. I explored it further, history etc...because I had become a cafeteria Catholic picking and choosing, however through faith I was guided it is the place for ME. I embrace all of it now, the beauty of the sacraments. The depth of the rosary highlighted by Edward Sri's fantastic book.

 

I found a parish that was on fire for the Lord and it made all the difference. Not all are the same though I agree and it will likely color the perceptions. Maybe a change in parishes may help, your experience just sounds "dry" and lacking the living fire and passion and glorious color of Christ.

 

I also understand other belief systems. At the University I attended there were those mandatory courses. I fully understand why they say it's hard to stay Christian in a secular University, you need to have unshakeable faith, by the grace of God. I don't believe only Catholics (nor all Catholics) have the ticket to heaven. I think there are many Buddhists for example that hold the tenet "do unto others" better than some Catholics and that is for God to decide. For all the popes that gave Catholicism a bad name, JP II was an outstanding example of bridging those gaps between different beliefs and what unites us far exceeds what divides us. And that's how I try to approach people in my life and profession. There's a common thread of all belief systems and that's the golden rule through that I can do my best to love all others, even my enemies

 

So, I know I said I would let things be with you and pray (which btw I still am) I too feel we have more that unites us than divides us. We are coming up soon into Lent and I hope you take the time to reflect on the work Jesus did on the cross even more (as will I) God loves you far more than the mistakes you make, but you do have to leave the old and come into the new. I pray that for you.