I haven't been able to blog in a very long time it seems. But, figure that for today I will go a differnt route, just discuss some things that are on my mind. Today's readings in Hosea seem to magnify what has been on my heart lately.
" the stalk of grain that forms no ear can yield no flower.".........When Ephraim made many altars to expiate sin, his altars became occasions of sin.
The reason why I find it so difficult to write anything is that I feel like I am being torn in two. I find myself bouncing between 2 totally different Catholic Churches. I can find NO peace doing this. In my heart and in my prayers I hear the importants of reverance, in reparation. As much as I love my home Parish, I feel in faith that I have been shown that so many things are lacking or maybe exchanged for something new and modern. I see and feel the faith that is shared by us regular morning mass goers, but also feel so much is being lost. I desire so completely for our church to be restored. I want so badly for the tabernacle to return to the center of our church. In our parish the tabernacle is over to the side. A good percentage of seats in our church have an obstructed view. People come in genuflect to the St Domiano Icon and walk right past the tabernacle. Do they understand that HE is there? I don't feel it. Maybe that is why people are leaving the church, or comming to church but ignoring his commandments . I want to run! I am so tired of feeling that our Catholic faith has been replaced right in front of our eyes. I want to walk into my church and know that was is taught is good and true and pure teachings from Jesus himself. Does anyone else feel a little scared when they hear the readings? How can He be happy with a mass that focuses on the parish priest who sits high in a preciding chair in the exact spot that the tabernacle should be. I guess I may be babbling now, but this is partly why I don't write any more. I am at a loss for words. Pray for me will you please!
For me, it is that old saying that my mother use to say, "Everyone thinks the grass in greener on the other side." By this I mean that many Catholics want the Church to be modern and "user friendly" much like they see other non-Catholic religions being. They just don't realize what we have; we have the presence of the Living God, the body and blood of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
ReplyDeleteIt is very easy to get discouraged, but we must persevere. Do not let the salt loose its flavor. Remember that as the Lord spoke to Francis "Rebuild my church", so must we rebuild through example and daily commitment to the truth.
As my husband would say,"when the going gets tough, the tough keep going."
Keep going, keep sharing, keep hoping and keep praying for the Catholic Church, its members, its clergy.
I will keep praying for you and I would appreciate your prayers for me.
May God be with you today and always...It was so wonderful to see you had posted again.
A beautiful post. Let us remember that you, we, us and many others are seeing the faith with truth, and not with veiled eyes. We cannot talk with everyone, nor change anyones' mind. We will persevere by example, and you are a shining light. I know. "A light should never be hidden..."
ReplyDeleteYou are in my prayers! I pray that you will be given the grace to discern God's will for you. I understand your dismay, but there are many signs of hope in the Church. The situation is much better than it was 26 years ago when God enlightened me to the same issues that are distressing you.
ReplyDeleteFor one thing, there are more parishes that participate in Eucharistic adoration. Also, seminarians are getting better formation than in years past, resulting in some outstanding new priests loyal to what the Church teaches and courageous in proclaiming it. Another positive--the Vatican and other Catholics are increasingly using the internet to try to reach as many as possible with the truths of our faith. Many good things are happening in the Church. Things move more slowly than we might hope, but we are heading in the right direction. More prayer,sacrifice and sufferings offered up are needed.
Many Catholics have never learned the faith properly. Most younger Catholics have probably never heard the most important truths of the faith expressed clearly from the pulpit.
Many older Catholics seem to have forgotten what they learned in the days of more faithfully explicitly Catholic instruction.
That is why prayer for priests is vitally important. The Year for Priests was a giant step in the right direction, but those of us who care about our Catholic faith dare not let up in spiritually supporting our priests. They are the prime targets of the devil. If he can destroy the faith of one priest, he can count on many other souls being won over to his side.
I love what Jesus said to Mother Louise Margaret Claret de la Touche, "My priest is My other Self. I love him, but he must be holy. Nineteen centuries ago, twelve men changed the world, they were not merely men, they were priests. Now once more twelve priests could change the world." Mother Louise Margaret said about priests, "They are to be the channels which are to bring life to souls, the life of love without which Faith is dead."
Don't let the devil trap you into discouragement. That is one of his greatest weapons against us. Stay calm and continue in prayer. God will let you know what He wants of you. As St. Padre Pio said, "Pray, hope and don't worry."