Do you go to Latin Mass? Everyone gets mad and frustrated.
But it only pleases the devil. Everyone has their share of troubles. We offer our sufferings up to God. We strive for Christian perfection in order to love God, to know God and to serve God.
A lot of Catholics and some clergy make things complicated. Even I make things complicated too. To much thinking and studying
When we should do more praying and taking Catholic action. It is about saving souls including our souls so we can go to Heaven to be with God.
You should wear the brown scapular and miraculous medal. :)
Do you pray the Rosary? During your lunchtime you can pray the rosary.
Gosh Viva Christa Rey, let me try to respond to your questions; first of all thank you for them.
Latin Mass - I haven't been to one yet. I would of attended Latin Masses until I was in grade 1 or 2, as that would of been 1962 and I don't know if the venacular mass was said at local level. Someone mentioned to me that the venacular masses (Paul VI Mass) did not filter down to diocesan level to 1965, so I would of been 9 years old. The funny thing though is that I cannot remember Latin mass - I remember GRade 1 and 2, kindegarten, catechism, etc. but the Latin Mass for some reason I can't remember. I remember the priest being on a high platform looking 20 feet tall from the perspective of a six year old boy.
I will be attending a Latin mass soon, and can either incorporate a Latin mass once a month in the extraordinary form within our diocese or attend mass at our local SSPX parish, and I have been in contact with the SSPX priests around that...so I look forward to learning about that. I intend to visit the priest first to make sure I am up to speed on protocol, etc.
Your words are wonderful, staying focused on Our Lord, trying our best to do what he teaches (and that is dependent upon our understanding too), I love your emphasis of simplicity and authenticity. Our Lord looks at the heart first, and the exterior expressions I personally believe come second. Otherwise we become those pharisees or scribes who say all the right things but loose our hearts to our own pride, so bravo on your words, I am with you.
Yes, its about saving souls while continuing to work out our own salvation. Much rhetoric about right and wrong - while important - can cause us to "take our eyes off the ball" and that is salvation, you are so right.
The rosary is my favourite prayer. Because I have been a secuirty guard on night shifts, I had to do rounds, and during these rounds I say my rosary, I find a lot of peace in it, I feel Our Lady's love and even when I go to church, I can just feel the Spirit's love, despite all my failures, inconsistencies, stupidity and so forth. YOu are right.
When I went to Catholic school in the 60s I was encouraged to wear the scapular and I did, also medals, but these days I don't wear them. Perhaps time to revisit that practice.
I love Eucharistic Adoration where in addition to praying , we learn to listen, to do some contemplative meditation...and that is when we truly can learn to empty ourselves...thank you so much for your encouraging words, it is helpful to me...and I hope to hear from you more.
Bruce