i don't even know if i'm Catholic anymore

I listed examples. For example, missing a holy day of obligation is considered gravely sinful not because missing that particular feast is inherently sinful (the list of holy days varies from country to country) but because the bishops have decided that Catholics should attend those feasts and disobeying them is a grave sin.

Do you think the Bishops created the Sabbath obligation?

They say murder is breaking a commandment too. Is that an unjust obligation to not commit murder?

Please show me where the Bishops say missing an obligation is a mortal sin and for what reasons.

Otherwise such accusation is unfounded and building a straw man argument.

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Kim, you can be a Bad Catholic with me. It's cool.

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From Canon Law:

Can. 1247 On Sundays and other holy days of obligation, the faithful are obliged to participate in the Mass.

From the Catechism:

2180 The precept of the Church specifies the law of the Lord more precisely: "On Sundays and other holy days of obligation the faithful are bound to participate in the Mass." "The precept of participating in the Mass is satisfied by assistance at a Mass which is celebrated anywhere in a Catholic rite either on the holy day or on the evening of the preceding day."


2181 The Sunday Eucharist is the foundation and confirmation of all Christian practice. For this reason the faithful are obliged to participate in the Eucharist on days of obligation, unless excused for a serious reason (for example, illness, the care of infants) or dispensed by their own pastor. Those who deliberately fail in this obligation commit a grave sin.

Frags, Joab, I think the two of you are kind of illustrating Kim's problem, not alleviating it.

Seriously, Kim. Some people need the legalism. They like to have everything painted out in clear broad strokes so they can go about their business knowing they're safe within the neatly delineated boundaries. But you're a good person. Most of the Church requirements are just common sense and common decency that you'd do anyway. Do your thing. Love God, love your neighbor. You want to go to Mass but are feeling weird about it? Go to a different parish where no one knows you and just re-acquaint yourself.

I'm not saying that all the laws and rules aren't applicable or valid or true. I'm saying most of 'em are like a road sign telling you to slow down to 45mph, curve ahead. If you already know the curve is there, and you're not a reckless driver, you're gonna slow down anyway. You don't need to read the sign every time you pass it.

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2181 The Sunday Eucharist is the foundation and confirmation of all Christian practice. For this reason the faithful are obliged to participate in the Eucharist on days of obligation, unless excused for a serious reason (for example, illness, the care of infants) or dispensed by their own pastor. Those who deliberately fail in this obligation commit a grave sin.


THAT right there is what i'm talking about.

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When I converted 10 years ago, I wanted structure and rules. I liked the idea of dotting every "i" and crossing every "T". I had studied Catholicism better than life-long Catholics. Looking back, I think I still filtered everything through a subconscious Protestant mindset. However, real-life Catholicism is not like that for the average Catholic. I've had a lot of time to observe how cradle-folks live out their faith lives. They don't really stress out too much. Mother Church is there with rules if you want and need them. It is all up to each individual as to how they apply the discipline, i.e., how strict you want to be on yourself. I admit that I have become more socially progressive and theologically liberal over the years. I no longer respond to threats of hell as a motivational tool for spiritual development. There is room in the Church for traditionalist leaning conservatives as I once was, as well as liberals and progressive types as I have become (as long as you don't become openly scandalous that is). The faith community is a family which will be glad to see you whenever you show up back at home for a visit. I've never been made to feel bad for missing Mass. I've never had a priest rake me over the coals of hell or beat me down with legalism. I got plenty of that in Protastantism. Sure I disagree with the Pope on some issues, but such things don't come up in the reality of my indivdual parish. Even while disagreeing with some things coming from the Vatican, it is possible to find social and psychological support. I've never heard of a priest checking off a list in the Communion line to see how many times somebody missed Mass. You can go to Mass twice a year or every Sunday. The Church is a spiritual vehicle. You are not there for the sake of serving the institutional Church, the Church is there to be of spiritual service for YOU.

I realized that. From what you said you did not do this deliberately. The issue then becomes, now that circumstances have changed, are you still? If you have the Lord and Church awaits with open arms for you to return to Him. This isn't a divisive sect where once one falls they must move on and find a new home. It is an everlasting Home that doesn't end in this life but carries on into the next. Catholics are always welcome and can always come home.

God understands the reasons from before. All of them. Better than we do ourselves.

Do you love God or are you afraid of Him or angry at Him?

Keeping the Sabbath Holy is one of the ten commandments carried over from the Old Covenant into the New. What the Church says and does is in direct relation to Gods commands.

Its important to understand what that means.

In the Old there was no redemption and we were not saved.

In the New created through Jesus and His cross in Mercy there is fulfillment of the law which is true freedom. You are still saved and if we have fallen away we now have no fear of returning for a stoning for a transgression but to the open arms of understanding because our Lord has shown Mercy.

It is a mistake to say that the Church reiterates what God commands and blame this on men. The allegiances through obedience to Gods commands aren't to men but to God.

These things the Lord advises one to do or not do are not from men but from Him for our own good because He loves us so. Nothing He tells us through His word and His Church are for our detriment or any others benefit but our everlasting souls. Consider the turmoil and conflict you now suffer is from the lack of graces not being imparted to you in the sacraments themselves because you don't partake of what the Lord offers you. In affect starving ones soul.

One may as well be rebelling against all the other 9 commandments as well because the Church also certainly says to break any one of them is grave sin.

Let me relate something many experience (myself included) for you to contemplate;

When the Lord calls us home its wonderful. We experience the sweetness of the Lord.

We become accustomed to that sweetness.

However, there comes a day when God wants to know if we love the sweetness or love Him.

He withdraws the sweetness so that we can realize our purpose and potential on Earth.

Purpose being to Love Him and potential to be the best us who He has made us to be.

Peace.

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This begs the question, do you believe any of this is not true?

I cannot judge what constitutes:

"Those who deliberately fail in this obligation commit a grave sin."

Can you?

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But just think about how Catholicism is actually practiced among the average faithful (aside from a few pockets of conservatives here and there). When is the last time you heard a priest give a homily about going to hell for missing Mass?