Nope, but I feel that I'm using this as an excuse to justify some of my habitual sins. It's kind of " the pope is idolatrous, whats the weight of my sin in comparison?".
It's a vicious mindset, but nevertheless a cunning one.
I understand. Please, don't be discouraged. Remember that we all live in communion with one another. Maybe you can use this time to conquer your sins. When temptation arises, say, 'Lord it is for love of You, for reparation for the sacrileges committed at the Pan-Amazonian Synod and for the salvation of Pope Francis that I sacrifice myself to You'.
As Catholics we're supposed to always measure ourselves with the teachings of the gospels and our old former self, but it's so easy to point fingers at others.
It is. That's why we're called to be little children. Everything must begin, endure and end in grace.
I'll have to find my way back to the confessional, but I'm not going to confess spitting snus or gum on the sidewalk, lol. Ecological sins are not something I fancy
Me too. For some reason, my distrust of the Pope has trickled down to every parish priest. It's not fair to priests. It's Satan working. But right now, I don't know who I can trust.
Well, Satan is at me now adays. I'm so disheartened by the pope and the church. I have nowhere to go and now I'm failing as a Christian too. I'm in mortal sin
The fact that you are speaking these words, indicates to me that the Spirit still resides in you. But I cannot be certain, since I don't know everything about you. Let's pray. Lord Jesus, You are our Confessor-Priest. To You we come confessing everything that is on our hearts today. We ask that You grant us wise, faithful, gentle and loving priest- confessors after Your own heart and a Church we can believe in again. May that time arrive quickly! Show us the path we need to take. Until then, we ask that You take up the office, and by the power of Your Holy Spirit, grant us that Sacramental peace of forgiveness. Amen.
I don't know... sometimes I'm relapsing to my old lutheran view and I'm seeking refuge in my baptism and remember that Salvation is free and given out of love. I feel so disgusted with my own spiritual life nowadays. A big old hypocrite!
I know Catholics say you cannot be assured of your salvation and I think that's true in the sense that we all have freewill. But ever since I converted and started to participate in the Sacramental life, I realized there's no reason a Catholic cannot have assurance so long as they remain in that Sacramental life. And as comforting as Lutheran baptismal theology is, I think Catholic baptismal theology can be just as comforting. Remember that baptism justifies completely, it places on you an indelible mark that not even mortal sin can erase, and it's grace is independent of your disposition at the time you received it. So, if I understand Catholic theology correctly, you have Christ's covenantal promise that He will be with you always, to help, guide, love and carry you for as long as you live.
I know that though I'm unfaithful and sinful, God is true to his promise. I just pray that I'll grow in holiness during my life. Though I dont believe in the solas I do sometimes comfort myself with the baptismal theology of Luther.
For me as a Catholic, that's where I try to keep my focus. I listen to a lot of Catholics and it sounds like they're on a rollercoaster. How to avoid such and such sin. I use to be there. But it's demoralizing and exhausting. If I wanted to focus on sin and the law I'd go back to my Lutheranism. Not that Law and Gospel doesn't have it's truths. I still use it occasionally, especially with some Evangelicals who seem to mix the two up an awful lot. Catholicism for me is about sanctification, growing in virtue, in the love of God. I want it to be something entirely positive.
I guess if I try to look at the glass as half full I'm quite confident that I'm the sorrowful soul in the temple who knows im not worthy of Gods love.
You only have to look at the cross to know how God feels about you. That's what's bad about not going to Confession. We're not hearing the words that we're forgiven. Hearing the words is very important. Remember that Paul said faith comes by hearing? I would add, comfort too.
The current crisis in the church functions as a nasty excuse for remaining in sin.
God knows your struggle. He became man so that He may know them intimately and know you intimately. You have been buried with Him in baptism and have the indelible seal of His promise that He will never forsake to aid you. Now we just need to get you and me back into Confession.
Lord have mercy on my soul!
Amen sweetie. Mine too.
