tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23218769.post4539599119620227042..comments2023-06-04T06:16:56.083-05:00Comments on The Mighty Ambivalent Catholic: With or Without You?Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17284905121465747077noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23218769.post-63864738137902305942011-05-30T18:47:40.368-05:002011-05-30T18:47:40.368-05:00Hi Shadowlands,
Thanks for stopping by. And than...Hi Shadowlands,<br /><br />Thanks for stopping by. And thanks for the good thoughts and prayers. I do appreciate them! <br /><br />I think you speak a great truth when you describe Mary as one who offers soothing to troubled souls. Mary's humility is a great example for any Christian. I find similar comfort when I read Julian of Norwich, who, in her Revelations of Divine Love, has a beautiful refrain: "And all shall be well. All manner of thing shall be well." I listen to those words on restless nights and sense God's presence in them. God can be present even in stormy waters -- Jesus in the boat on that stormy night.<br /><br />Peace to you on your walk. I hope you will stop by again.Stevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17284905121465747077noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23218769.post-25202927597939082492011-05-29T02:24:50.028-05:002011-05-29T02:24:50.028-05:00I identify with a lot of what you describe here. I...I identify with a lot of what you describe here. I have found a peace within myself, regarding my own Catholicism. That is, my own authentic response to Jesus' question, which He asks each of us, "Who do YOU say that I am?"<br /><br />I didn't take the thinking/ questioning/debate route. I would have ended up even more confused than I already am. I didn't need to hear any more individual's opinions. I needed my own peronal encounter with the risen Lord. Do I fit in? Does he want me? A bit basic, but that was my bottom line, fear of rejection. I didn't even know the action I was taking would lead me to a clear peaceful perspective at a deep soul level. However, it did. So, what action did I take? I asked Jesus, if it was His will, to allow me to get closer to His Mother. I began to pray the rosary. Within a very short time, so many questions and fears just fell away. I actually evolved into my faith without even realising it! I mean this, truly.<br /><br />Now, the negative externals of my life are still there, to be dealt with, kids health issues, my own alcohol issues. But, I am conscious now, that I am never alone in these trials. I also own my faith in God and my place in His Catholic Church, as these have been confirmed. They are also attacked, from within my own faith, which I think is disgusting, how fellow Catholics segregate what they see as the sheep and goats.Not their task to do! He, Jesus, welcomes me. <br /><br />I promote the Rosary, because Mary, our Mother, will not lead us into error. She soothes troubled souls. It's one day at a time. I fall down. Heaven picks me up. There are joyful times too. If I race back to my Mother's heart, I gain the confidence to go out into the scarey world of Catholic fellowship again haha!<br /><br />I will pray for you Steve, for peace of mind, within your faith, as God is unfolding it, to you. Becoming aware that you are involved in a living realtionship with a God who is inviting you to meet with Him, is very exciting, if not a little terrifying, but hey! You're an eighties guy, terrifying is good! <br /><br />God bless. And say your prayers!mehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06962374096401238994noreply@blogger.com