Monday, September 03, 2007

Down

I'm feeling a little blue at the moment.

I have a number of relations, whose life choices I find deeply deeply upsetting.


(I just want to say this has nothing to do with my brother, who is a total angel).
( I just say that cos some people who read my blog know him personally)


I get so distressed at thinking of the people I love, who are living in mortal sin; offending poor sweet Jesus and damaging their own lives.

and all because they are following the same old lies of Satan, as proclaimed by our irreligious society.

Satan wants people to sin!
Satan wants people to offend God!
Satan wants souls to end up in Hell.


God is more good than we can imagine or understand
God loves us more than we can believe
God wants us to be with Him forever in the bliss of Heaven
God gave us a Church, the Catholic Church, to proclaim His truths, and to administer His graces to help us live in the way that is best for us


I'm not talking about non-Catholics, but Catholics who are consciously rejecting the Church's teachings to their own detriment, and it is so painful to see them living in such a way.


Promiscuity, fornication ( that means sex before marriage), contraception, cohabitation, superficial vanity....recieving Our Lord in Communion despite being in mortal sin.



Living as the Church teaches, which is in in accordance with God's will, is the unparalled best way to live; it is the way which brings incomparable deep joy and peace, and grace.

It brings a happiness which is long lasting and profound, and not based on the shakey transient passing circumstances of one's life.

It is the way which allows one to grow in holiness, to deepen one' s relationship with Christ, and to live in hope and joy.

Loving Jesus more and more authentically brings a joy to the soul that nothing else in this life can bring.

That is the point of existance.

And once you have that as the central point of your daily life, everything else falls beautifully into place.

Of couse, that's not to say there won't be difficulties....but our attitude and response to them is very different.


After all, God made us, so He knows how we can be happiest, and that happiness is attained by living as He teaches, and striving to Love Him more each day!

It is deluded arrogance which believes WE know best, and especially when that is in direct opposition to the way God teaches.

and unfortunatly, the saddest part, is that our pig-headed stubborn pride and arrogance will always leave us EMPTY and restless, and very much unhappy.



It really distresses me so much, to the point of tears, when I think of the world, but especially my relations (by blood and marriage) , who are missing out on so much good in life, because they are kidding themselves that their life choices aren't wrong.


I know lots of people who have 'reverted' back to the Church after years in the lapsed wilderness, not having lived as the Church teaches.

and you know what they all always say?


If only I had known this when I was younger!

If only someone had told me the truth about contraception! (that's one you very often hear)

If only someone had told me!



But when you try to tell them, they don't want to listen!


I just want to say "STOP IT!!! For the sake of your own soul, and for Him who loves you so much, please stop offending Jesus!"


I am a firm believer that God's grace is more powerful than anything, and can over come anything, so there is always hope.
But in the meanwhile; it is so distressing.


I was advised by a Priest to offer up such distress to Jesus, and to unite it to the intense pain He feels when one of us, His sheep, intentionally goes astray, and unpityingly continues to offends Him.

So let us make an effort to love Jesus as much as our hearts can manage, with every action, word and deed, so as to make up to Him, for all the offences of others.

:-(


and let us PRAY.


Not even my chocolate chip and apple cake can cheer me up.


This is the prayer the Angel told the 3 little children at Fatima;

The angel prayed it to God with His forehead bowed low & touching the ground.

It's a powerful prayer if prayed with a sincere heart.




MY GOD; I BELIEVE, I ADORE, I HOPE & I LOVE YOU
I ASK YOUR PARDON FOR THOSE WHO DO NOT BELIEVE, DO NOT ADORE DO NOT HOPE, AND DO NOT LOVE YOU
MOST HOLY TRINITY; FATHER, SON & HOLY SPIRIT,
I ADORE YOU PROFOUNDLY
AND I OFFER YOU THE MOST PRECIOUS BODY, BLOOD, SOUL & DIVINITY OF JESUS CHRIST,
PRESENT IN ALL THE TABERNACLES OF THE WORLD
IN REPARATION FOR THE OUTRAGES, SACRILEGES AND OFFENCES
WITH WITH HE HIMSELF IS OFFENDED
AND THROUGH THE INFINITE MERITS OF HIS MOST SACRED HEART, AND THE IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY, I BEG OF YOU THE CONVERSION OF POOR SINNERS
AMEN


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8 comments:

Anonymous said...

I find that I struggle the most with fellow Catholics. In a way, I expect that type of behavior from non-Catholics, but Catholics? It is even worse when you really love the person. I always have to remember to stop the criticisms and begin the prayers! That is a hard one.

tomt said...

Antonia,
Consider having a Mass offered for their conversion.

Wife of a Soldier said...

I'll definitely be praying about it! Trying to get back in the habit of daily Mass before Baby B comes, so I'll make it one of my special intentions every Mass.

It is hard to watch loved ones struggling with these issues. But, as you know, the most powerful thing we can do is pray! And storm Heaven we will! :)

Love and prayers,
Laura

antonia said...

Hey guys,
Thanks so much for thr encouragement and wonderful advise.
I totally agree, Masses & prayers are the ultimate channels of grace, and they need to be at the centre, if conversion is desired.

Thanks for your sweet words!

Anonymous said...

All this just makes me anxious to get it right on my way in to the Church. Thank goodness for blogs like this, which keep reminding us all of the need to stay on the narrow path. Thanks for posting this, Antonia.

Oh, and a small recommendation (which you probably already know, but still) you could consider beating them about the head with some Chesterton, if all else fails. I've found him to be very sound and very accessible for the reader. (Even for a convert like myself!)

Anonymous said...

Thanks for your blog! :) Do add it to the Christian blog page at http://www.puresearch.org.uk so other Catholics/Christians can view it! God Bless

DrMatthewDoyle said...

I feel like that often. I often don't have the strength and patience to offer it up.

Anonymous said...

You all need to take step back and ask yourself "If God is ultimate power and creator, why would He allow any one to not follow the 'right path,' why would He make poeple who would want to go against His will?" The answer is that He wouldn't. Excluding the universal evils such as murder and rape, most poeples 'life choices' wheather it be same sex marriage, pre-marrital sex or practacing safe sex, are honkey dorey with God as long as we are happy with them. The truth is there is more than one way to God and their is more than one way to happiness. So save your prayers for you non-Catholic buddies. They don't need them