Paddington Posted February 4, 2007 Share Posted February 4, 2007 Why does it seem that choosing to be Catholic is so hard for some and so easy for others? There is a whole continuum in between, of course. And the appearances never tell the whole story, of course. But...for Joe he would be losing everything he has in this world to be Catholic. It happens. For Bob, he would be losing everything in this world if he were not Catholic. It happens. Why is this? I'm expecting a bunch of "Only God knows." I guess that is the best answer. I wonder if there are any other answers. Peace, Paddington Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Birgitta Noel Posted February 4, 2007 Share Posted February 4, 2007 I found a great quote in another thread that sorta speaks to this that sort of puts it all in perspective, at least it does to me: "Why should you worry about whether God wants you to reach the heavenly home by way of desert or by the fields, when by the one as well as by the other, one arrives all the same at a Blessed Eternity" St. Francis de Sales to Jane de Chantal, Feb. 18, 1605. And yes, you are right, things are not always as they appear. There are saints in our midst of whom we are unaware and there are those we think who have it all together spiritually who are dying inside or struggling mightily. So, that's not really an answer to your question, but there it is. The other thing to consider is that God is asking Joe to trust in His love. To risk loosing everything for his sake. From whom much is asked, much is given. Bob appears to have the gift of faith, but one cannot know what the real state of his heart and soul are. Things may be as they appear for Bob too. It doesn't mean that Bob is better than Joe. In some ways Joe is better off. He's making a decision that may cost him a great deal. It's easy to embrace something that you don't have to sacrifice for. That's not to say that Bob is insincere, just that his faith may not have been tested yet. Additionally for some like Bob it may be that God knows what he needs to sustain him. There's a teaching (bible verse maybe? I can't remember right now) that God gives consolations of faith to those whose faith is in need of that sort of thing, but to others He remains hidden because he knows that they are not in need of such things. (maybe someone can help me out on that bit, I'm not getting it out right....) I have admired your willingness to question and learn here at Phatmass. Keep seeking the Truth. It will set you free. To have faith is not easy, to do what is asked of us is also not easy. We cannot do it alone, we need the grace and love of Christ to get us through. I hope that makes some sense, there's a lot I'm trying to say but I'm afraid it's all getting muddled up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paddington Posted February 4, 2007 Author Share Posted February 4, 2007 Thank you so much The Little Way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Birgitta Noel Posted February 4, 2007 Share Posted February 4, 2007 You're welcome Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mateo el Feo Posted February 4, 2007 Share Posted February 4, 2007 My "quick answer" is that we're all individuals, each with our own stories, our own gifts, and our own weaknesses. The supernatural battle for each soul is unique. Your question made me think of a couple Gospel passages. First, I thought of the contrast between the Apostles--St. Andrew and St. Peter--who immediately chose to follow Our Lord ([url="http://www.usccb.org/nab/bible/mark/mark1.htm#v16"]Mark 1:16[/url]) when called. In contrast, the rich young man was unable to answer the call ([url="http://www.usccb.org/nab/bible/mark/mark10.htm#v21"]Mark 10:21-23[/url]), because "he had many possessions." Next, I thought about the parable of the vineyard workers who all were paid a full day's wage. Quoting from the Gospel of St. Matthew ([url="http://www.usccb.org/nab/bible/matthew/matthew20.htm#v1"]Matthew 20:1-15[/url]):[quote]The kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out at dawn to hire laborers for his vineyard. After agreeing with them for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard. Going out about nine o'clock, he saw others standing idle in the marketplace, and he said to them, 'You too go into my vineyard, and I will give you what is just.' So they went off. (And) he went out again around noon, and around three o'clock, and did likewise. Going out about five o'clock, he found others standing around, and said to them, 'Why do you stand here idle all day?' They answered, 'Because no one has hired us.' He said to them, 'You too go into my vineyard.' When it was evening the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, 'Summon the laborers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and ending with the first.' When those who had started about five o'clock came, each received the usual daily wage. So when the first came, they thought that they would receive more, but each of them also got the usual wage. And on receiving it they grumbled against the landowner, saying, 'These last ones worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us, who bore the day's burden and the heat.' He said to one of them in reply, 'My friend, I am not cheating you. Did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? Take what is yours and go. What if I wish to give this last one the same as you? (Or) am I not free to do as I wish with my own money? Are you envious because I am generous?'[/quote]Maybe this is just a "Only God knows" answer, but I just wanted to share some of my first impressions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paddington Posted February 4, 2007 Author Share Posted February 4, 2007 Next, I'd like to thank Mateo el Feo. His post was also very good. And has sustained me for these last couple minutes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Era Might Posted February 4, 2007 Share Posted February 4, 2007 One of the Mass readings a few days ago was when Jesus drove a legion of demons out of a man. Afterwards the man begged Jesus to let him come along and follow him, but Jesus told him no, that he was to go back and tell his own people what had happened. I thought it was interesting that the man's life would have been completely different had Jesus said yes. He may have been a well known Saint, he probably would have been a martyr. Instead we never hear from him again. Maybe Jesus was saying that everyone has their own role in the Kingdom. Mateo mentions the rich young man, and he was just the opposite. Jesus told him to sell everything and follow him; he was calling him to radical discipleship, but the man would not go. Some have great conversion stories, like St. Monica praying for St. Augustine for many years, others are Catholic from birth like St. Therese. Really, though, I don't think it's ever "easy" to choose to be Catholic. We just have different crosses that we have to bear. Some people live a quiet family life like the possessed man, some people become monks and live in total poverty. Some people struggle intellectually before they convert, like St. Augustine, some people struggle morally before they convert, like, well, like St. Augustine. If ever there was a hard conversion, it was his. But he is SAINT Augustine today precisely because it wasn't easy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmotherofpirl Posted February 4, 2007 Share Posted February 4, 2007 [quote name='Paddington' post='1184504' date='Feb 4 2007, 02:16 AM'] Why does it seem that choosing to be Catholic is so hard for some and so easy for others? There is a whole continuum in between, of course. And the appearances never tell the whole story, of course. But...for Joe he would be losing everything he has in this world to be Catholic. It happens. For Bob, he would be losing everything in this world if he were not Catholic. It happens. Why is this? I'm expecting a bunch of "Only God knows." I guess that is the best answer. I wonder if there are any other answers. Peace, Paddington [/quote] If you decide something is Truth, you accept it. What can we lose on earth? Fame, fortune, other peoples opinion of us, our lives? Our lives are as petals on the wind, and eternity is long. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XIX Posted February 4, 2007 Share Posted February 4, 2007 Our lives pass by as quickly as a Chuck Norris roundhouse kick to the face. *BANG* and done. Eternity is...relatively long. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prose Posted February 4, 2007 Share Posted February 4, 2007 This reminds me of the book of Job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmotherofpirl Posted February 4, 2007 Share Posted February 4, 2007 it reminds me of CS Lewis when he discusses eternity and souls Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thy Geekdom Come Posted February 4, 2007 Share Posted February 4, 2007 Different people come from different circumstances and temperments. I figured that was why. I'm more melancholy and sometimes it's hard for me to muster up my faith. Others who are more sanguine may be too attached to being hyperactive and social to take time to pray. Some come from very anti-Catholic backgrounds and have to dealwith their families if they are converting...others are in very Catholic areas. Grace conquers all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paddington Posted February 5, 2007 Author Share Posted February 5, 2007 [quote name='cmotherofpirl' post='1184594' date='Feb 4 2007, 01:26 PM'] If you decide something is Truth, you accept it. What can we lose on earth? Fame, fortune, other peoples opinion of us, our lives? Our lives are as petals on the wind, and eternity is long. [/quote] Amen to that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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