It's all about conversion of heart
Anon wrote, "This is not pertaining to the topic but I am baring my soul so people please don't jump all over me. I am a very liberal minded person so sometimes its hard to really accept certain teachings. Its not that I don't want to, its just difficult to. I was "very" pro-choice until I got educated on what it meant to have an abortion. Not that I did. Then the whole idea really horrified me. I am asking anyone for advice as to what should I do when certain teachings go against what I learnt in the secular world? I really want to follow the church's teachings and not be so liberal minded."
Thank you, Anon, for your honest and personal thoughts. It really is a beautiful thing to read because your heart is open to Christ and his Church. But, it's very hard for your mind to come on board with the Truth because of what you've learned in the secular world. And, let's make no mistake about it: the secular world presents its own gospel that is very much opposed to Christ's Gospel. So, the fact that you have somehow trudged through the darkness, and are trying to come to the light is very inspiring and commendable; I hope you find the light!
This really is a matter of heart and mind. Christ stresses repeatedly to change our hearts, and turn back to Him. He has given us our hearts, and as St Augustine once said, "our hearts are restless until thee rest in Thee (Christ)". So, it's all about conversion - changing our hearts. God wants each of his children to turn away from the things of the world and turn back to Him. This is a call you are hearing, and desperately want to answer. The best place to start is prayer. Pray every day that God will open your heart to Him and His love (as we all should do).
It is clear to me by your comments that your mind is searching for the Truth about God, life, and yourself. Christ says, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life". Christ is Truth; all of his teachings are true. Christ sent his Spirit so that the Church would continue to teach Truth until the end of the world. How do we know that what the Church teaches is true? Because she is guided by the Spirit of Christ. The Holy Spirit is the authority on which she bases all of her teachings.
What is the authority on which secular society bases its teachings? Or, more directly, on what authority do Catholics who don't follow the Church's teachings base their positions? It is a human authority only. In other words, it is opinion, or 'subjective truth'. It could be wrong. One example of this is abortion. As you have found, the pro-choice approach is not right, it is not from the Holy Spirit. It is from human beings who, for one reason or another, strayed from the Truth about life and are now leading others astray.
Finally, and this is speaking to your mind and your heart, the whole point of why we are all here on this Earth is love. Christ teaches and lives the Gospel of Love. It is not always an easy Gospel; in fact, love can be tough. But, Christ is all about love; He is Love. His Church is Love. Love is the basis for all of the Church's teachings. Love is the foundation on which all of the Sacraments are based. Love is the basis for all Christian prayer and service. Love is the source and summit of the Catholic Church. Those who oppose Christ and His Church oppose not only Truth, but Love.
Thank you, Anon, for your honest and personal thoughts. It really is a beautiful thing to read because your heart is open to Christ and his Church. But, it's very hard for your mind to come on board with the Truth because of what you've learned in the secular world. And, let's make no mistake about it: the secular world presents its own gospel that is very much opposed to Christ's Gospel. So, the fact that you have somehow trudged through the darkness, and are trying to come to the light is very inspiring and commendable; I hope you find the light!
This really is a matter of heart and mind. Christ stresses repeatedly to change our hearts, and turn back to Him. He has given us our hearts, and as St Augustine once said, "our hearts are restless until thee rest in Thee (Christ)". So, it's all about conversion - changing our hearts. God wants each of his children to turn away from the things of the world and turn back to Him. This is a call you are hearing, and desperately want to answer. The best place to start is prayer. Pray every day that God will open your heart to Him and His love (as we all should do).
It is clear to me by your comments that your mind is searching for the Truth about God, life, and yourself. Christ says, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life". Christ is Truth; all of his teachings are true. Christ sent his Spirit so that the Church would continue to teach Truth until the end of the world. How do we know that what the Church teaches is true? Because she is guided by the Spirit of Christ. The Holy Spirit is the authority on which she bases all of her teachings.
What is the authority on which secular society bases its teachings? Or, more directly, on what authority do Catholics who don't follow the Church's teachings base their positions? It is a human authority only. In other words, it is opinion, or 'subjective truth'. It could be wrong. One example of this is abortion. As you have found, the pro-choice approach is not right, it is not from the Holy Spirit. It is from human beings who, for one reason or another, strayed from the Truth about life and are now leading others astray.
Finally, and this is speaking to your mind and your heart, the whole point of why we are all here on this Earth is love. Christ teaches and lives the Gospel of Love. It is not always an easy Gospel; in fact, love can be tough. But, Christ is all about love; He is Love. His Church is Love. Love is the basis for all of the Church's teachings. Love is the foundation on which all of the Sacraments are based. Love is the basis for all Christian prayer and service. Love is the source and summit of the Catholic Church. Those who oppose Christ and His Church oppose not only Truth, but Love.
posted by Fr Greg at
12:14 PM
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