Taking Advent seriously? I read the quotation below and it helped soothe gnawing doubts. A light shined. "Yes", i said and so would like to share it:
... a reporter asked me what I would say to Catholics who do not attend Mass because they disagree with, or have questions about, Church teaching. I answered that our teaching does not change because people disagree with it; our faith comes from Christ’s own teaching in the Scriptures and through the teaching authority of the Church throughout the ages. We recognise, however, that many struggle to reconcile Church teaching with social norms in American [Western] society today; to them, we say that we want to engage in a meaningful conversation with you. We want you to know that you are part of our family. We want to assure you that God loves you and waits for you at Sunday Mass. The best place to begin a conversation is by gathering with the family of believers in the worshipping community.
To those who consider themselves unwelcome at Mass because of some irregularity or moral struggle, please know that you are always loved by God and the Catholic community desires your presence with us. We are all brothers and sisters in Christ. An inability to fulfil all aspects of Christian worship or to receive Communion should not keep you from Mass. In fact, the habit of being faithful to the Sunday obligation can provide the actual grace, if you cooperate with it, to give you the strength to overcome current obstacles and find paths of reconciliation. We stand ready to help you.” (Boston’s Cardinal Sean O’Malley, to Catholics who no longer go to Mass)
Oremus:
I pray for the resolution to offer thanks as often as possible, moment to moment. Thanks, not because the world is suddenly kind and life and pleasant, not trying to disguise disappointments, anger and frustration. I pray for a steadfast gratefulness for Christ's Love, presence and grace. I pray that all mankind may know peace of mind in whatever the weather of daily life, through Him and in Him and with Him. Amen.
Deo gratias.
... a reporter asked me what I would say to Catholics who do not attend Mass because they disagree with, or have questions about, Church teaching. I answered that our teaching does not change because people disagree with it; our faith comes from Christ’s own teaching in the Scriptures and through the teaching authority of the Church throughout the ages. We recognise, however, that many struggle to reconcile Church teaching with social norms in American [Western] society today; to them, we say that we want to engage in a meaningful conversation with you. We want you to know that you are part of our family. We want to assure you that God loves you and waits for you at Sunday Mass. The best place to begin a conversation is by gathering with the family of believers in the worshipping community.
To those who consider themselves unwelcome at Mass because of some irregularity or moral struggle, please know that you are always loved by God and the Catholic community desires your presence with us. We are all brothers and sisters in Christ. An inability to fulfil all aspects of Christian worship or to receive Communion should not keep you from Mass. In fact, the habit of being faithful to the Sunday obligation can provide the actual grace, if you cooperate with it, to give you the strength to overcome current obstacles and find paths of reconciliation. We stand ready to help you.” (Boston’s Cardinal Sean O’Malley, to Catholics who no longer go to Mass)
Oremus:
I pray for the resolution to offer thanks as often as possible, moment to moment. Thanks, not because the world is suddenly kind and life and pleasant, not trying to disguise disappointments, anger and frustration. I pray for a steadfast gratefulness for Christ's Love, presence and grace. I pray that all mankind may know peace of mind in whatever the weather of daily life, through Him and in Him and with Him. Amen.
Deo gratias.
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