I see myself in your post. Sometimes I must remind myself when debating [really arguing, sadly] that my goal shouldn't be to 'win' or 'defeat' the other person or view. It should be to bring them closer to Christ and His Church. Too often I'm focused on the 'winning.'
As person who is zealous for the pre Vatican II Council Catholism, but to also carry charity as best as I can, I want to encourage you that Orthodoxy just like holiness is a journey, not an end. As Catholic's we are supposed to do both, (or in my case), as best as we can. We don't want to sacrifice God's Truth on the altar of human respect, carnal desires, or worst yet, expediency. If you've seen the pagan statue of pachama in the Vatican, it forces you to confront your long cherished beliefs, your ways of thinking and may even strain relationships. Or you can deny, rationalize, or ignore. I believe what gave us the heretical Second Vatican Council was previous Catholics laxity in faith, morals, relativism, and finally lose of faith. I can attest as a non believer turned protestant turned Second Vatican Council member turned Sedevacantist was my fidelity to God's Truth, (not my own idea or what I found comfort in), and my attempts to be holy. People in today's culture and society mistake holding to truth at worst fanaticism or at best, idiosyncrasy and pointing out errors and heresies as pharasidic at worst, or best bad faith. Believe me, I have been accused of everything but being a child of God, by protestants, Second Vatican Council supporters and even some of own co-religionists. (when I tried to point out we need both Orthodoxy and holiness). I refuse to water down God's Truth to call out errors and heresies BUT without sacrificing charity. To people I realize I must seem an annoying crank, but I believe to not point people to the truth ISN'T charity, but gross cowardice. I believe we are living in the last days, and even if I'm grossly wrong, souls are at stake. May Our Lord and His Blessed Mother bless you abundantly!
We are to admonish the sinner, which is difficult for me a coward. You stood in front of your God and Savior and admonished yourself. And brought it publicly! What courage! May God grant me the graces and blessings to move from paint on the wall to the person He created me to be, and to be introspective and live my Catholic faith out loud.
I understand your challenge and the spiritual trial. I became engrossed in theological studies and found myself becoming more knowledgeable about the Faith, but not growing in my relationship with Christ, which led to intense spiritual dryness. I recalled a line from one book stating just because someone is a theologian doesn't mean they are a Christian. Thank God we recognized this.
If you were replying to me, thank you! I don't want to come across as a single minded fanatic or a person of bad faith. I have been on social media since 2003 and have been accused of many things (all of them either untrue or grossly exaggerated). I don't know what you're spiritual state is at, but I don't want to alienate you, but encourage you and urge you to be OBJECTIVE. My main complaint with the Second Vatican Council supporters is they have charity and understanding for EVERYONE except for Sedevacantists. When I was researching Sedevacantism, and I was still in the sect, my harshest(and still are) critics are people who are more desperate to impune my motivations and character than to seek the truth. God bless you.
Thank you for this excellent truth-filled, sobering and encouraging comment!
I see myself in your post. Sometimes I must remind myself when debating [really arguing, sadly] that my goal shouldn't be to 'win' or 'defeat' the other person or view. It should be to bring them closer to Christ and His Church. Too often I'm focused on the 'winning.'
Pax and continued blessings.
B
As person who is zealous for the pre Vatican II Council Catholism, but to also carry charity as best as I can, I want to encourage you that Orthodoxy just like holiness is a journey, not an end. As Catholic's we are supposed to do both, (or in my case), as best as we can. We don't want to sacrifice God's Truth on the altar of human respect, carnal desires, or worst yet, expediency. If you've seen the pagan statue of pachama in the Vatican, it forces you to confront your long cherished beliefs, your ways of thinking and may even strain relationships. Or you can deny, rationalize, or ignore. I believe what gave us the heretical Second Vatican Council was previous Catholics laxity in faith, morals, relativism, and finally lose of faith. I can attest as a non believer turned protestant turned Second Vatican Council member turned Sedevacantist was my fidelity to God's Truth, (not my own idea or what I found comfort in), and my attempts to be holy. People in today's culture and society mistake holding to truth at worst fanaticism or at best, idiosyncrasy and pointing out errors and heresies as pharasidic at worst, or best bad faith. Believe me, I have been accused of everything but being a child of God, by protestants, Second Vatican Council supporters and even some of own co-religionists. (when I tried to point out we need both Orthodoxy and holiness). I refuse to water down God's Truth to call out errors and heresies BUT without sacrificing charity. To people I realize I must seem an annoying crank, but I believe to not point people to the truth ISN'T charity, but gross cowardice. I believe we are living in the last days, and even if I'm grossly wrong, souls are at stake. May Our Lord and His Blessed Mother bless you abundantly!
We are to admonish the sinner, which is difficult for me a coward. You stood in front of your God and Savior and admonished yourself. And brought it publicly! What courage! May God grant me the graces and blessings to move from paint on the wall to the person He created me to be, and to be introspective and live my Catholic faith out loud.
I understand your challenge and the spiritual trial. I became engrossed in theological studies and found myself becoming more knowledgeable about the Faith, but not growing in my relationship with Christ, which led to intense spiritual dryness. I recalled a line from one book stating just because someone is a theologian doesn't mean they are a Christian. Thank God we recognized this.
Are you familiar with the rule of st Benedict chapter 72: on good zeal. If not give it a read, Benedict is speaking to you here.
I've been there. Thanks for sharing. 🙏
If you were replying to me, thank you! I don't want to come across as a single minded fanatic or a person of bad faith. I have been on social media since 2003 and have been accused of many things (all of them either untrue or grossly exaggerated). I don't know what you're spiritual state is at, but I don't want to alienate you, but encourage you and urge you to be OBJECTIVE. My main complaint with the Second Vatican Council supporters is they have charity and understanding for EVERYONE except for Sedevacantists. When I was researching Sedevacantism, and I was still in the sect, my harshest(and still are) critics are people who are more desperate to impune my motivations and character than to seek the truth. God bless you.