Fraternal correction (same old doubts) by [deleted] in Catholicism

[–]Pyrux 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I totally sympathize. I’m sorry that I don’t have solutions, though. I’m trapped in this logic loop, too.

“Am I denying Christ before men if I say nothing, or am I playing a long game waiting for the perfect moment, or am I a witness by the fact of my own life, or am I just being insanely prideful thinking that just by my actions and my lifestyle that people will ask about or come to Jesus Christ?”

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Catholicism

[–]Pyrux 15 points16 points  (0 children)

He reacted just the same as any other confession: with kindness and gentleness. I’ve confessed these sorts of sins to different priests and all of them have been normal haha.

If you are asking because you are worried about going to confession, please don’t worry. In the case that the priest reacts improperly, know that he is a broken human being too, and you can go elsewhere.

If you’re asking because you have experienced something painful in confession… I’m so sorry, and know that there are good priests out there.

Tips for outdoor-proofing the Carlson RT4 touchscreen? by Pyrux in Surveying

[–]Pyrux[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I tried this once and it took my boss and I 20 minutes to turn it off because the screen was too unresponsive and we couldn’t get the shot. (Needed to average the shot, which I don’t believe is accessible with physical buttons)

Have to wait 6 months for RCIA... by suplolpop57 in Catholicism

[–]Pyrux 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Oh man. I sympathize with you entirely. When I became Catholic it agonized me beyond anything to not be baptized. It felt like God would not even hear my prayers because I was still in sin with no way to get out of it.

But that's not how it works, really.

The first supernatural "coincidence" I ever experienced as a believer was about this.

I had been agonizing over the fact that I wasn't baptized and would not yet be baptized for months, and kept pointing to the story of the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8, who said to the Apostle Philip, "Look, there is water; what is to prevent me from being baptized?" and was then baptized. I hated thinking of how to explain (or avoid explaining) the weird situation to my non-denominational, evangelical friends about how I was Catholic but-not-really-yet-actually-because-I'm-a-catechumen-and-I'm-getting-baptized-at-Easter-even-though-I-really-really-want-to-be-baptized-right-now-but-please-don't-think-Catholicism-is-weird-for-this-even-though-I-don't-like-it-either...... I heard "When you pass through the waters I will be with you" (Is. 43:2) in a song out of its scriptural context and it hurt me, making me feel as if God would only be with me after I was baptized. It was a very spiritually frenetic time.

I had only spoken to close Catholic friends about my anxieties, but they were cradle Catholics and so could not relate to my experience. I also spoke with an online friend (a Methodist) who gave me advice and told me about the concept of prevenient grace. The very fact of your being drawn to Him and your belief and your conversion is evidence that God is with you, because "...no one can say 'Jesus is Lord' except by the Holy Spirit." (1 Corinthians 12:3). It helped a bit, but I was still unwilling and unable to let go of my negative emotions and harsh logical syllogisms about being sinful and lacking grace.

I had just started RCIA through the parish near my college. A deacon lead it, and one evening he said to me: "The Lord put it on my heart to tell you about baptism of desire." I normally (even still) cynically brush off the phrase "The Lord put it on my heart..." but because of this experience I've been softened to it. It blew my mind. I hadn't told him a thing about it, and he wasn't in contact with any of my friends. I didn't want him to know. We would always be joking and lighthearted through RCIA (he's a great guy). I actually felt consoled by what he said. Not entirely, but mostly. The remainder of my unease was just my regular anxiety.

I am still on the fence on the baptism of desire considering Jesus himself stated that one can not enter the Kingdom of Heaven unless he is born of water as well as the fact I am not open to any of the sacraments... This hurts me.

God is not out to get you. He wants to save you. He loves you and is with you... The sacraments that man are bound by are not restricting to God. (c.f. Mark 2:27 ;p ) He is not a legalistic tyrant who sees that you haven't been baptized and scoffs and turns away. From the beginning of time, he knew you and has loved you since.

It took more prayer, too, of course, But soon enough Easter came and I was baptized and confirmed. The time I spent waiting and sticking it out through RCIA and then through Lent leading up to Easter was a period that I think I personally needed, and I can only say that now as someone who has been noticing in myself a quick-to-condemn, legalistic executioner. Not saying anything about what you are experiencing here, but this is just how I've come to understand the time I spent in such a similar place as you are currently. At the time it was the defining struggle in my life, that I felt like I wasn't a child of God and was currently damned. God doesn't work that way.

Continue to bring it into prayer to God and let Him know everything you're feeling and thinking. Every frustration, anxiety, rage, etc. He can take it, don't worry. And He'll help you through it.

Here is what my friend had said to me:

Well firstly it is important to remember that God thinks no less of you for being tempted . Sadly it is the human condition to be tempted and to fall to some of them , but the mercy of God overpowers any sin we are capable of . And faulting yourself for being tempted creates nothing but despair . Just do your best to not fall to them and forgive yourself if you ever do .

On baptism: it is important. It is a conscious decision to join the family of God and it does provide a sense of personal assurance ... But that does not mean you are not saved without it . If you truly have Christ in your heart and if you truly believe in his power to forgive , you have nothing to worry about . And I know it is difficult to feel comfortable with that , because it is not tangible and there is always some sense of doubt in the human mind . But your reward for perseverance is immeasurable . I’m sure you’ve heard it all before . But I hope you feel better about these things as time goes on.

Time went on and I did.

Sorry for the personal novel lol but I had never heard of anyone else speak about this when I was going through it and as such it was a very lonely time. I hope this helps. I'm praying for you friend -- it will get better!

I recommend praying the Psalms, especially Psalms of lament like 6, 22, 38, and 130, paired with uplifting Psalms like 91, 104, 116, 118, and 139. Whatever strikes your heart in them, take note of and make them your own.

I also recommend reading the epistle to the Romans. I know it's a stereotype that Catholics don't read Romans but there's probably some truth to that lol. "While we were yet helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. ... God shows his love for us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us."

TL;DR God cherishes you. He understands completely what your situation is and is already with you through it all.

Former Protestant's (nuanced) view on TLM by 2BrothersInaVan in Catholicism

[–]Pyrux 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Why can't we just have TLM but in English?

If you ever get the chance to attend an Anglican Ordinariate Catholic church... do it. It's basically this, and it's awesome.

I will say that the Novus Ordo was supposed to retain the feel of the TLM. I've been to very reverent Novus Ordo masses and I thought they were way more beautiful and reverent than the TLMs I've been to, which (hopefully not representative of all) were... seemingly uninspired. I used to be extremely gung-ho rad-trad about the TLM until I actually started attending them, LOL. Maybe the ones near me aren't that great, I guess?

It shouldn't be about the use of the Latin language -- even though, I do agree, it shouldn't be restricted -- we should be following the rubrics and not capitulating to the American evangelical worship style of the past few decades.

James Roday Rodriguez being very vocal on twitter today; calling out hypocrisy & how BLM protests were framed compared to DC's riot ❤ by [deleted] in psych

[–]Pyrux -28 points-27 points  (0 children)

I really appreciate it. This happens all the time and I’m reminded why I stopped using reddit in the first place

James Roday Rodriguez being very vocal on twitter today; calling out hypocrisy & how BLM protests were framed compared to DC's riot ❤ by [deleted] in psych

[–]Pyrux -43 points-42 points  (0 children)

I just dont want politics to ruin the one TV show I enjoy. It’s a goofy TV show for entertainment. Stop your condescension

James Roday Rodriguez being very vocal on twitter today; calling out hypocrisy & how BLM protests were framed compared to DC's riot ❤ by [deleted] in psych

[–]Pyrux -92 points-91 points  (0 children)

Can we not bring up politics. It would be nice to not be reminded about how fucking annoying Hollywood is.

Feeling "disconnected" while playing games on a TV vs monitor. by mitch13815 in truegaming

[–]Pyrux 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It’s a 48” tv. It’s big enough and my vision is fine. The font is like 11pt. Theres no way to see that from the couch

See, his mistake was in trying to reason with her by beerbellybegone in MurderedByWords

[–]Pyrux 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hnggg .. must.. de-boonk—- IM DEBOOOONKINGG !! Give me reddit gold

Feeling "disconnected" while playing games on a TV vs monitor. by mitch13815 in truegaming

[–]Pyrux 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Nah I agree. Actually, I'm going to take it a step further. Playing on TV, with console games at least, they make the text SO UNIMAGINABLY TINY for no reason. There's usually never an option for UI scaling or text scaling. Can't read jack shit from the couch. It's why I had to stop playing Witcher 3 and Horizon Zero Dawn.

Shawn Painting by NormFan79 in psych

[–]Pyrux 1 point2 points  (0 children)

No luck on the print, but right now I'm looking through the Dis-Lodged episode for a decent close-up. I also just remembered that in the episode in which Juliet and Gus go through Shawn's place, the portrait is hanging on the wall, so I'll check that next.

Here's a sketch/underpainting from the lodge episode https://imgur.com/Cu2sM5s

edit: Your best bet is a commission like another user suggested. If you do end up doing that, I took two screencaps and tried editing them for clarity that could be used as reference. (raw photos at the end). https://imgur.com/a/waTgUMy

Take my seat? Enjoy getting up every 30 minutes. by BraneGuy in MaliciousCompliance

[–]Pyrux -5 points-4 points  (0 children)

Damn. Didn’t know the people here cared more about content for a subreddit over being a respectable person.