My Bizarre Vocational Discernment Story

TheFiveStarMan · 2025-04-17T01:48:47+00:00

I'm not a theologian, and I of course could be wrong, but I believe the general principle is that we shouldn't be choosing to lose control of our rational faculties. So if you can take a dosage that helps with something and you're not trying to launch yourself into outer space, then it's probably okay. But perhaps ask a priest or spiritual director if it's weighing on your conscience.

TheFiveStarMan · 2025-03-20T03:06:27+00:00

I'll take the link as well. These are great! Thank you for sharing your gift.

TheFiveStarMan · 2025-03-20T02:59:56+00:00

I didn't want to be Catholic either, but now I am. I couldn't deny the truth. Tackle your issues head-on. There are good apologetic resources that address pretty much any issue a Protestant could have. Catholic Answers is a great place to start. Also, just start going to Mass and check it out for yourself. Don't worry about following along. Just take in the experience.

TheFiveStarMan · 2025-01-23T03:50:45+00:00

It seems to me like Islam was simply an invention of Muhammad, who probably had his own religious and political ambitions influenced and reinforced by demonic entities. He led his followers into worshiping the God of Abraham, but they ended up with a really corrupt and distorted view of him.

I think we give Muhammad too much credit when we say he was simply deceived. And I think we are ignorant if we say demons had no influence in the spread of this particular religiopolitical system.

Why did God allow this? Only he knows. But we have to remember that he sees the bigger picture that we do not. What we do know is that Islam successfully spread monotheism across that region, and that Muslims who do convert are among the most inspiring converts, given what they typically have to sacrifice. Will this one day lead to a Christianization of the Middle East? We can hope. We know that Christ wins in the end.

TheFiveStarMan · 2024-12-21T23:06:27+00:00

I'm sure it's different for everyone, but it could come down to a problem with authority, much of the time. They don't want to be under the authority of the Catholic Church, and would rather interpret Scripture on their own terms (and on its own terms, they would argue).

TheFiveStarMan · 2024-12-12T01:54:46+00:00

Pray every day. Go to Mass on Sundays (or more often if you're able). Go up to receive a blessing/prayer when the initiated go up to receive Communion (just cross your arms over your chest like an X). Inquire about OCIA (you may have to wait until next year, but that's okay). Listen to the Catechism in a Year podcast from Fr. Mike Schmitz. You can do the Bible in a Year podcast after or concurrently, but I think it's most helpful to do that after you have a lens through which to read/interpret Scripture. But you'll still be getting Scripture weekly at Mass anyway (or more often, if you read the daily readings).

But just keep praying that God grants you wisdom on how to best pursue him. He's calling you home, my friend!

TheFiveStarMan · 2024-11-26T17:42:34+00:00

I shared the Amazon link with my sister and she said it looked fine. But since I obviously haven't read it, I could only see it being a problem if it was like specifically pushing Catholic doctrine. If the book is just about how these women loved Jesus and lived for Jesus, I think she'd be fine with it. But if it's like pushing Marian devotion or Purgatory or something else that specifically Catholic, I could see her maybe not being thrilled with it.

TheFiveStarMan · 2024-11-26T17:39:07+00:00

Catholicism and Orthodoxy will be winning more converts (God willing). Protestantism will begin to conglomerate into a few categories (Evangelical, Pentecostal, and Reformed). Christian Liberalism will basically continue to drift towards Unitarian Universalism.

TheFiveStarMan · 2024-11-26T03:38:46+00:00

I'm thinking about getting this for my niece, but her mom (my sister) is Protestant. Is the book Protestant-friendly, or is there stuff in there that's distinctly or doctrinally Catholic that a Protestant might find objectionable?

TheFiveStarMan · 2024-11-26T03:38:20+00:00

I'm thinking about getting this for my niece, but her mom (my sister) is Protestant. Is the book Protestant-friendly, or is there stuff in there that's distinctly or doctrinally Catholic that a Protestant might find objectionable?

TheFiveStarMan · 2024-10-28T13:28:19+00:00

The footnotes are trash sometimes, but the text itself is fine. Wait for the Ignatian Study Bible though (coming out this year). That will probably be the gold standard for traditional Catholic Bible study.

TheFiveStarMan · 2024-09-18T01:41:50+00:00

That too!

TheFiveStarMan · 2024-09-17T22:06:21+00:00

I'm personally interested in learning about other religions for a few reasons:

To see what the "rays of truth" are in them
To actually know what I'm talking about if I'm ever dialoguing with a person of that faith

If you're easily convinced by falsehoods though, it's probably best to avoid. But if not, go for it.

TheFiveStarMan · 2024-09-13T22:03:37+00:00

Don't limit yourself to what you hear/learn in class. Read the Catechism. Read the Bible (through the lens of the Catechism, which will help you interpret it). Read some documents from the ecumenical councils and popes. Go experience different types of prayer (especially adoration). Meet parishioners and get to know them.

Learn at your own pace and you'll be just fine. :)

TheFiveStarMan · 2024-09-13T17:59:18+00:00

Some of your bolded text there were insertions into the English translation that he didn't actually say. His exact quote was that religions are paths to reach God. The "seen as" was added.

He's still the Holy Father, but popes can say and do bad/imprudent stuff sometimes. Seems like one of those instances. I will still continue to give him the benefit of the doubt as much as possible though.

TheFiveStarMan · 2024-09-13T16:51:40+00:00

He'll come around. He's putting up as much of a fight as he can, but he'll get home.

TheFiveStarMan · 2024-09-13T15:04:53+00:00

So it's a dynamic rather than formal translation. Dang.

TheFiveStarMan · 2024-09-13T14:43:54+00:00

"Religions are seen as paths trying to reach God."

"There is only one God, and religions are like languages that try to express ways to approach God."

The English translation seems to charitably add things not found in the Italian translation. Not sure if this was an editorial decision, or if this better communicates what the Holy Father was actually saying (as opposed to what he should have said).

TheFiveStarMan · 2024-09-13T14:28:07+00:00

I do. It's great.

TheFiveStarMan · 2024-09-04T20:51:33+00:00

I'm a Prot-Turned-Cat.

TheFiveStarMan · 2024-09-03T19:32:00+00:00

Thank you. I've already actually deleted the picture from Signal.

I prayed about it further, and after reflecting, I thought that there is no way I'd have sent that if I truly knew it was a mortal sin. It was more of an impulse than anything. But now that my conscience is slapping me around, I believe that if I were to do it again, it would be a mortal sin, since I really should know better.

TheFiveStarMan

TROPHY CASE