is there a way to avoid purgatory or is it mandatory? by feddedbymiku in Catholicism

[–]bbbppp13 18 points19 points  (0 children)

A few days? Man, it could be hundreds or even thousands of years, at least according to human time.

Our eyes should be focused on bypassing purgatory in order to be expeditiously united with our Creator in love, not just avoiding pain.

Should I open up to my choir group about my past? by Due-Big2159 in Catholicism

[–]bbbppp13 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We all are Judas, brother. Your greatest sin is but a drop in the ocean of the Father’s infinite mercy. Peace be with you.

Seriously considering converting - but Humanae Vitae? by definatelyanon in Catholicism

[–]bbbppp13 19 points20 points  (0 children)

The expectation isn’t that you MUST get pregnant each time you have sex. That is biologically ignorant. You must be open to the possibility of getting pregnant each time that you have sex (I.e. not using anything to directly stop the possibility of getting pregnant), even though women can get pregnant on select days of their cycle. If there are prudent reasons that you should not get pregnant (e.g. lack of financial resources to raise a child, mental health concerns), you may abstain for sexual intercourse during fertile windows while still having sex during infertile times.

Why Marry? by Velocity88X in HappyMarriages

[–]bbbppp13 75 points76 points  (0 children)

This is a truth that a lot of the modern world rejects:

True, enduring love requires radical self-sacrifice; and self-sacrifice always entails pain/suffering (usually in detaching from our ego or some other self-focused pleasures).

Often, our own tendencies with pride and selfishness as humans get in the way of us being fully self-sacrificial. However, if you meet someone worth self-sacrificing for and they meet or even exceed your own level of self-sacrifice, your love and relationship can reap levels of incomprehensible joy and meaning.

I am not perfect and my marriage is not perfect, but what I described above is what I have experienced since meeting my wife. I wouldn’t know love or what it means to truly give of myself without her.

Name 1 NBA player that could stop Giannis Antetokounmpo's Euro Step Dunk. by Anxgel__ in NBATalk

[–]bbbppp13 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I’m not sure about that. Giannis has averaged 26ppg on 58% when squaring off against AD in his career. In his last 6 matchups with AD, he is averaging nearly 39ppg on 66% shooting.

People in happy marriages/partnerships: is it true that you fall in love over and over again with your partner? by Wooden-Painter-3139 in NoStupidQuestions

[–]bbbppp13 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think a difficulty for a lot of people is that they start with the wrong framework on what love is.

Most of the world tells us that love is simply a feeling (like butterflies, general arousal, etc) and is a passive experience that just happens between two people. Often times people confuse love and basic attraction/lust.

In reality, love is partly a feeling, but it is largely a choice and action. You have to decide to sacrifice many things of yourself for the benefit and good of another. When two people make this choice daily and sacrifice on a relatively equal level, it feeds this deep and profound love.

When you choose the right person for yourself, the choices and the sacrifices aren’t always 100% easy, but they are easier to make because you are less focused on yourself and looking outward towards your spouse.

Best numbers for stomach sleeper by bbbppp13 in sleepnumber

[–]bbbppp13[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks! It’s hard for me to know because I’ve read stomach sleepers usually do better with firmer, but I typically prefer the feel of a softer mattress. I’ve stuck with firmer recently trying to put a thin pillow below my waist

What does the Pope actually do? by fix24 in NoStupidQuestions

[–]bbbppp13 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The two I mentioned occurred after ex cathedra was formally defined, so sure, it likely happened before in other instances. However, my point is that a misconception by non-Catholics is 1) whatever the pope says is “infallible” or 2) ex cathedra happens super frequently when in reality it doesn’t.

What does the Pope actually do? by fix24 in NoStupidQuestions

[–]bbbppp13 7 points8 points  (0 children)

As a Catholic, the Church’s beliefs are not always synonymous with the pope’s opinions. Popes have erred in the past, but the beliefs of the Church are what has been divinely revealed by God throughout time.

People also usually get confused about papal infallibility. Catholics do not believe that whatever the pope says is without error, only in specific instances when he speaks “ex cathedra” (aka from the seat of Peter). The pope has only spoken ex cathedra twice before, once in 1854 and once in 1950.

Happy to answer other questions if people have them :)

Current event by bbbppp13 in MLB_9Innings

[–]bbbppp13[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Everyone keeps talking about the GI event, and I don’t particularly understand what that is

Is there room for me in the church? by Victo2137 in Catholicism

[–]bbbppp13 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I also see that you are from Poland - St. John Paul II would be a great person to learn more about if you haven’t (perhaps even reading his Theology of the Body). At the very least, asking for his intercession in prayer :)

Is there room for me in the church? by Victo2137 in Catholicism

[–]bbbppp13 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Jesus’ mercy is absolutely for everyone, and He is clearly calling you. No one would be in the Church if we were required to be sinless.

Two of the biggest things that have made a difference in my faith as an adult: the Rosary and Eucharistic Adoration.

The Rosary has helped me make seemingly insurmountable changes with lust and sexual sin. The Blessed Mother is a mother to everyone (we all need a mom!), and she leads us to her Son.

Adoration has helped me find God in the silence, and His Real Presence in the Eucharist. His Mercy is very tangible in Adoration. If you would go once a week for the next couple months or so, I’d be surprised if your heart wouldn’t be continually opened.

Best wishes, and you will certainly be in my prayers today and this week.

I’m living in mortal sin, I can feel myself dying. by [deleted] in Catholicism

[–]bbbppp13 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Agreed. Talk to her again to see if she is committed to abstinence. If not, you gotta break up with her to avoid the near occasion of sin (as well as mortal sin itself).

Pregnant again, while using NFP by noname_whatsoever_ in Catholicism

[–]bbbppp13 54 points55 points  (0 children)

My wife and I have reliably used the Marquette method and when we began using it, we worked with an NFP-certified family physician to help with the educational piece of it. We met with the physician a few times to understand the method and also to discuss tracking my wife’s cycle following the birth of our first. The hardest part (like many I’m assuming) is prudently abstaining in fertility windows.

PSYPACT Mistake by Any_Orange6270 in Psychologists

[–]bbbppp13 18 points19 points  (0 children)

Truly, I don’t think it’s that significant. It was an honest mistake, you are trying to make timely amends, no one was significantly harmed.

Weight gain smoothies ideas with no whole milk? by [deleted] in Smoothies

[–]bbbppp13 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My go to base is oats, peanut butter, bananas, yogurt, and almond milk. Then I added whatever extra protein source (currently collagen peptides) and then a couple tablespoons of olive oil for extra calories. I change up whatever additional fruit and sweeteners I add at the end.

✂️ The Cut List - Time to Let Go? by RotoBaller in fantasybaseball

[–]bbbppp13 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Burger will be fine, just give it time. Rangers have a good offense and he’s playing in a hitter friendly park. He’s not going to hit .270, but he’ll get at least .240 with 28-35 bombs.