SHJIHM :: Catholic Discussions :: How Do We Know The Catholic Church Is The Church Which Jesus Christ Founded? ~ Runboard
"There are not over a hundred people in the United States who hate the Catholic Church. There are millions, however, who hate what they wrongly believe to be the Catholic Church, which is, of course, quite a different thing." -Bishop Fulton J. Sheen
Placating terrorists, meeting with dictators, compassion for murderers... but no humanity for the unborn... incredible.
OOT
Re: How Do We Know The Catholic Church Is The Church Which Jesus Christ Founded? I don't know if anyone finds it strange, but I often read through old threads as a means of reflection. A re-education as it were.
One comment that really struck me was Nat's 'there is no unity in faith'.
After all that we spoke of, and discussed, I find myself hoping, praying and wishing that people could be united without necessarily believing the exact same things. Isn't the main thing that we try to live with love in our hearts, and try to make the world a better place?
It is nonsensical, I know, but I feel such pain right now and division. Some days I have these visions of the world that almost bring me to tears, and I really don't know what to do about them. Lately it just seems to be getting worse.
I had a dream of being crucified again, the other night... more intense than before, and I woke up with a tear stained face, unable to open my eyes completely... from that vantage point, I was looking over the world, but it was the modern world... and I wept. People fighting, but not only that - people passing each other on the street, ignoring each other.
It was like the deepest horror I could imagine, while in the waking world it would have been seemingly nothing.
Is it natural to feel so lost?
Thank you for listening. I know that we do not always agree, but you folks have never failed to give me good counsel, and I needed to tell someone.
Re: How Do We Know The Catholic Church Is The Church Which Jesus Christ Founded? A very powerful dream my friend. Thank you for sharing this with us. Was your dream clear as to why you were being crucified? Was it actually you being crucified?
Division causes pain and strife. Another reason why Jesus wanted one flock. As one flock under His Church, we are guaranteed to receive His Word in the fullness of the Truth. Perhaps this division you feel and this dream is prompting you to seek out the Truth of the Catholic Church?
Think about it.....
--- "My Sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.
Re: How Do We Know The Catholic Church Is The Church Which Jesus Christ Founded? I am not sure, my friend.
When I was being crucified I was not myself. It was as if I were Jesus Himself. I could feel such overwhelming emotion, so intense that I really could not make out what it was, in essence.
As I had stated, there was that overwhelming feeling of division, and sadness. Can you imagine yourself being crucified in a modern scenario, and seeing people just walk on by? It was as if it was there before them, plain to see, and the whole world seemed to be looking on.
I can still feel some kind of cramp in my hands as if there is something in there. I can still almost see the indifferent people passing by each other. And yet I was united with Christ in purpose, or so it seemed. But what in this world can get people to see these core tenets and values, the why of the crucifixion itself?
Such a haunting feeling. And I apologize if much of this seems so hodge podge. The horrific thing is that I have had similar dreams in the past where I was Lucifer... only not in the way you would think. Troubling visions. A symptom of a troubled mind, maybe, but it seemed so real.
One thing I do remember clearly was a thought of 'why did it have to come to this?' Kind of like, why did this have to happen to make them see the error of their ways?
Does the idea of Christ dying to save people from the dark side of their souls in a day to day lifetime sort of way make sense? The idea that people would crucify a man that did no wrong to anyone simply to try and maintain their own power?
I am not sure if it is a revelation to seek counsel or truth from the Catholic Church, but I do know that I found this board for a reason. Please don't give up on me, even if I sound this depraved.
Re: How Do We Know The Catholic Church Is The Church Which Jesus Christ Founded? Well, Laughlin, one quick look at your dream and/or nightmare, and you reminded me so very much of the German mystic, Anne Catherine Emmerich, whose visions were reportedly used by Mel Gibson to produce his Passion film.
Re: How Do We Know The Catholic Church Is The Church Which Jesus Christ Founded?
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When I was being crucified I was not myself. It was as if I were Jesus Himself.
I thought as much. I do not think this was an ordinary dream.
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And yet I was united with Christ in purpose, or so it seemed.
Of course you would be. You are united to Him in many ways
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But what in this world can get people to see these core tenets and values, the why of the crucifixion itself?
Possibly noting but a sign from God in the end.
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Such a haunting feeling. And I apologize if much of this seems so hodge podge.
No apology necessary my friend. We are all here for you.
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The horrific thing is that I have had similar dreams in the past where I was Lucifer... only not in the way you would think. Troubling visions. A symptom of a troubled mind, maybe, but it seemed so real.
Yes, they do. I have been troubled with what I feel are supernatural events. They are truly terrifying.
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I am not sure if it is a revelation to seek counsel or truth from the Catholic Church, but I do know that I found this board for a reason.
Pray about it. Ask God for clarity in this issue.
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Please don't give up on me, even if I sound this depraved.
We are all here for you Lauchlin. And we are glad to know you.
--- "My Sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.
Re: How Do We Know The Catholic Church Is The Church Which Jesus Christ Founded?
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One thing I do remember clearly was a thought of 'why did it have to come to this?' Kind of like, why did this have to happen to make them see the error of their ways?
I admit that I have not been following this thread recently. I have still been very busy and I thought it was probably another discussion of Catholic theology. I am absolutely blown away by this and I am perhaps reading more meaning into it than I should. You say your dream is set in modern times and you understand it to be about the indifference people feel for eachother today?
Re: How Do We Know The Catholic Church Is The Church Which Jesus Christ Founded? Thank you as always, Tony. When I am in a better state of mind, perhaps I will elaborate on some of the other dream things.
To Micheal - that seemed to be an aspect of it. Everyone just walking along, ignoring a crucifixion before their eyes, and ignoring each other, too. The division among them standing out in stark relief - some kind of invisible barriers between them, maybe.
Indifference to each other, indifference to the dark side of man, indifference to the sacrifices made to show them these things. And that profound sadness... silly though it may seem, I weep in thinking about it.
I could make all sorts of interpretations, but I don't want to dilute it... for once in my life, I don't want to break this down.
Re: How Do We Know The Catholic Church Is The Church Which Jesus Christ Founded? The modern condition, Lauchlin. We have forgotten everything in the belief that our reason can lead us to utopia.
Our affections have grown cold. Wars, famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in places.
Re: How Do We Know The Catholic Church Is The Church Which Jesus Christ Founded?
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I don't know if anyone finds it strange, but I often read through old threads as a means of reflection. A re-education as it were.
Nope, I don't find it strange. I've revisited and revived old threads a time or two. However, one may find it strange how many times I will reread my own posts, LOL!
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One comment that really struck me was Nat's 'there is no unity in faith'.
After all that we spoke of, and discussed, I find myself hoping, praying and wishing that people could be united without necessarily believing the exact same things. Isn't the main thing that we try to live with love in our hearts, and try to make the world a better place?
Well, perhaps saying "no unity" is a bit strong, for I know that most Christians do at least have some common ground to work from. I have 3 girl friends whom I consider to be close friends, and none of them are Catholic. I can at least talk with them about God and Jesus and prayer, etc., in general terms, pray for their intentions and ask them to pray for mine. Of course it is important for us to love one another and help one another as best we can in this life. But more important than that, I think, is to stand up for the Faith, because it is through the Church that we may be saved. And the greatest love we can have for others is to live out our Faith in word and actions and do what we can to help them see the Truth. Even if that never happens, it is necessary for our own salvation that we do so.
Matthew 10: 34-35 Do not think that I came to send peace upon earth: I came not to send peace, but the sword. For I came to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
We also have to recognize, as difficult as it may be to accept, that, because of man's fallen nature, there will be no true peace on this earth until Our Lord comes. We must consider that our humanity leads us at times to create animosity where there doesn't have to or shouldn't be any.
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It is nonsensical, I know, but I feel such pain right now and division.
It is not nonsensical, Lauchlin. I think we all feel that kind of pain. I believe that, for most of us, that comes from our love for God and one another. I think one of the most beautiful teachings of the Catholic Church is that we can unite our sufferings with the redemptive sufferings of Christ. Through Christ, our suffering has merit.
It is quite a powerful dream you had, and I am not sure what to say about it. Have you ever considered talking with a priest?
I've revisited and revived old threads a time or two. However, one may find it strange how many times I will reread my own posts, LOL!
