I drove through white-out conditions, in a foot of snow already on the ground, to get to mass this morning. I was scared, but asked God to get me to and from mass - and he did. The parish I belong to is 3 miles from my house. I was actually too afraid to drive those three miles and instead went to the church one mile away. It certainly wasn't crowded!
My entry into Catholic Blogging was through Ros (Shadowlands). I started reading her blog first. (I am very sad when she stops blogging, as she has now.) I was surprised when I saw her say that some of the other blogs frightened her. I am beginning to understand. I hope it is a good thing, but I am not sure.
This morning at mass, the deacon gave the homily. The gospel reading was about being the light of the world and the salt of the earth. He used that to talk about being a good person.
You know, I used to believe that being "a good person" was good enough to get me to Eternal Life in heaven with all the Angels and Saints. Not so much anymore.
But I do know that Jesus died for my sins and I don't want that to be a wasted effort in my case.
Mary Christine, what is it that has frightened you? Perhaps you'd rather not talk about it on the blog, but you can email me if you'd rather. If you don't want to discuss it all, that's ok, too, I understand :-D
ReplyDeleteI hope you do get some added graces for making the effort to get to Mass in a white-out.
I am keeping Ros in my prayers.
I was going to ask the same thing but was hesitant because I didn't want to upset you. Whatever you decided to post, or not, remember Isaiah 12:2 Take care.
ReplyDeleteI get frightened by those so-called Catholic blogs that continually moan about how bad the Church is because they sow bitterness into good people's hearts. I have thought a lot about this experience to ensure it is fear and not just anger I am feeling. I think it is fear because I just want to run away and hide from the Catholic blogsphere, or take a back seat and view it from afar without participating too much.
ReplyDeleteThanks everyone. Actually it is all the hell's fire and damnation that scares me half to death. I think it is good to know that hell is a possibility and purgatory is a blessing - but all the talk of suffering in a lake of fire scares me.
ReplyDeleteMary-C, if it was only a mile away, perhaps it would have been better to walk through the snow. Of course it would have taken a bit longer, but it would probably have been safer.
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty sure Ros will come back. She's done this before. She goes through moments of suffering. Prayers are definitely needed for her.
I read this post the other day and was wondering what scares you so I'm glad you commented on it. I've always wondered what exactly scared Ros, too, but she wasn't specific. I think the thought of hell scares most people to a degree. Like you, I trust
ReplyDeletein Jesus' dying on the Cross for my sins and my hope lies in Him. His love for us is immeasurable.
I hope Ros comes back, too.