I was a Catholic, but I did not know Jesus?
I was born and raised Catholic, but I did not know Jesus. What I mean is, I knew him but I did not know him personally. As a Catholic I was always taught to pray to Mary to come to Jesus, and when I sin, I confess my sins to a priest and would give a series of prayers to pray like the Apostles creed and so many of our Fathers, and many Hail Mary, and then the following Sunday is taken from the Holy Eucharist, they are forgiven, until the next time.It was not until early 1970 that I received Christ into my heart and discovered what he really intended to have my forgiveness of sins for ever, never again to be remembered through his death on the cross and what it means to be "Born Again" and that his Spirit can have a personal relationship with the creator of the universe.
This concept is at the heart of Jesus' teaching. In John 3:3 Jesus says: "… I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, that unless a person is born again (again, from above), you can not ever see (know, know, and experience), the Kingdom of God. "(Amplified Bible) John 1:3-7
Please do not misunderstand, I do not hate Catholics, I love my brothers and sisters of the Catholic faith, and I do not agree with their man made doctrines and traditions. I would take heart from other Catholics who posted it and consider a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, there is nothing to lose but more to gain.
- The Catholic Church is God / Jesus Christ? Do they hold the doctrine of Jesus Christ?
- If I Go To A Catholic Church Am I Allowed To Worship Just God And Jesus Christ Rather Than Pray To Mary?
- Questions about Mary Magdalene with Jesus, the Last Supper, marriage ~ Why so hard to believe?
- Why have a relationship with Mary but not Jesus?
- Is this true .. A Catholic priest Confession Etc can be, so no matter what gets in Heaven?
Congrats. Keep progressing in the kingdom.
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My experience was quite opposite to yours. I became an atheist. Where a lot of my high school friends became a born-again Christian, I went to Bible study with them and I learned about Jesus, but never connected with me. I tried again in college and even has a minor in religion, but what others came up for me was a big "nothing" out there and religions was a good idea and a set of rules to follow.
I had a personal encounter with the Lord when I was 24, and from that moment I could no longer deny its existence. In my previous studies, I knew I needed to be a Christian, because all other religions are trying to get humanity to God. Christianity is only about God comes to humanity, and that was exactly my experience.
However, after several years in some evangelical Christian churches, is the stagnation of my faith and I was frustrated. I needed something deeper and more profound, and I asked the Lord for help desperately.
Over time the Holy Spirit led me to Catholicism, and I have confirmed in many ways and therefore "good fruit".
I think as a child is taught to go through the motions, but nobody ever took the time to ask questions and that can * really * know Jesus. This is not the fault of the Catholic Church, which provides all the means. It was their parents fault, mainly because parents are the primary educators of children, and also because of other religious teachers (not even going to the convention?).
I have three children, ages 9, 6 and 4, we all know and love Jesus and He in a very real way. They know Jesus died for his sins … resurrected and know that promises them the gift of eternal life. They know everything that you lost as a child … because I make sure they do.
I hope you take another, closer look at the adult Catholicism Cathlicism because it is about having a personal relationship with Jesus
<<I was Catholic but didn't know Jesus?>>
Let's see how much of this misunderstanding is' really 'the Church of the fault.
<<I was born and raised Catholic, but I did not know Jesus. What I mean is, I knew him but I did not know him personally. As a Catholic I was always taught to pray to Mary to come to Jesus,>>
To be taught intercessory prayer, yes. But is not intercessory prayer taught ONLY!
I mean, nobody is seriously suggesting you taught the Our Father? That prayer is not to Mary - it is directly to God.
<<and when sinned, went to confess my sins to a priest and would give a series of prayers to pray like the Apostles creed and our many Fathers, and many Marys, Ave and then following>>
See - I told you! He does know the Our Father. The Church has taught that when one commits a mortal sin, must be absolved by the Holy Sacrament of Reconciliation. During which the priest will give a penance. Often, this is a series of prison sentences, a noveva, Stations of the Cross, perhaps.
<<and the following Sunday after taking the Santa Eucharist, then forgiven,>>
Wrong. You are mixing the teachings on sin. Mortal sins can only forigven through Reconciliation. Until that happens, a person in mortal sin can not receive Communion, lest she defile the Eucharist. Once one has repented and received absolution through the Sacrament of Reconciliation, he / she can receive the Eucharist at Mass
What is venial sin is forgiven, if one repents to receive the Eucharist. I often wonder how many people know - that venial sins are forgiven after receiving the Holy Eucharist. One does not have to confess venial sins in confession, but there's nothing wrong with that. Most people, even if you think otherwise, commit venial sins - which is still going to have his confession and forgiveness of venial sins, which is independent.
<<until next time.It was not until early 1970 that I received Christ into my heart and discovered what he really meant to have my sins forgiven forever, never to be remembered once more through his death on the cross and what it means to be "Born Again" and that his Spirit can have a personal relationship with the creator of the universe.>>
You may be surprised, but Catholics are born again in water and the Spirit in Baptism. It is possible to have a personal relationship with Jesus from that moment.
<<It is the central teaching of Jesus. In John 3:3 Jesus says: "… I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, that unless a person is born again (again, from above), you can not ever see (know, know, and experience), the Kingdom of God. "(Amplified Bible) John 1:3-7>>
You quote Scripture, but misinterpret. "Unless a man be born again" … For these words of Jesus declaring the necessity of baptism.
<<Please the misunderstand, No I do not hate Catholics, I love my brothers and sisters of the Catholic faith, I not only agree with their man made doctrines and traditions.>>
The problem is not the Church. The problem, if you can be blunt, it's you. You do not understand Catholicism when he was Catholic. Do you seriously expect any reasonable person to believe that somehow it as non-Catholics?
Speaking of "man-made", it has dripped on doctrines and traditions. " . . you do not get to on their own. She was told that by other people (man-made?) And are merely regurgitating garden variety anti Catholicsism. So I do not think that when you say, "I do not hate Catholics."
<<I Others pray that Catholics will take to heart what I've published it and a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, there is nothing to perder, but more gain.>>
No. It is what they need the prayers of the Catholics.