hiya. i would consider myself a devout catholic but i don't agree with some of its teachings. i'm sick of reading from a script when i don't agree with whats written. yesterday in mass the local school kids were presented as the next to make first communion. i thought lovely they might be scared but they are part of the biggest family in the world. i can't remember which part of mass it was but the priest asked us we pray for this and that and the given response was "we do" i read from the same page as everyone else untill mother church "scripted" of course asked me! to pray for something i did'nt believe in, everybody said "we do" i on the otherhand said "no!".
then when it came time to offer each other the sign of peace i did'nt give the proper response i instead either nodded or said hello. i know its against all off christs teachings but isn't it time we werent forced to give a cursory handshake. it means nothing if not meant!.
2006-10-01 22:37:41 · 13 answers · asked by kremedcheeze 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
It sounds like you are questioning your teachings. Maybe it is time to stand back and look at the whole picture. Is this what you need in your life to get through your day? If it is, then accept what they do and say without questions. If it is not, then it may be time to move on and find what it is that helps you make it through you day. It is totally up to you.
2006-10-01 22:43:01 · answer #1 · answered by dxle 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Taken in context, the sign of peace is simply the logical outcome of what has already occured at Mass.
You're not required to shake hands if you don't care to.
A nod, or a smile, or simply saying, "Peace be with you." will suffice.
The reason Catholics do this is because, at that point in the Mass, Jesus has already become physically present on the altar, he's already approached God the Father on our behalf, and he's already obtained the necessary grace and forgiveness we need to truly call his Father our own.
Until Jesus came and died for us, all we deserved was God's wrath, and eternal damnation.
Now, thanks to Christ's great work, peace between God and man is a sacred reality, and it is Christ's saving work on the cross that we celebrate at every Mass.
It's certainly worth taking a moment, at the proper time, and sharing that joy with your friends.
Now we not only have God as Father, and Jesus as brother, but we are also privileged to receive the risen Jesus personally, body, blood, soul, and divinity ... alive and glorious ... in the most holy sacrament of the Eucharist.
If there's some other issue(s) here, send me an email with the details, and I'll be more than happy to help.
2006-10-02 00:07:53 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The prayer for you is the one we find in Mark 9 v. 24: "Lord, I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!" In fact, do you read your Bible? That is where you learn about God, rather than from church services. I would recommend that you try, preferably with good Bible reading notes to help you along.
As far as the church services are concerned, there are well thought out reasons for these traditions. The only service I can think of where people say "we do" are public baptisms, where the congregation are expressing their faith in words similar to those of the creed, in support of those being baptised, as an undertaking that as a church family they will support them in the faith in years to come. That shouldn't be a problem if you believe the wording of the creed.
When it comes to the sign of peace, many of us are rather glad when it's over, but think of it like this. Maybe some of those strangers around you are very lonely people. There are people about who go all day without speaking to anyone. Your handshake may be the only physical contact with a human being for them. 2 Corinthians 5 v. 25: "Christ died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him who died for them and was raised again." Many of the things which Christians are called upon to do are not for their benefit but for that of others.
2006-10-01 23:27:32 · answer #3 · answered by Doethineb 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you read the bible, didn't Jesus get upset at the religious teachers of the time who made up all these rules, which kept the people from knowing God in their hearts? I have catholic friends and I know they love christ as I do, but if you are having these feelings, maybe God is trying to nudge you into looking honestly at where you want to be. There is no shame in trying another type of church, if it feels wrong you can always go back.
2006-10-01 23:19:54 · answer #4 · answered by good tree 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I do believe that you are rebelling against the silliest things but that is your right. If you want to not participate in the sign of peace then don't, no one will really care if you do or not anyway. Sit back down and show that pouty face and let the whole church know that you are standing up for the right to rebel, it's used to it.
Then when you are ready for meat instead of milk tackle some of the bigger issues. There are plenty.
2006-10-01 22:45:31 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I was a Catholic too.........they were just too much in the way of the traditions of men for me....now I'm just a plain Christian, no denomination.
Just take a break, pick up a Holy Bible, sit back, read and enjoy. Then live your life according to the Word, not man.
BTW I don't see anything wrong with nodding and saying hello...if you don't want to shake hands, don't.
peace be with you...
2006-10-02 00:44:50 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
first off on the sign of peace - it's a sign not a handshake of peace - you canoffer whatever sign you'd like - it's offering peace to your neighbors, tha's all.
what the priests was having you pray for was that the children and family stay true and learn and grow in their faith, if your heart wasn't in it - why did you respond? if you don't beliebe in the Communion of the catholic church then to what are you devoted? you say you were praying for somthing in which you didn't believe and it was a first communion thing, hence the assumption that you do not believe in the fullness of Communion. realize, that is one of the basic tennets of the denominiation. if that is not one of your beliefs, please speak to your priest for guidance.
2006-10-01 22:48:42 · answer #7 · answered by Marysia 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I had a peace sign but it disappeared into a square
2016-03-27 01:52:06 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's what's wrong with the Catholic Faith right now, they are SO busy trying to control people!!!! You don't have to give a hand shake if you don't want to, and more importantly, If you disagree with something then you should stand by it until proven other wise.
The Catholic Faith is not deal with Christ anyway. They deal with power and control.
And if you want a real sign for peace, try helping God out by Loving your Neighbor as you love yourself.
God bless!!!!
2006-10-01 22:45:09 · answer #9 · answered by dreamangel20051 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Greetings.
True faith lies in the heart, not found in a form of mere words, however old and revered they might prove to be.
As a young Christian, I too questioned much of the 'form of service' and continue to do so today.
Now I am no longer young I nevertheless remain strong in my Christian Faith, but have grown into a freethinking one.
2006-10-02 03:38:21 · answer #10 · answered by lordofthetarot 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋