I dont get the Catholic channel?

Question

So I was watching the Catholic channel and so some guy in a robe swinging some object and then some nun's started to chant a mantra. Then I turned to it an hour late and saw some more guys in some more fancy outfits doing rite of passage.

Then I flipped to the evangelical channel and saw a preacher talking about the importance of marrage and healthy relationships between men and women and looked at what Christ taught about it and I could easily get something out of that.

Everytime Ive attended a Catholic mass with a friend or watch the Catholic channel it just seemed to stiff and ceremonial. Do any Catholics get spiritual fullfillment out of that religion or is it just about tradition and culture.

Answer 1

You are too involved in the flesh. You need to see with your heart, understand the deep symbolism. Feel the presence of GOD, talk to GOD with your heart. I mean even if you get uncomfortable in a pew for one hour out of our busy week, surely you can see that there's deep meaning in all that is done in the liturgy. If only you would by faith acknowledge the presence of THE LORD at the Mass, particularly in the sense perceptible sign of the HOLY EUCHARIST. Though JESUS is there SPIRITually in the HOLY SPIRIT as well, therefore JESUS is present BODY, BLOOD, SOUL AND DIVINITY at every CATHOLIC MASS.

Matthew 18:20  For where there are two or three gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

LOVE your neighbor as yourself.
Amen.

LOVE your neighbor as yourself.
Amen.

:responsorial edit: it is the best weekend to tune into EWTN they are have a special. Please check out their web site at www.ewtn.com under television you can get the broadcast streaming live if you don't have cable tv or satellite but have a computer . ..

Answer 2

You're right..sometimes there are shows on EWTN that are difficult to understand if you're not familiar with Catholicism. But if you are at all confused, just start asking questions (of your Catholic friends, people on this forum), and things will become a little more understandable. A great point was made below, that there is a difference in the Catholic Mass and a Protestant service, in that the latter will be more about teaching, whereas there is much more teaching outside of the Mass. Some of the shows like "The Journey Home" are excellent for understanding more of this dialogue..

Answer 3

I LOVE EWTN and I LOVE the Church. I was a protestant but am now Catholic. There is so much beauty and wisdom and truth in the Church that at times I can’t express the joy I feel for Her.

If you don’t understand some of the thing you see on EWTN, you should do some reading, search the net about Catholicism. There is a reason for everything that we do, and most of the rituals and ceremonies practiced are very, very old.

If you keep watching EWTN, you’ll eventually start to catch on also. They have tons of educational programs that I watch; learn something new every time.

God bless and take care.

Answer 4

*Is Catholic*

One could rightly turn the question you asked around and wonder if Protestants get anything out of their religion or is it just about tradition and culture?

The differences between Protestantism and Catholicism aside, you will find that Protestantism is very cultural especially if you compare say High Church Anglican to Southern Baptist, to African Pentecostal. All have unique cultural aspects.

When you are looking at Catholic Liturgy, you are looking at cultural forms that date back to Judaism that have been modified over the centuries. So it is very foreign to what you are accustomed to.

Catholicism is essentially a whole body religion. That is worship is not simply verbalizations, but it involves physical activity. Secondly, a Protestant liturgy tends to be very heavily focused on teaching as the most important point is the sermon. Catholic liturgy is not focused on teaching...it is focused on worship and the sacrifice of the Eucharist. Teaching of the faith is to be done primarily outside of Mass. So you can see there is this whole other layer to Catholicism that what you normally experience -- you are expecting it to be about a bunch of teaching but the Catholic Mass doesn't do that - its focus is on the Eucharist.

In order to get fulfillment out of Catholicism you have to be engaged in the whole of Catholicism. The Mass is only part of it and if you are looking for a bunch of teaching you have to look outside of the Mass.

Answer 5

I have looked into many Christian religions and I have found the Catholic to be the fullest and most fulfilling as well as the truest and original one.

You need to watch EWTN when there are discussion or presentation programs(which are the majority of programs)Check out The Journey Home

Get the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
Catholicism has produced a rich and stimulating intellectual and spiritual heritage

Answer 6

To be honest, this isn't the best weekend to watch EWTN. They are having a special service at the station. Please watch it again next week.

There are many programs on EWTN that will rival what you saw on the evengelical channels - trust me, I watch them both (more of the Catholic channel for obvious reasons).

I have been to all kinds of services, and I honestly believe that being Catholic is the greatest thing in the world. I get so much fullfillment out of it that I could never express in words, at least in this forum.

Please, check out the Catholic channel again - I promise that you will be rewarded.

Answer 7

>>Do any Catholics get spiritual fullfillment out of that religion or is it just about tradition and culture.<<

I find Catholicism very fulfilling. Many of EWTN's shows are of the preaching kind, and there are also the homilies during Mass. Check the schedule if you are interested.
http://www.ewtn.com/tv/index.asp

Answer 8

to me...the catholic channel seems to be geared more towards...catholics. so although you may see nothing but men in robes, most catholics, "most" should be able to understand whats going on. catholicism is very much into tradition, a tradition that dates back to the time of christ, so if it seems boring or dry, its because it was created for people who lived hundreds of years ago. 2 thousand years actually. but there are a lot of books out there to explain things, and once you understand, your eyes and heart will be open and you will be able to experience the true and living God.

Answer 9

Watching a few minutes of EWTN is not going to answer any questions for you. :)
There are several great programs on EWTN that would show you far more if you're interested - programs that deal with life today.

It's a very beautiful faith, actually, and if you want to know about it, you would need to do some reading and such.

http://www.salvationhistory.com/

http://www.ewtn.com/faith/teachings/index.htm

http://www.chnetwork.org/scotthconv.htm

http://www.fisheaters.com/responses.html

Answer 10

So you got less out of the actual physical presence of our risen Lord and Savior during the Mass He personally instituted, in the Church He personally founded, than you did from listening to some member of a manmade church unauthorized by Christ, telling you his personal opinions about marriage, based on what he thinks the Bible says? Man, you need to get your priorities in order!