during the last day of a novena, i attended a catholic mass. i didn't feel spiritual or close to Jesus at all. there was a lot of ritual that i didn't understand the point of. i am not criticizing, i am just curious why i didn't feel anything spiritual and what i could've been missing out on?
2007-07-28 13:15:47 · 16 answers · asked by KellyKapowski 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Obviously, you don't understand the theology behind the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass that's why. Are you really a Catholic?
Answer this question: What is the priest in the Mass?
May the Lord's peace be with you!
2007-07-28 13:25:24 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The answer to your question can be found within the question itself. You said, "there was a lot of ritual that I didn't understand the point of."
If you don't understand the point of the rituals in the mass, how can you possibly expect to feel spiritual as a result of going to the mass?
You get out of mass what you put into it. So long as you do not understand the mass, you are not going to get anything out of it.
Study the mass, it's history, it's development, the origin of the rituals - acquire and understanding of the mass and you will begin to feel spiritual when you attend the mass.
2007-08-01 09:45:12 · answer #2 · answered by Daver 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
People celebrate and feel spiritual in different ways. Some do so with loud celebration - Catholics do, too, but I've noticed that Catholics also set aside a more solemn and prayerful time. Christianity isn't all about song and dance, it's about the quiet reflection on Jesus and his life, and Catholics tend to focus on this. I don't know what you experienced - maybe you hit a bad mass, but also understand that mass isn't a trip to Disneyland either.
And if you don't understand the ritual, how can you feel connected to it?
- Ex-Catholic, Agnostic
2007-07-28 20:20:08 · answer #3 · answered by Wings 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Was it your first time going to a Catholic Mass? If so, it’s perfectly okay if you don’t understand the rituals and worship. If you’d like to know more, you should do some reading. There are tons of great books that explain the Catholic faith and the Mass. Even if you’re not Catholic it would be great just to have the understanding.
God bless.
2007-07-30 22:06:22 · answer #4 · answered by Danny H 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think that "feeling spiritual" is something that depends on a lot of things. What was your attitude entering the mass? Were you going solely to "feel something spiritual", or were you going with an open mind to what may/could have happened within your heart? Depending on who it was you attended with, and how comfortable you are doing this, ask them questions! Ask them how God speaks to them through the Mass. Keep on attending, and increase your knowledge on each part of the Mass so that you know what is happening before/around you. You may be amazed at what you find :)
God Bless!
2007-07-31 15:22:38 · answer #5 · answered by maphiaLu™ 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I guess I don't know how you are defining "feeling anything spiritual."
If you went to Mass with a reverent attitude and paid attention to what was being said and sung, that to me qualifies as feeling something spiritual.
If you were waiting to experience some sort of marked change -- i.e., an angel speaking to you or spiritual ecstacies or seeing a vision -- well, these are rarities reserved for the most godly among us. One doesn't just start out with those sorts of experiences, but must train their hearts and minds to be fully focussed on the Lord and serving Him.
2007-07-31 10:17:11 · answer #6 · answered by sparki777 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You felt nothing spiritual because God is not pleased with repetitious prayers and signs of the cross, these are man made doctrines to try and please Holy God. Sit, Kneel, Stand, repeat what the priest says (Chanting) it all has human wisdom but fails to glorify God Almighty from the heart.
God wants our true praise and worship of Him. As a former Catholic for many years, I knew from a young age that this was not the kind of worship that God desires. My mother is still a devoted Catholic, she spends much time serving coffee and donuts after church and helping to count the offering money. She still does not realize that these good things she does cannot save her soul. She blindly goes to mass, week after, week and looks at the other parishioners and makes comments about their clothing, or whether or not they kneel to the alter before taking their seats. It is all about appearance and what other people think and it is not about what God thinks. God could care less if you kneel, stand, sit, spin on top of your head for that matter, God wants our true heart worship. I met many nice people while attending the Catholic church, however, I never met anyone that blew me away, with their walk with Christ Jesus. I attend a Baptist church now and I never fail to feel Gods Spirit in the people and in the worship service. Praise The Holy Lamb Of God!!
2007-07-28 20:39:17 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Maybe you need to check out some other churches,, I feel like alto of it has to do with who is doing the preaching or you could say the teaching,,, I'm not a catholic but I would think that if it was the right church for you would know it right away..
2007-07-28 20:25:12 · answer #8 · answered by dolphinchic 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are looking for God you wont find him in any church, I have been a catholic for years now, and if you want to feel spirituality go to your closet in your home and pray privately that's where you will feel God and spirituality.
2007-07-28 20:23:13 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
catholics are all about ritual,and things that pertain to the flesh. God must be worshiped in Spirit,not flesh. cvatholic is a good religion to stay far away from.
2007-07-28 20:30:59 · answer #10 · answered by dispesational7 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋