Why does my spiritual tank never get full after I leave a Catholic mass?

Question

I go through all the motions on Sunday morning: repetitious prayers, homily, eucharist, rehearsed song. What am I missing from my spiritual life? Why do I still feel empty after Sunday? What can I do to jump start my spiritual life?

Answer 1

You have a lot of unanswered questions about your beliefs and religion, and until you answer them and you decide that you are ready again for spiritual "fullness" you won't get the satisfaction that you crave.

Answer 2

I am also Catholic. In mass when I understand the homily I feel like I got a lot more out of mass. But i understand what you feel. Also during the gospel readings, if you know the people the priest is talking about and the story behind them, it makes a lot more sense. The old testament is the hardest part. If you can learn that then you will get a lot more out of mass.

Answer 3

You trivialize attending Mass as merely "going through the motions".

At no other time are we closer to God than when we attend Mass. But Mass isn't merely something we attend, we are active participants in the Mass.

We go to Mass more to give something rather than get something. We go to Mass to worship God, to GIVE praise. You see, Mass is one of those things where you CAN get something out of it. The thing is, the measure of what you get out of going to Mass is measured by how much you put into Mass.

While your mind may very well be focussed on the Mass when you attend, is your heart every bit as focussed? It sounds as if it may not be.

Also, consider that God deliberately doesn't maintain a constant presence in our lives. There will be times that, for no apparant reason to us, God's presence seems to diminish for a time. You see, people often don't realize how much they miss something - until they've lost it. It's human nature to become complacent; to begin to take for granted things that always "seem to be there".

When God pulls these "disappearing acts", it's Him trying to jar us awake from our spiritual sloth. It gets us to better appreciate Him when He's around. maybe this has something to do with what's going on.

Finally, it's never a bad idea to self-educate when it comes to matters concerning the Church. Might I recommend the book, "We Worship: A Guide to the Catholic Mass", by Father Oscar Lukefahr.

Answer 4

I think you have answered your own question. It sounds like your beliefs don't mix with what you have been raised with. I suggest that you take some time to think and write down what you actually believe, then find the spiritual community that falls in line with what you believe. When you get right down to it, faith is not about "joining a group", but rather feeling a closeness to the Divine.

Answer 5

There are those who feel that their glass is always half empty, and those who feel it's only half full.

Some of us have taken a long hard look and gone to the cupboard and gotten a smaller glass.

If, for whatever reason, your glass isn't overfowing just a little, you need to take a look at the glass or what you're putting in it.

Only an overflowing glass allows you to give to others.

Answer 6

As Jesus talked with Nicodemus, He said "...Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." Nicodemus said to Him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?" Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, You must be born again...." (John 3:3-7).

The phrase "born again" literally means "born from above." Nicodemus had a real need. He needed a change of his heart--a spiritual transformation. New birth, being born again, is an act of God whereby eternal life is imparted to the person who believes (2 Corinthians 5:17; Titus 3:5; 1 Peter 1:3; 1 John 2:29; 3:9; 4:7; 5:1-4, 18). John 1:12,13 indicates that "born again" also carries the idea "to become children of God" through trust in the name of Jesus Christ.

Answer 7

If you are seeking spiritual guidance why not confer with a priest?

You are a virtual stranger to anyone who answers your question. Without knowing your inner thoughts regarding faith and spirituality or the possible reasons for your dilemma, it is impossible to give you a reasonably valid answer.

Answer 8

By truly accepting Jesus into your heart and asking him to come into your heart and be the Lord of your life its about a personal relationship with him everyday and he will fill you with his spirit and renew you catholic is religious tradition not relationship,for Jesus will speak to you and guide you feel free to e- mail me anytime I will help you understand what a personal relationship is against religious formality [e-mail] Be blessed Lisa

Answer 9

GO OUT DO SOMETHING

not to be mean or anything but thats the problem with most catholics they set everything on tradition. Go out spread the word. Study on your own, don't stop where priest dude stopped continue on.

and do what dudeman above me said too.

Answer 10

The way you describe it, you are clearly not open to it in they first place. I love mass. I love being Catholic. Ask yourself why? Are you developing your relationship with Jesus Christ on your own every day? The church is there to preseve, observe and celebrate the sacraments as Jesus Christ set before us. You must develop your releationship with Christ during prayer. That is the most essential Element of our faith.

Answer 11

Try reading Richard Dawkins. If religion is the answer what was the question?
What's your question/problem. Can't you accept when you die you're dead meat, or do you think you're better than the apes?

(ex Catholic)