Do you ever wonder why mega-churches are so on fire? People pour into their stadium seats week and after week (and on Wednesday nights too!) to hear a message, fill up and participate in fellowship. But, I suppose you – ideally – can find those things at any community gathering or church, right? So, what is it about these churches?
We are a world of sinners looking for solace. We want to know that it is ok. We want to know that we are good people. And we want to feel that we are doing good deeds. But, these churches promise these feel-good messages in bulk. And, they are often able to do so without what many have coined “Catholic Guilt.” Who wants to feel bad about themselves when deep down we know we are full of error? Isn’t Jesus supposed to make us feel better?
Well, yes. But.
The reason I am Catholic might be the reason that many stay away. Head over to A Modern Grace to hear what it is that I love about Catholicism. This post ran about a month ago, but I want you to read it. Got it?
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this looks familiar, lol! I think in suffering is when God draws me closer and I always seem to learn more/grow
it drives me absolutely crazy when i hear people talking about evangelists like joel osteen who preach a feel-good message… and completely leave out the Cross. leaving out the Cross is completely missing the point of WHY Jesus came. there’s a quote from C.S. Lewis about how we were promised suffering.
Yes! Removing the suffering from the message not only removes the cross of Christ and his sacrifice, but part of His humanity. The Bible tells us that He was like us in every way except sin and that means suffering too. If we divorce the message of suffering from our presentation of the Gospel, then we divorce ourselves from the fullness of the Gospel message itself. Happiness and joy have their season and their part in the message of Christ and certainly joy is one of the overarching themes (I mean, hello Evangelium Gaudiium, right?), but suffering and sacrifice have theirs too. Without suffering, it is hard to fully comprehend the joy of our salvation. I’ve gone through a lot of suffering in the last couple of years and I had a friend who once told me that it is when we are suffering that we are the closest to Jesus because when we suffer, we share intimately in His suffering and sacrifice on the cross. Guess they don’t call it “bearing your cross” for nothing, eh? :)
hey jenna. i completely agree and i really like this post. After growing up Protestant… convert to catholicism, class of 2011…. I would have to say I disagree with what you are fundamentally asserting… that is, that Protestants do not suffer or do not believe in suffering as a part of their faith. I DO agree that Joel Osteen is off-base and there are many heresies preached. that’s ultimately why I became Catholic. I think the suffering is more acute but it brings greater grace. Sorry for getting all deep on you!
I gotta say, being raised independent fundamental baptist caused me way more suffering than it was worth and Catholic guilt ain’t got nothin’ on the fear and guilt a baptist preacher can instill in you when he is talking about the Lake Which Burneth With Fire and Brimstone. I found a LOVING God in the Catholic church when I converted in 2010. I found comfort and peace in the sacraments and my knowledge in God’s truths and plan for His Church has grown exponentially. I feel compelled to confess nkt out of fear anymore, but out of love and desire to be closer to God. Call it guilt if you wanna, but i feel like it is more of a drive in my heart. Those nondenominational churches are missing out for sure. David Currie says Evangelicals are not WRONG, they just have only 80% of the truth, so they cannot be RIGHT. BTW…I just started my own blog. It is a wee baby and a skeleton of a page, but I would like you to visit me sometimes if you get the chance:-) threemarysforamartha.com thank you!