I’m catholic and walked away for 15 years. Thank God my searching came up empty. I’m back and love Jesus more then before I left 🙏🏻😊Thank you Jesus for waiting for me 😊 he will come to you any time in your life
Don’t feel that way about lost time. Yes you have guilt and sorrow of for it but remember Jesus in Matthew’s Gospel with the parable of the vineyard worker! It doesn’t matter when you start but to come to Jesus even near the end of your life and have a relationship with him doing the good works he prepared for us to do ahead of time. The heart of God is all sinners and souls to be saved even those Catholics who Jesus tells the Pharisees in the parables of the 2 sons both prodigal son in Luke and the obedient and disobedient son whom the disobedient son said no at first but changes his mind and does the will of God and repents.
In 2001 my mom had a brain aneurysm. It was by far the scariest thing I’ve been through. My sister and I went to an empty church and kneeled before the tabernacle; to this day I don’t know if I’ve ever prayed that hard and so genuinely. I prayed to God to please let her live. I begged Him. I understand we must accept His will but I was 19 and was so afraid to lose my mom 🥺. She flat lined twice while in the hospital. My mom lived and God willing will turn 68 in a few months. I’m not saying had she died that it meant He took her….All I know and believe is that He heard my cries. I will forever be grateful for the HUGE blessing of keeping my mother with us 😭
@@karenlamorie63 thank you 🙏🏼 I never take a moment for granted with her. I make time to spend with her all the time whether it’s shopping or breakfast etc. cherish every moment with loved ones 🙏🏼
Just to share my story: I was baptized Catholic as an infant and underwent my first communion, but my upbringing wasn't particularly devout. During my teenage years, church attendance wasn't a priority until a friend invited me to a youth retreat, leading me to actively participate in her Protestant church for three years. However, during college, I felt drawn to explore Catholicism more deeply, eventually leading to my confirmation at 21. I feel immensely blessed by my faith journey and have found my home in Catholicism, which I'm committed to wholeheartedly. I love Jesus, I am GLAD that I made the decision to go home and I am devoted to raise Godly children! I do not fear, Christ is King. Be blessed Y'all 🙌
I walked away from Christ and Christianity. And in my late 30’s I found Jesus in the Eucharist. I know now Jesus and have faith stronger than anything of my youth. As a drug and alcohol counselor I am grateful. On the hard weeks my faith and Jesus carries me.
Same, born a Catholic and went to Catholic school. Didnt really leave the church but only participated in sacraments as if they were routine. During med school I came across other catholic classmates who invited me to pray the rosary every saturday as it was the only day all of us were free and my life changed. While we were praying the rosary there were less than 10 of us at that time but we felt the presence of angels many angels praying with us. Its hard to explain but we felt incredibly blessed. One time after mass we hung around in the back pews talking about the Blessed Virgin and the saints and we all, simultaneously smelled the distinct odor of roses. And there werent any flowers around. We all looked at each other and at that time most of us werent aware that Our Lady makes her presence known with the smell of roses. Its incredible. Thank you Lord, thank you Jesus, thank you Mama Mary for enveloping us with your love and never losing faith in us.
Cradle Catholic ✝️ 20 years old! Went to Sunday school, all-girls Christian school, and mass most Sundays growing up. Between the ages of 13 to 17 I was convinced I was an atheist, because I could not understand why life was so hard if God really loved us. I also didn’t have the greatest education on the Bible, as much as I knew or wanted to believe about it was that it was “full of contradictions”. At the base of it all, I was someone who had been through so much trauma as a child, including at the hands of the church and I was just so lost and confused. It was only at my loneliest hour when I was all alone, felt rejected and unloved by everyone, that the only option I had was to pray. From that moment onwards I knew I was Catholic, i and that was something I just cannot change about myself even if I wanted to. It’s possible to rebuild and renew one’s relationship with God, Jesus Christ, the Virgin Mary and the church and I think it was important for me to go through that phase of “rejecting” Catholicism because my love and reverence for it is so much deeper! 💟✝️☮️
Relationship with Jesus is possible. I have seen him come to me in dreams and speak to me along with the still small quiet peaceful joyful whispers of the Holy Spirit to clear up the doubt you went through. Read the parable of the prodigal sons today and see that you are Jesus’s prodigal daughter whom he knew would go and waited for the day for you to come back and return so that the Father Himself came come to meet you when you decided to come back to him. It is very much possible to hear the voice of Jesus and the Holy Spirit as we are his sheep but we must be seeking him and desiring holiness so that we can drown out all the different voices of the world and focus on Him.
So sorry you have been through so much. Living in this world can be awful. I have been through many things myself, perhaps not as traumatizing as your's but I do know God is there even if it takes years to experience justice to a situation. I just experienced an amazing justice to a years long traumatic situation. I cannot describe my awe or how thankful I am. Stay strong with Christ. He makes all things right in His time.
I hear ya, my heart breaks and my eyes fill with tears…running from and running towards, and so much pain and suffering and confusion. God bless and have Mercy on us all.
At age 20 I had my first child and went through severe post natal depression, attempted suicide and ended up in ICU, lost my faith and at 40 years of age I was given the Divine Mercy Image and it brought me back to the Lord, praise God
As a cradle Catholic trying to return after 30 years of atheism -- and still struggling with belief -- this particular video really resonated with me. I'm following my priest's advice to read the gospels with an open heart, but I may also take your advice about making it a habit to visit the tabernacle every day. I hope you make more videos like this!
Amen, Father Mike! I was raised Methodist and then left the church. I changed my ways and accepted Jesus and am now Catholic and couldn’t be happier! God Bless!!
@@simonslater9024 just out of curiosity, how is the Methodist Church a cult? I was raised to believe in the Holy Trinity of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Ghost. We say the Apostle’s Creed which is similar to the Apostle’s Creed in the Catholic Church. I never felt like I was in a cult and still have several friends who are still Methodist. It just wasn’t for me anymore and I found my home in the Catholic Church.
I was raised "nothing" 😁 and now, at almost 49 yo, I suddenly (like over night) found the answer that decades of working through self help/development books could not provide. Faith! My life is literally turning around right now and I'm in a constant state of confusion - but happy and full of hope. I'm following Fr. Mikes "Bible in a year" reading plan and really enjoy it (although it's tough because I'm german but at. 7 speed it's doable 😁). Never thought that would happen to me, thanks for reading! 💛
I was raised Methodist and left as a teen because of the actions/words of some so called “Christians” in my Sunday school class, not because I lost my faith/belief in Jesus. And over the years I wandered through various Protestant churches. Eventually landed in the Catholic Church and converted. I did fall away because my Methodist brain started taking over my Catholic heart. But the good news is, the heart has won and I am on a personal journal back to the church.
I was raised Catholic in Mexico in the 60s and early 70s. Went to Catholic school through middle school. Walked away during the mid-70s through the early 80s, returned to the church, not because of conviction but to give my children some religious basis and left again after they were teens. I explored espirituality, new age, Buddhism, and Hinduism (yogic philosophies). Somehow, now, at age 67, I have been exploring my Catholic roots and finding it surprising that what I could never make sense before is now making sense and falling into place. Go figure!
I went from cradle Catholic, to an atheist for 15 years, and back to Catholicism- got confirmed a couple of weeks ago. I am the happiest I have ever been
Born into an Irish immigrant family, christened Catholic as an infant, and took my first Holy Communion at seven. That is as far as my involvement with the Catholic Church went. I did go to a C of E school (Church of England) and took part in church as an alter boy, but apart from all of that, I have largely rejected God, Jesus and the church. I have lived a life of sin, and have often considered myself lucky to still be alive, but then something struck me, maybe it wasn't luck ! I started listening the Bible in a year, I started praying, I started to understand that I wasn't lucky, I was being spared, or saved, for what I don't know yet. I have recognised the influence of God in my life, having the Holy spirit surrounding me, walking with Jesus every day is one of the most uplifting experiences you can have, but my path back to the loving arms of Jesus Christ is not a straight one, but with his love and my faith in him, I know everything will be ok. God Bless Peace and love
I'm a cradle Catholic with 12 years of Catholic school. I married another cradle Catholic and, when we got back from our honeymoon, we were living in a new area and I said we need to call about Mass times (1970s, no Internet), and he said he didn't want to go to Mass. I said, we went to Mass the whole time we dated and were engaged. He said he did that to impress me. I can't believe I gave up so easily! Needless to say, with someone this deceptive, the marriage didn't last. I remarried outside the Church and stayed away for 20 years. I was stalled. I returned in 1997 and eventually got an annullment. My second husband died shortly after my annulment. I remarried in the Church to a widower who has since died. The point is that I have no idea how I, someone who never missed Mass, a CCD teacher during colllege, gave up so easily and took so long to come back. I just thank God I made it back and pray that others do the same.
Hahaha, if you're Catholic, you can't say who killed Jesus, and if you do, you're in violation of the Anti-Semitic Laws, and the US has the right to arrest you for protecting Jewish rights. Please change your beliefs! Because as soon as you publicly proclaim Jesus, you are violating US law and the US may say: you are anti-Semitic
Anti-Semitic bill. I would ask whether it is illegal for Catholics to preach allusions to who betrayed Jesus and who was responsible for his death, and whether it is permissible for the Pope to preach publicly about events that occurred prior to Good Friday. If it is preached is the Pope breaking anti-semitic laws according to anti-semitic laws
I like this talk Father Mike. I was raised a Roman Catholic but over the years broke a few commandments. Adultery, stealing, missing Mass, divorced and remarried without an annulment. I now want get back completely with the Church. I feel like I'm the woman at the well. Jesus gave that woman another chance and she was married more times than me. I'm going through my second divorce aged 50. I want to remain celibate now until I die. I don't want to sin no more. I'm looking forward to when I can receive the Holy eucharistic again as I have been going to Mass without Holy communion. God bless us all Amen 🙏✝️❤
I'm a cradle Catholic who grew up in the '50's and '60's, went to Catholic elementary school, attended a Catholic university, married and raised four children and never once doubted my faith in God. Yes, Jesus is important, but the Father is even more so. The first is the Way, but a way is not a destination. Our home is with the Father. And Jesus will show us how to get there. I look past the Way to see my destination. Late in life, after losing my wife, my children being grown, I was at a loss to know "what next?" I went to the Benedictine monastery and became an Oblate of St. Benedict; what I characterize as a "shirt-tail Benedictine." Reading the Rule, I began to discover that I have been a Benedictine in spirit my entire life. I don't know what path other lives may take, but somehow we all end up at the Father's doorstep. And we are told that we will be rewarded according to our deeds. I leave God to decide and I just go from one day to the next doing what is before me to do.
Raised Catholic, I've been involved with the church throughout my life. There was a period when I drifted away, embracing the idea of being 'spiritual but not religious' as I searched for deeper meaning. This journey, to my surprise, guided me back to the very place I began: the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church of Jesus Christ. Took me 40+ years to see it, but I'm home. I pray that all who wander, like lost sheep, will hear the call of the Good Shepherd and find their way back home. Blessings+ ✝✝✝
THANK YOU FOR YOUR POSITIVE WORDS! The Church of the 1960's was so different. But there has always been an empty part of my life. I believe I have found a Parish and a Community and my own wandering has a goal, Fr, Mike & the Internet would have made such a difference way back them...
I am a cradle Catholic but stopped going to church when I was in my early 20's. I didn't reject Jesus but as you say, just never knew him. A few years ago I was walking every day at the park (during covid) and started to listen to Unashamed pod cast on my phone. After a few weeks of listening to them talking about the gospel I felt strongly that I wanted to return to the church. I still listen to them when I walk and I have also read the Bible cover to cover. The parodical son is my favorite parable...now finding out that Jesus was waiting patiently for me to come back to him. Thank you and God Bless.
I'm a cradle Catholic. I've had seasons of weak and strong belief. I STILL struggle but I am thankful for my Catholic upbringing. It has given me an anchor, a home base to return to in times of questioning and doubt.
Hahaha, if you're Catholic, you can't say who killed Jesus, and if you do, you're in violation of the Anti-Semitic Laws, and the US has the right to arrest you for protecting Jewish rights. Please change your beliefs! Because as soon as you publicly proclaim Jesus, you are violating US law and the US may say: you are anti-Semitic
I was raised Catholic, made my confirmation and walked away. I’d say I walked away from the Catholic Church in search of Jesus because I didn’t find him there. I’ve learned quite a bit about Him on my own in the last few years but now at almost 60, I returned to the Church at Easter, slowly, with hesitation but with great desire to know Jesus and receive the Eucharist.
Cradle Catholic here. Catholic grade school, high school, and college and I didn't know Jesus. I went through the motions for years. Went to mass, but didn't pray. Avoided confession. Then, when I was 48, I experienced God's great grace and mercy in confession and was freed from decades of habitual sin. After that, I truly experienced Jesus' presence in the Eucharist. I love the eucharist and spending time in front of the blessed sacrament and praying the rosary. I believe I have my parents to thank. They always prayed for me and had masses said for me.
Left church in 60s age 30 because of racism in my new parish I joined after moving to states, scandals in church world wide, , divorce & remarriage to an active protestant, etc., still never satisfied. Returned age 50 after Holy Spirit touched my child an adult who fell in love with Catholicism thru Catholic High School she was enrolled in and converted. I was a widow by then and in supporting her fell in love again. All the missing parts of myself, the sorrow, the anger and bitterness healed. Thanks be to God who brought me back.
My heart is overjoyed reading every single person that has come back home. Welcome home, this gives me such hope for the remaining lost sheep. My MIL was raised Catholic and left the church at 15, my husband converted to Catholicism before we married and I pray for her and her husband to come back home. Please pray for her, she is in her 70s, there’s still time. I know I can’t change her mind, but the Holy Spirit can.
I was born into the Roman Catholic church in the Philippines and I almost left the church while working in insurance in Canada. What kept me in the Catholic Church is understanding the Love of Jesus Christ on the cross. I ignore the politics in the Vatican, as it will be God that will judge them. All that matters is that I am in a relationship with the Creator that cares for me. Everything else will fall into its place. 🙏🕊️
I pray for you and your ministry daily, Father Mike. Please pray for me too. I converted to Catholicism in my twenties. After my divorce I left the church. I still love Jesus and pray he will forgive my sins.
Permit me to ask, did you leave because of the divorce? I want to you know, divorce does not separate you from the church. There's so much at stake for leaving the one true faith.
@@ronaldaj-w7989 Yes, I felt quite divided from the church, luckily I feel that God is understanding and more forgiving than the church is. God is to love as Church is to rules.
Hahaha, if you're Catholic, you can't say who killed Jesus, and if you do, you're in violation of the Anti-Semitic Laws, and the US has the right to arrest you for protecting Jewish rights. Please change your beliefs! Because as soon as you publicly proclaim Jesus, you are violating US law and the US may say: you are anti-Semitic
I always thank our Lord I was born into a Catholic home. Catholicism is the true way. Im an old lady and my faith is the only thing that got me thru I know him well and pray to know him more
Cradle Catholic who had an amazing earthly mother who prayed unceasingly for her children. She instilled in us and spoke often of “the one true faith” and while in our youth, we didn’t know what that statement meant; she made certain we knew it as adults. She’s still praying for us in Heaven. ❤❤❤❤❤❤
No matter how cowardly this sounds I'm struggling with accepting what my cross may be and being scared of living the christian life. Call me a coward because that's how I see myself, I'm afraid to suffer and what that may be. I'm afraid of death, suffering, loss, loneliness, etc. I hate the way I am that almost makes me hate myself. I know God loves me but I don't know how to love him properly. I feel so ashamed and angry at myself for how weak and pathetic I am. I always to try to meditate and pray this "Lord, I don't want to change but I want to be free in you, Lord I don't want to suffer but I want to be strong, Lord I want to know your will but I'm scared of what it might be, Lord I am scared of this life but help me know that you are good and are the good.
I think that it’s beautiful of you to be honest about. I think we all struggle with this sometimes. I’ll be praying for you! I would encourage you to pray from you’re at, ask: “Lord, help me to want to surrender to you” “Lord, help me to to want to want to do your will” “Lord, give me the courage to want to live the Christian life” 😊
Read Luke’s account of Jesus’s Agony in the Garden and also pray the Rosary for the motherly love and help of Mary. In Luke’s account there is a key description of you and Peter being the same: sleeping from the pain and sorrow of the heart failing to act and keep watch for the Devil and sin. Now also read all 4 Gospels of Jesus’s agony of being afraid and sorrowful to do the Will of God and be brutally killed, suffer, die, and tortured to pay the price of all our sins. Keep this in mind how God knows our humanity and made it so that we can pray like Jesus and give everything on our hearts and minds over to Him and receive his Divine Love and Support in return. What does Jesus mean I am the Way, The Truth, and the Life? He means that not only is he the path into Heaven but also the perfect example of what Heaven is and how to enter into unity with God’s Divine Spirit like him with our flawed and broken humanity coming together to be made clean and perfect.
I'm in a similar situation - I'm scared to death of what I think God calls me to do sometimes - so I recently started praying the Litany of Trust and it helps lighten my fears when I pray it contemplatively
Hahaha, if you're Catholic, you can't say who killed Jesus, and if you do, you're in violation of the Anti-Semitic Laws, and the US has the right to arrest you for protecting Jewish rights. Please change your beliefs! Because as soon as you publicly proclaim Jesus, you are violating US law and the US may say: you are anti-Semitic
I was raised Catholic in the middle of the last century. At that time there were nuns, brothers and multiple priests in every parish who provided such good examples that I stayed in the church. Afterwards I met evangelicals who taught me how to actually relate to Jesus. At 76, I can say that I know Him well enough to never reject Him!
I was confirmed as a Catholic at age sixty-five, and my faith means everything to me. My life has been completely transformed and I now know the experience of accepting God’s love. I have left death behind and live in the hope of life everlasting. Go to Mass; go to Adoration; go to Reconciliation-your life will be charged with meaning and grace.
Jesus had my heart at conception. Out of 13 surviving brothers and sisters I was the only 1 to take it upon myself to be on that Lil white Church bus every Sunday. My life has been Blesses beyond measure, theirs, not so much. Aliens to me. I LOVE MY LORD. ❤❤❤
I was born and baptized as a Catholic. Throughout my childhood and adolescence i had a vague understanding of the faith. Simple understanding of God that he's loving and merciful. But i was also manipulated through society and honestly felt afraid to pray due to the sinful path i had fallen into. From the age of 12 to the age of 21 up to last November i had been a person that struggled with lust. And ofcourse there's still difficulty but i have just kept deepening my prayer life and trying to learn more. I had a genuine moment with God that felt like a necessary call out for my deep anger that I've had since i was a child. And ever since just praying for its removal im doing better. Glory to Jesus Christ for leading me back home. Because i would have remained desolate had i never allowed my humility to bring me to my knees. I definitely knew i was never going to convert before understanding Catholicism 🤣. But as my 22 years come, im grateful for the journey God has set before me. If you read my testimony, i thank you for patience haha. May God protect and lead us all in the everlasting truth.
Raised in a Baptist home. I think God for my Lord and Savior and my salvation early on. Walked away from the church and thanking I was walking away from my Lord and Savior Christ Jesus, was there the whole time. Went back to the church a Baptist pastor took me aside and discipled me close to two years knowing Jesus and the father has a Holy Spirit works through me. I could say now the walk is closer than ever. I have been ordained as a deacon my goal now is the disciple the young men of the church. God never leaves.
Your describing me Father 12 years of Catholic school I left for many years but I never left my prayers which I am convinced he,stayed in my heart but I really never knew him.I am 70 now and Jesus has revealed himself and I am so grateful.I love the lord so very much.
I am not a cradle Catholic, but at one point in my faith journey I questioned whether I had made the right choice when I chose Catholicism over other Christian interpretations of Christ. Thankfully my reaction (by the grace of God) was to decide to learn more about my Catholic faith before I felt I had the right to reject it. Well, that fixed my problem lol. I discovered quickly that the 'issues' I had were not actual issues with the Catholic faith but rather me not knowing the faith well enough to accept it. The Catechism in a Year podcast was instrumental for me in this realization. Thank you for your amazing work. That podcast and your videos have been very helpful for me.
I was resting Catholic and I left it after 10 years I came back to the Catholic and I have come back I feel without him in my life wouldn't have been here because I was going to take my life and he stopped me ❤❤❤
@@AMERICAN_DISTRESSI always think of Mary at the wedding feast of Cana when she said, “Do whatever He tells you”-in other words Mary always points us to Jesus. Also, Jesus on the cross gave her to us as our spiritual Mother. There are so many ways to Jesus and God is so generous in providing these “ways” in the Church to draw us close. When I was drawn to the Church after years of searching and reading but somehow didn’t have Faith a priest I spoke with told me “ go to Mass- because Jesus is present.” I thought well that’s something I can do and - blessedly! - I did receive faith. It was so wonderful and I was so grateful ! I could also remember the spiritual loneliness of not having faith so I have always cherished the gift and been careful to stay close to the Mass and the Sacraments so I would never lose it by drifting away. God bless you,Eric- keep searching and Jesus, his Mother,and “the Cloud of Witnesses” (the proclaimers of his truth) will bring you Home! You are loved! ❤️🙏❤️
Why Mary?❤ If you get to know Jesus, His life, and especially the way of the Cross and His declaration of Maty to be Mother of the Church. God is Holy, He is the Alpha and the Omega, He is our Good, Good, Good Loving beyond death on a Cross Father❤❤❤❤ He made Mary to be the New Eve, instead of being the Eve who's actions aided the downfall of humanity, She is full of Grace, and is set as tye nee eve to aid in the salvation of humanity,❤ just like is meant for the rest of the church, simply because God wanted her to be, the same grace that God gives and offers us each day, she is so united in body mind aand soul to God that she is entirely devoted to God, what God wants and who He loves. She is the ambulance driver who will get you to tye hospital hospital time and is just waiting for u to call
Amen. I was raised Methodist. However my Nana was catholic and took me to Mass. I also had friends who were Pentecostal, so I experienced that denomination too as a younger person. I am now a Lutheran, have been for 25 years, also raised our son at Lutheran School/ Church, but my MIL is a Catholic who lives with us! We both love Father Mike ❤ and his messages, whether Catholic or not....
Thanks father, I was a cradle Catholic and came back at March. Before that I was dealing with anxiety and depression. It was after I failed my certification exam is that time where I was saved by God in an underground parking lot. I did not see his presence but I felt his love and warmth that day. Fast forward a bit I got curious why there are some Christians who attacked the Catholic faith. Binged watched a lot of apologetics, learned the miracles of the Eucharist, as well as the power of the rosary. It's enough to convince to take my Catholic faith seriously. Especially with your video guide on confession, that one really did help.
I’m Catholic and walked away for 58 years. I definitely didn’t know Him well enough to reject him. I also let church scandals influence when those have nothing to do with God and everything to do with sin. Last year I opened my heart to Jesus - just a teeny tiny bit and I was blown away with an outpouring of grace! It changed my life. I picked up the Great Adventure Bible and read along with Father Mike. Now I can’t imagine rejecting Jesus. He is the most wonderful person who ever lived and He’s God! And he loves us. There is nothing you’ve done for which He won’t forgive you if you ask.
Thank you Fr Mike and everyone at Ascension Presents! Please pray for my uncle who passed away this morning. His wife also lost her mom and her son this year. Please also pray for my whole family. Thank you so much!
Jesus is the Only One... "If I leave him now, no ship can bear me hense..." -Arwen Jesus said, " I am the Way, the Truth and the Life..." Have Mercy on us and on the whole world...🙏
It took me a long time to get to know Him. I'm still learning who He is, every day I'm learning more. I love this journey! God Bless you for your faithfulness and teaching us about Him. Claire.
I totally agree. I was raised Catholic and went to 8 years of Catholic elementary school and I absolutely did NOT know Jesus. As a little girl I was beginning to know and love Him, I remember I loved Him from my heart and cried at His suffering. I don’t know what happened to me…by my teens I was lost. After living a whole life 50 ish years, in the secular world, He called me back and this time I listened, His sheep know His voice.
I’m a cradle catholic. My father taught me to Love Mass by example. But after going into the Military I feel away. After the Military I resumed going to mass. Years later on going through a catholic annulment showed me what awful condition I was in, so treated myself as a Catechumen and started over. To this day I’m still yearning to know Jesus better. Thank you Pray the Rosary ✝️
May we please continue to pray for the conversion of people into the Catholic faith. Conversion is an ongoing process even for those who’ve been in the church for a lifetime. We need to never stop searching for Jesus. We need to keep focusing on Jesus every day. Knowing that we are going to look away now and then get to confession and get right back to looking at Jesus and searching for him in each thing that takes place each day. Catholicism is a family within the body of Christ. We must help each other stay firm in our trust in Jesus.
I walked away after being devout since I was little when I saw what Francis was doing and all of his woke guidelines. I just came back a few months ago. And it's been good so far.
Thank you for sharing this my sibling in Christ and it pleases me to know God is answering my prayers for all the faithful souls of the Catholic Church, especially those who have gone astray, to come back together again without me even knowing it. I am glad you came back as you need to submit to the Spirit and ask wisdom, understanding, and knowledge for why is Francis doing these things and how do they not contradict the Scriptures (Fuducia Supplicnas and Infinite Dignity of the Human person doctrinal releases.)? That’s a question only God and WILL answer as he did for me and you also need to pray to God for helping you to hear his voice as he does speak like Jesus tells us as the Good Shepherd.
@@Justyouraverageguy172 I actually watched a good video, if I can find it I will post it. It's not someone that I watch a lot only because I am subscribed to a lot of channels on here, so I can't remember the name of the channel. That being written, he said that Satan is trying to divide the Church with all of this, and to keep going and not give in to the Devil's Whims, or something like that.
I’m so glad you came back 🙏🏻 please do not let one person take you away from our faith; that’s the issue with a lot of people, they get upset with a particular priest, clergy person or pope and decide to flee. They are all human and therefore can make mistakes. Put your trust in Jesus alone and in his word, and of course the Catholic Church. but understand that we cannot fully put our trust in any person, only Jesus. I say this to myself as well. God bless you sister. The greatest gift is to be Catholic🙏🏻
@@juliealbright5191YES! Satan is infecting the Catholic Church with his evil nature of pride both rainbow pride and the vice of intellectual and ego based pride
You're right. I had 12 years of religious education, but extremely little teaching on prayer. i don't even think years ago we had this concept of personally knowing Jesus. That was an evangelical thing i thought. When I graduated Catholic high school, I could tell you all about the council of Nicea, the Reformation, counter reformation , Vat II, and St Ignatius, and the Sermon on the mount. But really, this actual person of Jesus, not so much. That took decades, and the realization that I really didn't know much.
I was brought into Catholicism by my Grandma, baptized at a very young age, but, my household was never the religious type and so I grew up with little care for Catholicism and church school. It's been around 6 years since I been to church and at 18 years old I plan to return to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for the rest of my life.
I’m back after 50 years no at that time. I did not know Jesus well enough and I did not understand well enough. And I taught lower grade classes of CCD where they referred to it as you’ve probably heard this before central city dump. It was great as long as I was with the young kids because it was more learning your prayers in the commandments, and you were putting the basics down, but that’s what I knew the basics. I didn’t have enough to make an informed decision. I unfortunately married a man who was of a different faith, and as much as he did not it, or believe in it when it came to his family, it was like fighting a brick wall, so I foolishly And the Catholic Church was two doors from my house. Let my in-laws make decisions I should’ve been making but to be honest I didn’t know how. I’ve been back for a little over a year, and I have a fabulous pastor, and a super amazing young priest. He’s just finishing his second year, but it’s kind of a reverse thing. Our pastor is very new age and current and fun and our young priest is what I call an old soul. But I swear, when that man walks up the aisle, he floats, and as he’s getting used to us and things he’s loosened up a lot and he’s a good guy I think for our church to grow into appeal to the very many young families there are in our parish we need him, both of them came within like six months of each other, and somewhere in between their so did I and I have so enjoyed everything. It breaks my heart in a way to know that I missed all of this all my life because I made a poor choice, an uninformed choice I would love for just the religion part to have the last 50 years back. The rest of it I don’t want it was not worth repeating now I am working as hard as I can to catch up and see the changes that have happened and rejoice in the fact that I have this wonderful place to go, not just on Sundays were there throughout the week there is always something going on.
This is the message i got today in Adoration. Ive had 11 years in Catholic schools and never really encountered Jesus... Go to Mass on Sunday (can’t remember anyone saying anything about encountering Jesus though). Don’t do any major sins and pretty much your good to go. I find if I spend time in frequent Adoration or just in silence in Church I actual encounter Him. I ask Jesus to reveal Himself or let me know what He wants to say to me and in the silence, in His presence, I hear Him. (Not a voice - you just know it’s His thoughts because I never thought that myself). Talking about the Eucharist or rules etc won’t draw us into a relationship with Jesus. Only spending time in silence with Him will bring us to discover the one who truly loves us enough to lay down His life for us. Jesus is REAL. Wish I knew this going thru my life. Ive been a lost sheep for so long. I also know we need to pray to the Holy Spirit to open our hearts minds etc. AND always always pray thru the immaculate heart of our Mother, Mary. So simple. ❤️. Yet we spent majority of time in a classroom when Jesus was next door?? JMJ
Was just writing on this topic only to find it far more eloquently summed up here. I knew to ask St. Anthony if I lost something, but not where the confessionals were; I didn't really know Him until wandering away for years then coming back. I do not say this to sound critical of the Church, but I would like to thank all of you at Ascension for properly catechizing so many of us.
Father, thank you! I love your preaching and teaching. You’re not fire and brimstone, you’re gentle and kind. “Do I know Jesus well enough to reject Him?” “Do I not know Jesus well enough to accept Him?” Powerful questions, Father Mike! Thank God for your theological intellectual that has helped me along the way!
I was raised in a Catholic family, went to Catholic school, have always gone to mass. Had a grandmother who prayed at 3 p.m. each and every day. I have never left physically, but mentally I did. Now that I am older, I have a closer relationship with Jesus, but I do feel that I need for Jesus to reveal himself to me. Come, Jesus, come!
That is a powerful statement...i think now as a religious i am learning Jesus of course i am 90 noww and 67 years of vowed life and i will do the same if i returned again. I love my Pauline life......
That last bit made me laugh! I think you were referring to the Stones’ song, Sympathy for the devil - “please allow me to introduce myself”. My own prayer - Fill me Jesus with your love, take my fear and all that is dark, free me from these chains I wear, so that I may love Thee more and more.
Father I really want to thank it's because of Bible in a year that I'm coming closer to God I love you and thank you for what your doing to help so many people from a distance god bless
I followed this advice when you gave it in your Advent homilies 2 years ago. It was very helpful. I’m not sure that I *felt* different at the end but it definitely helped improve my prayer life. I’m a cradle Catholic. Went to Catholic elementary and high school. We went to Mass every Sunday but that’s about it. I never fully fell away but my faith was quite weak for a while there. Thank you Fr. Mike, especially for the BIAY which was the start of my path to making my faith the priority.
I left and went prot because I didn't know Him well enough. I returned because I studied history and got to know Him and His Church. Now my faith is rooted on historical fact.
I love many aspects of the Catholic Church but I have found God through many other very Godly Christian people who are not Catholic as well. I felt like God called me to a little humble Wesleyan church and the way that church is helping people and are the hands and feet of Christ is amazing. I have known many very Godly people who have passed away- my mother in law lived for other people.. everything she did was to show God’s love to everyone, even people that didn’t know her or really cared about her at all. Everything she did was to show others the love of Christ. I do believe Jesus is in the Eucharist but I don’t believe that everyone must be Catholic to be saved or needs to receive the Eucharist to be saved. God is so much bigger than that. There are miracles outside of the Catholic Church as well. My parents are very Catholic and I am so glad they taught me how important Jesus is. But I don’t believe they think that I will be saved unless I return to the Catholic Church ..even if I love Jesus with all of my heart the best way I know how. I take that very seriously. I have always loved Jesus. But they seem so worried about their salvation too…nothing is ever enough. I am finding God in another church that is preaching the gospel (not progressive or liberal gospel I may add). Just very humble selfless people that love Jesus and have the best hearts. Today that whole little church immediately walked up to the front to lay hands on our assistant pastor who couldn’t finish praying because she was recently diagnosed with cancer and started crying. Now before anyone says anything about her being a woman pastor, she is the most humble little lady and godly woman I have ever met. She lives and breathes for Christ. You just feel the love of Christ being around her… she makes sure you feel loved and welcomed and cared for as soon as you walk in a room. Sometimes it’s not about being right or knowing all the right answers. Truth is important yes.. but I think if you are doing everything in your power to love the lord your God with all of your heart soul and mind and to love your neighbor as yourself… follow the gospel and truth that all true Christian’s believe… that’s enough. It changes you. And you become holier in the process instead of feeling like you always have to constantly be doing things in order for God to love you and accept you and forgive you. I think God cares more about our heart towards him and that he is our nourishment in literally everything. I believe we can go before Jesus and pray and meditate anywhere. I’m not saying this to say that the Catholic Church is wrong or you can’t do that at adoration…I believe there is so much beauty and peace in that for alot of people. But it’s not the only way and I don’t believe you must be Catholic to be a follower of Christ. It can hurt a lot of people to believe that the Catholic Church is the only way. Especially when you lose people you love who are so Godly and loving but are not Catholic. I’ve been through so much inner turmoil with this so I just felt like I needed to share. Please be kind. I’ve been through a lot and I think God would want all of us Christian’s and Catholics to find common ground instead of needing to be 100% right. God Bless ❤️✝️
I’m catholic and walked away for 15 years. Thank God my searching came up empty. I’m back and love Jesus more then before I left 🙏🏻😊Thank you Jesus for waiting for me 😊 he will come to you any time in your life
Tom, did you ever read "the Hound of Heaven? You will like it...
Tom, how true! I walked away and he welcomed me back.
@@lp28487 I’m still waiting for that to happen for me
your history, its my history too, THANK YOU JESUS I´M BACK🙂
Same here 🙏
I’m back after 50 years Father…you’re correct.. didn’t know Jesus enough. I’m making up for lost time ✝️🙏🏻🌹
Don’t feel that way about lost time. Yes you have guilt and sorrow of for it but remember Jesus in Matthew’s Gospel with the parable of the vineyard worker! It doesn’t matter when you start but to come to Jesus even near the end of your life and have a relationship with him doing the good works he prepared for us to do ahead of time. The heart of God is all sinners and souls to be saved even those Catholics who Jesus tells the Pharisees in the parables of the 2 sons both prodigal son in Luke and the obedient and disobedient son whom the disobedient son said no at first but changes his mind and does the will of God and repents.
Me too hoping I still have time
Me too! I hope there is time for me. ❤🙏🏼
I also was raised Catholic, then stopped in my late teens, early 20's. I came back at age 69, now I understand what I was missing.
In 2001 my mom had a brain aneurysm. It was by far the scariest thing I’ve been through. My sister and I went to an empty church and kneeled before the tabernacle; to this day I don’t know if I’ve ever prayed that hard and so genuinely. I prayed to God to please let her live. I begged Him. I understand we must accept His will but I was 19 and was so afraid to lose my mom 🥺. She flat lined twice while in the hospital. My mom lived and God willing will turn 68 in a few months. I’m not saying had she died that it meant He took her….All I know and believe is that He heard my cries. I will forever be grateful for the HUGE blessing of keeping my mother with us 😭
❤God definitely answered your begging...know that❤ LOVE YOUR MOM 💞🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼💞
@@karenlamorie63 thank you 🙏🏼 I never take a moment for granted with her. I make time to spend with her all the time whether it’s shopping or breakfast etc. cherish every moment with loved ones 🙏🏼
Praise be to God!
Just to share my story: I was baptized Catholic as an infant and underwent my first communion, but my upbringing wasn't particularly devout. During my teenage years, church attendance wasn't a priority until a friend invited me to a youth retreat, leading me to actively participate in her Protestant church for three years. However, during college, I felt drawn to explore Catholicism more deeply, eventually leading to my confirmation at 21. I feel immensely blessed by my faith journey and have found my home in Catholicism, which I'm committed to wholeheartedly. I love Jesus, I am GLAD that I made the decision to go home and I am devoted to raise Godly children! I do not fear, Christ is King. Be blessed Y'all 🙌
Awesome!
Welcome hoooommmeee
I walked away from Christ and Christianity. And in my late 30’s I found Jesus in the Eucharist. I know now Jesus and have faith stronger than anything of my youth. As a drug and alcohol counselor I am grateful. On the hard weeks my faith and Jesus carries me.
Same, born a Catholic and went to Catholic school. Didnt really leave the church but only participated in sacraments as if they were routine. During med school I came across other catholic classmates who invited me to pray the rosary every saturday as it was the only day all of us were free and my life changed. While we were praying the rosary there were less than 10 of us at that time but we felt the presence of angels many angels praying with us. Its hard to explain but we felt incredibly blessed. One time after
mass we hung around in the back pews talking about the Blessed Virgin and the saints and we all, simultaneously smelled the distinct odor of roses. And there werent any flowers around. We all looked at each other and at that time most of us werent aware that Our Lady makes her presence known with the smell of roses. Its incredible. Thank you Lord, thank you Jesus, thank you Mama Mary for enveloping us with your love and never losing faith in us.
So nice today you smelled the roses. You're lucky.
Cradle Catholic ✝️ 20 years old! Went to Sunday school, all-girls Christian school, and mass most Sundays growing up. Between the ages of 13 to 17 I was convinced I was an atheist, because I could not understand why life was so hard if God really loved us. I also didn’t have the greatest education on the Bible, as much as I knew or wanted to believe about it was that it was “full of contradictions”. At the base of it all, I was someone who had been through so much trauma as a child, including at the hands of the church and I was just so lost and confused. It was only at my loneliest hour when I was all alone, felt rejected and unloved by everyone, that the only option I had was to pray. From that moment onwards I knew I was Catholic, i and that was something I just cannot change about myself even if I wanted to. It’s possible to rebuild and renew one’s relationship with God, Jesus Christ, the Virgin Mary and the church and I think it was important for me to go through that phase of “rejecting” Catholicism because my love and reverence for it is so much deeper! 💟✝️☮️
Relationship with Jesus is possible. I have seen him come to me in dreams and speak to me along with the still small quiet peaceful joyful whispers of the Holy Spirit to clear up the doubt you went through. Read the parable of the prodigal sons today and see that you are Jesus’s prodigal daughter whom he knew would go and waited for the day for you to come back and return so that the Father Himself came come to meet you when you decided to come back to him. It is very much possible to hear the voice of Jesus and the Holy Spirit as we are his sheep but we must be seeking him and desiring holiness so that we can drown out all the different voices of the world and focus on Him.
So sorry you have been through so much. Living in this world can be awful. I have been through many things myself, perhaps not as traumatizing as your's but I do know God is there even if it takes years to experience justice to a situation. I just experienced an amazing justice to a years long traumatic situation. I cannot describe my awe or how thankful I am. Stay strong with Christ. He makes all things right in His time.
You have been blessed by God, in turn you bless us who read your words ... ♡
I hear ya, my heart breaks and my eyes fill with tears…running from and running towards, and so much pain and suffering and confusion. God bless and have Mercy on us all.
Thank you for blessing us with your story. God bless you! ❤
At age 20 I had my first child and went through severe post natal depression, attempted suicide and ended up in ICU, lost my faith and at 40 years of age I was given the Divine Mercy Image and it brought me back to the Lord, praise God
As a cradle Catholic trying to return after 30 years of atheism -- and still struggling with belief -- this particular video really resonated with me. I'm following my priest's advice to read the gospels with an open heart, but I may also take your advice about making it a habit to visit the tabernacle every day. I hope you make more videos like this!
Amen, Father Mike! I was raised Methodist and then left the church. I changed my ways and accepted Jesus and am now Catholic and couldn’t be happier! God Bless!!
You left the Methodist CULT. ONLY Jesus can found a Church
Amen welcome home!
@@simonslater9024 just out of curiosity, how is the Methodist Church a cult? I was raised to believe in the Holy Trinity of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Ghost. We say the Apostle’s Creed which is similar to the Apostle’s Creed in the Catholic Church. I never felt like I was in a cult and still have several friends who are still Methodist. It just wasn’t for me anymore and I found my home in the Catholic Church.
I was raised "nothing" 😁 and now, at almost 49 yo, I suddenly (like over night) found the answer that decades of working through self help/development books could not provide. Faith! My life is literally turning around right now and I'm in a constant state of confusion - but happy and full of hope. I'm following Fr. Mikes "Bible in a year" reading plan and really enjoy it (although it's tough because I'm german but at. 7 speed it's doable 😁). Never thought that would happen to me, thanks for reading! 💛
I was raised Methodist and left as a teen because of the actions/words of some so called “Christians” in my Sunday school class, not because I lost my faith/belief in Jesus. And over the years I wandered through various Protestant churches. Eventually landed in the Catholic Church and converted. I did fall away because my Methodist brain started taking over my Catholic heart. But the good news is, the heart has won and I am on a personal journal back to the church.
I was raised Catholic in Mexico in the 60s and early 70s. Went to Catholic school through middle school. Walked away during the mid-70s through the early 80s, returned to the church, not because of conviction but to give my children some religious basis and left again after they were teens. I explored espirituality, new age, Buddhism, and Hinduism (yogic philosophies). Somehow, now, at age 67, I have been exploring my Catholic roots and finding it surprising that what I could never make sense before is now making sense and falling into place. Go figure!
I went from cradle Catholic, to an atheist for 15 years, and back to Catholicism- got confirmed a couple of weeks ago. I am the happiest I have ever been
Born into an Irish immigrant family, christened Catholic as an infant, and took my first Holy Communion at seven. That is as far as my involvement with the Catholic Church went. I did go to a C of E school (Church of England) and took part in church as an alter boy, but apart from all of that, I have largely rejected God, Jesus and the church. I have lived a life of sin, and have often considered myself lucky to still be alive, but then something struck me, maybe it wasn't luck !
I started listening the Bible in a year, I started praying, I started to understand that I wasn't lucky, I was being spared, or saved, for what I don't know yet.
I have recognised the influence of God in my life, having the Holy spirit surrounding me, walking with Jesus every day is one of the most uplifting experiences you can have, but my path back to the loving arms of Jesus Christ is not a straight one, but with his love and my faith in him, I know everything will be ok.
God Bless
Peace and love
I'm a cradle Catholic with 12 years of Catholic school. I married another cradle Catholic and, when we got back from our honeymoon, we were living in a new area and I said we need to call about Mass times (1970s, no Internet), and he said he didn't want to go to Mass. I said, we went to Mass the whole time we dated and were engaged. He said he did that to impress me. I can't believe I gave up so easily! Needless to say, with someone this deceptive, the marriage didn't last.
I remarried outside the Church and stayed away for 20 years. I was stalled. I returned in 1997 and eventually got an annullment. My second husband died shortly after my annulment. I remarried in the Church to a widower who has since died.
The point is that I have no idea how I, someone who never missed Mass, a CCD teacher during colllege, gave up so easily and took so long to come back. I just thank God I made it back and pray that others do the same.
Hahaha, if you're Catholic, you can't say who killed Jesus, and if you do, you're in violation of the Anti-Semitic Laws, and the US has the right to arrest you for protecting Jewish rights. Please change your beliefs! Because as soon as you publicly proclaim Jesus, you are violating US law and the US may say: you are anti-Semitic
Anti-Semitic bill. I would ask whether it is illegal for Catholics to preach allusions to who betrayed Jesus and who was responsible for his death, and whether it is permissible for the Pope to preach publicly about events that occurred prior to Good Friday. If it is preached is the Pope breaking anti-semitic laws according to anti-semitic laws
I like this talk Father Mike. I was raised a Roman Catholic but over the years broke a few commandments. Adultery, stealing, missing Mass, divorced and remarried without an annulment. I now want get back completely with the Church. I feel like I'm the woman at the well. Jesus gave that woman another chance and she was married more times than me. I'm going through my second divorce aged 50. I want to remain celibate now until I die. I don't want to sin no more. I'm looking forward to when I can receive the Holy eucharistic again as I have been going to Mass without Holy communion. God bless us all Amen 🙏✝️❤
I'm a cradle Catholic who grew up in the '50's and '60's, went to Catholic elementary school, attended a Catholic university, married and raised four children and never once doubted my faith in God. Yes, Jesus is important, but the Father is even more so. The first is the Way, but a way is not a destination. Our home is with the Father. And Jesus will show us how to get there.
I look past the Way to see my destination. Late in life, after losing my wife, my children being grown, I was at a loss to know "what next?" I went to the Benedictine monastery and became an Oblate of St. Benedict; what I characterize as a "shirt-tail Benedictine." Reading the Rule, I began to discover that I have been a Benedictine in spirit my entire life.
I don't know what path other lives may take, but somehow we all end up at the Father's doorstep. And we are told that we will be rewarded according to our deeds. I leave God to decide and I just go from one day to the next doing what is before me to do.
Raised Catholic, I've been involved with the church throughout my life. There was a period when I drifted away, embracing the idea of being 'spiritual but not religious' as I searched for deeper meaning. This journey, to my surprise, guided me back to the very place I began: the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church of Jesus Christ. Took me 40+ years to see it, but I'm home. I pray that all who wander, like lost sheep, will hear the call of the Good Shepherd and find their way back home. Blessings+ ✝✝✝
THANK YOU FOR YOUR POSITIVE WORDS! The Church of the 1960's was so different. But there has always been an empty part of my life. I believe I have found a Parish and a Community and my own wandering has a goal, Fr, Mike & the Internet would have made such a difference way back them...
I am a cradle Catholic but stopped going to church when I was in my early 20's. I didn't reject Jesus but as you say, just never knew him. A few years ago I was walking every day at the park (during covid) and started to listen to Unashamed pod cast on my phone. After a few weeks of listening to them talking about the gospel I felt strongly that I wanted to return to the church. I still listen to them when I walk and I have also read the Bible cover to cover. The parodical son is my favorite parable...now finding out that Jesus was waiting patiently for me to come back to him. Thank you and God Bless.
I'm a cradle Catholic. I've had seasons of weak and strong belief. I STILL struggle but I am thankful for my Catholic upbringing. It has given me an anchor, a home base to return to in times of questioning and doubt.
This is me, too! ❤
Amen
This ^^. I had doubts along the way but I still went to church, to keep that door open. It helped. 🙏🏼
Hahaha, if you're Catholic, you can't say who killed Jesus, and if you do, you're in violation of the Anti-Semitic Laws, and the US has the right to arrest you for protecting Jewish rights. Please change your beliefs! Because as soon as you publicly proclaim Jesus, you are violating US law and the US may say: you are anti-Semitic
I love being catholic...🙏🏼
I was raised Catholic, made my confirmation and walked away. I’d say I walked away from the Catholic Church in search of Jesus because I didn’t find him there. I’ve learned quite a bit about Him on my own in the last few years but now at almost 60, I returned to the Church at Easter, slowly, with hesitation but with great desire to know Jesus and receive the Eucharist.
Christ has revealed himself to me so much that it’s impossible for me to reject him.. thank you lord for loving me and all the people in the world!
Tell 'em how it is, Fr. Mike.
As a cradle catholic, this really resonates with me!! Thank you, Fr. Mike!!
❤️ You are an awesome ambassador to Jesus, Father Mike. Thank you for the factual but faith based information and loving others, as Jesus does.
Cradle Catholic here. Catholic grade school, high school, and college and I didn't know Jesus. I went through the motions for years. Went to mass, but didn't pray. Avoided confession. Then, when I was 48, I experienced God's great grace and mercy in confession and was freed from decades of habitual sin. After that, I truly experienced Jesus' presence in the Eucharist. I love the eucharist and spending time in front of the blessed sacrament and praying the rosary. I believe I have my parents to thank. They always prayed for me and had masses said for me.
Left church in 60s age 30 because of racism in my new parish I joined after moving to states, scandals in church world wide, , divorce & remarriage to an active protestant, etc., still never satisfied. Returned age 50 after Holy Spirit touched my child an adult who fell in love with Catholicism thru Catholic High School she was enrolled in and converted. I was a widow by then and in supporting her fell in love again. All the missing parts of myself, the sorrow, the anger and bitterness healed. Thanks be to God who brought me back.
Sitting in the ER with my mom hearing your words and voice gives me much peace and strength. Thank you Father
I've had dry seasons, but have come to know Jesus well enough that I could never reject him. I am blessed.
Come Lord Jesus to everyone listening to this!🙏🏻
My heart is overjoyed reading every single person that has come back home. Welcome home, this gives me such hope for the remaining lost sheep. My MIL was raised Catholic and left the church at 15, my husband converted to Catholicism before we married and I pray for her and her husband to come back home. Please pray for her, she is in her 70s, there’s still time. I know I can’t change her mind, but the Holy Spirit can.
I was born into the Roman Catholic church in the Philippines and I almost left the church while working in insurance in Canada. What kept me in the Catholic Church is understanding the Love of Jesus Christ on the cross. I ignore the politics in the Vatican, as it will be God that will judge them. All that matters is that I am in a relationship with the Creator that cares for me. Everything else will fall into its place. 🙏🕊️
I pray for you and your ministry daily, Father Mike. Please pray for me too. I converted to Catholicism in my twenties. After my divorce I left the church. I still love Jesus and pray he will forgive my sins.
Permit me to ask, did you leave because of the divorce? I want to you know, divorce does not separate you from the church. There's so much at stake for leaving the one true faith.
@@ronaldaj-w7989 Yes, I felt quite divided from the church, luckily I feel that God is understanding and more forgiving than the church is. God is to love as Church is to rules.
Hahaha, if you're Catholic, you can't say who killed Jesus, and if you do, you're in violation of the Anti-Semitic Laws, and the US has the right to arrest you for protecting Jewish rights. Please change your beliefs! Because as soon as you publicly proclaim Jesus, you are violating US law and the US may say: you are anti-Semitic
I always thank our Lord I was born into a Catholic home. Catholicism is the true way. Im an old lady and my faith is the only thing that got me thru I know him well and pray to know him more
God bless
Cradle Catholic who had an amazing earthly mother who prayed unceasingly for her children. She instilled in us and spoke often of “the one true faith” and while in our youth, we didn’t know what that statement meant; she made certain we knew it as adults. She’s still praying for us in Heaven. ❤❤❤❤❤❤
No matter how cowardly this sounds I'm struggling with accepting what my cross may be and being scared of living the christian life. Call me a coward because that's how I see myself, I'm afraid to suffer and what that may be. I'm afraid of death, suffering, loss, loneliness, etc. I hate the way I am that almost makes me hate myself. I know God loves me but I don't know how to love him properly. I feel so ashamed and angry at myself for how weak and pathetic I am. I always to try to meditate and pray this "Lord, I don't want to change but I want to be free in you, Lord I don't want to suffer but I want to be strong, Lord I want to know your will but I'm scared of what it might be, Lord I am scared of this life but help me know that you are good and are the good.
I think that it’s beautiful of you to be honest about.
I think we all struggle with this sometimes.
I’ll be praying for you!
I would encourage you to pray from you’re at, ask: “Lord, help me to want to surrender to you” “Lord, help me to to want to want to do your will” “Lord, give me the courage to want to live the Christian life” 😊
I feel the same as you, Antonio. Let's pray for each other.
I think we all feel this way sometimes and for some most of the time. Take heart and let's keep praying for each other ...all of us
Read Luke’s account of Jesus’s Agony in the Garden and also pray the Rosary for the motherly love and help of Mary. In Luke’s account there is a key description of you and Peter being the same: sleeping from the pain and sorrow of the heart failing to act and keep watch for the Devil and sin. Now also read all 4 Gospels of Jesus’s agony of being afraid and sorrowful to do the Will of God and be brutally killed, suffer, die, and tortured to pay the price of all our sins. Keep this in mind how God knows our humanity and made it so that we can pray like Jesus and give everything on our hearts and minds over to Him and receive his Divine Love and Support in return. What does Jesus mean I am the Way, The Truth, and the Life? He means that not only is he the path into Heaven but also the perfect example of what Heaven is and how to enter into unity with God’s Divine Spirit like him with our flawed and broken humanity coming together to be made clean and perfect.
I'm in a similar situation - I'm scared to death of what I think God calls me to do sometimes - so I recently started praying the Litany of Trust and it helps lighten my fears when I pray it contemplatively
I am thankful every day for my Catholic faith 🙏
Hahaha, if you're Catholic, you can't say who killed Jesus, and if you do, you're in violation of the Anti-Semitic Laws, and the US has the right to arrest you for protecting Jewish rights. Please change your beliefs! Because as soon as you publicly proclaim Jesus, you are violating US law and the US may say: you are anti-Semitic
I had NO idea what it meant to "know" Jesus until I started listening to you Father Mike and Bishop Barron. God bless you both!
We love you father ❤✝️
Jesus is too awesome to give up on fully. I had a mental breakdown and I tried to say I’m done with him but I couldn’t.
I was raised Catholic in the middle of the last century. At that time there were nuns, brothers and multiple priests in every parish who provided such good examples that I stayed in the church. Afterwards I met evangelicals who taught me how to actually relate to Jesus. At 76, I can say that I know Him well enough to never reject Him!
I remember hearing someone say that Jesus would have died even for just one believer, all that for just one person. Praise God!!
I was confirmed as a Catholic at age sixty-five, and my faith means everything to me. My life has been completely transformed and I now know the experience of accepting God’s love. I have left death behind and live in the hope of life everlasting. Go to Mass; go to Adoration; go to Reconciliation-your life will be charged with meaning and grace.
Jesus had my heart at conception. Out of 13 surviving brothers and sisters I was the only 1 to take it upon myself to be on that Lil white Church bus every Sunday. My life has been Blesses beyond measure, theirs, not so much. Aliens to me. I LOVE MY LORD. ❤❤❤
I was born and baptized as a Catholic. Throughout my childhood and adolescence i had a vague understanding of the faith. Simple understanding of God that he's loving and merciful. But i was also manipulated through society and honestly felt afraid to pray due to the sinful path i had fallen into. From the age of 12 to the age of 21 up to last November i had been a person that struggled with lust. And ofcourse there's still difficulty but i have just kept deepening my prayer life and trying to learn more. I had a genuine moment with God that felt like a necessary call out for my deep anger that I've had since i was a child. And ever since just praying for its removal im doing better. Glory to Jesus Christ for leading me back home. Because i would have remained desolate had i never allowed my humility to bring me to my knees. I definitely knew i was never going to convert before understanding Catholicism 🤣. But as my 22 years come, im grateful for the journey God has set before me. If you read my testimony, i thank you for patience haha. May God protect and lead us all in the everlasting truth.
Raised in a Baptist home. I think God for my Lord and Savior and my salvation early on. Walked away from the church and thanking I was walking away from my Lord and Savior Christ Jesus, was there the whole time. Went back to the church a Baptist pastor took me aside and discipled me close to two years knowing Jesus and the father has a Holy Spirit works through me. I could say now the walk is closer than ever. I have been ordained as a deacon my goal now is the disciple the young men of the church. God never leaves.
Your describing me Father 12 years of Catholic school I left for many years but I never left my prayers which I am convinced he,stayed in my heart but I really never knew him.I am 70 now and Jesus has revealed himself and I am so grateful.I love the lord so very much.
I am not a cradle Catholic, but at one point in my faith journey I questioned whether I had made the right choice when I chose Catholicism over other Christian interpretations of Christ. Thankfully my reaction (by the grace of God) was to decide to learn more about my Catholic faith before I felt I had the right to reject it. Well, that fixed my problem lol. I discovered quickly that the 'issues' I had were not actual issues with the Catholic faith but rather me not knowing the faith well enough to accept it. The Catechism in a Year podcast was instrumental for me in this realization. Thank you for your amazing work. That podcast and your videos have been very helpful for me.
I was resting Catholic and I left it after 10 years I came back to the Catholic and I have come back I feel without him in my life wouldn't have been here because I was going to take my life and he stopped me ❤❤❤
I have learned that when you are falling away from the Catholic faith, pray to the Virgin Mary and she brings you back!!
@@AMERICAN_DISTRESSI always think of Mary at the wedding feast of Cana when she said, “Do whatever He tells you”-in other words Mary always points us to Jesus. Also, Jesus on the cross gave her to us as our spiritual Mother. There are so many ways to Jesus and God is so generous in providing these “ways” in the Church to draw us close. When I was drawn to the Church after years of searching and reading but somehow didn’t have Faith a priest I spoke with told me “ go to Mass- because Jesus is present.” I thought well that’s something I can do and - blessedly! - I did receive faith. It was so wonderful and I was so grateful ! I could also remember the spiritual loneliness of not having faith so I have always cherished the gift and been careful to stay close to the Mass and the Sacraments so I would never lose it by drifting away. God bless you,Eric- keep searching and Jesus, his Mother,and “the Cloud of Witnesses” (the proclaimers of his truth) will bring you Home! You are loved! ❤️🙏❤️
@@AMERICAN_DISTRESS the Virgin Mary is the mother of God! She is holy and loves humanity.
As it is said, when you think that you are closing the door to Jesus and His Church, His mother is always opening a window!
God bless you!
@@rosiegirl2485 I like that!
Why Mary?❤
If you get to know Jesus, His life, and especially the way of the Cross and His declaration of Maty to be Mother of the Church. God is Holy, He is the Alpha and the Omega, He is our Good, Good, Good Loving beyond death on a Cross Father❤❤❤❤ He made Mary to be the New Eve, instead of being the Eve who's actions aided the downfall of humanity, She is full of Grace, and is set as tye nee eve to aid in the salvation of humanity,❤ just like is meant for the rest of the church,
simply because God wanted her to be, the same grace that God gives and offers us each day, she is so united in body mind aand soul to God that she is entirely devoted to God, what God wants and who He loves. She is the ambulance driver who will get you to tye hospital hospital time and is just waiting for u to call
Amen! Tears, so many tears! 💚🙏🏼🥹
Amen. I was raised Methodist. However my Nana was catholic and took me to Mass. I also had friends who were Pentecostal, so I experienced that denomination too as a younger person. I am now a Lutheran, have been for 25 years, also raised our son at Lutheran School/ Church, but my MIL is a Catholic who lives with us! We both love Father Mike ❤ and his messages, whether Catholic or not....
You have the holy Catholic Church. You have 48,000 protestant CULTS including the Pentecostal CULT and Lutheran CULT.
Thank you !! God Bless you Father Mike yes to know him is to love him !! When you love him you can’t live without him !!!❤️🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
Thanks father, I was a cradle Catholic and came back at March. Before that I was dealing with anxiety and depression. It was after I failed my certification exam is that time where I was saved by God in an underground parking lot. I did not see his presence but I felt his love and warmth that day. Fast forward a bit I got curious why there are some Christians who attacked the Catholic faith. Binged watched a lot of apologetics, learned the miracles of the Eucharist, as well as the power of the rosary. It's enough to convince to take my Catholic faith seriously. Especially with your video guide on confession, that one really did help.
I’m Catholic and walked away for 58 years. I definitely didn’t know Him well enough to reject him. I also let church scandals influence when those have nothing to do with God and everything to do with sin. Last year I opened my heart to Jesus - just a teeny tiny bit and I was blown away with an outpouring of grace! It changed my life. I picked up the Great Adventure Bible and read along with Father Mike. Now I can’t imagine rejecting Jesus. He is the most wonderful person who ever lived and He’s God! And he loves us. There is nothing you’ve done for which He won’t forgive you if you ask.
Excellent q Fr. Mike!!❤❤❤
Thank you Fr Mike and everyone at Ascension Presents!
Please pray for my uncle who passed away this morning. His wife also lost her mom and her son this year. Please also pray for my whole family. Thank you so much!
Prayers
🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
Yeh. I was raised non-de Protestant. I walked away. My parents reverted back to Catholicism, and like 7 years I found my way to the truth.
I'm so Thankful for these videos...soo Inspiring 🙏💜
Jesus is the Only One...
"If I leave him now, no ship can bear me hense..." -Arwen
Jesus said, " I am the Way, the Truth and the Life..."
Have Mercy on us and on the whole world...🙏
It took me a long time to get to know Him. I'm still learning who He is, every day I'm learning more. I love this journey! God Bless you for your faithfulness and teaching us about Him. Claire.
Amen 🙏🙏🙏 Thank you Fr. Mike ❤
I totally agree. I was raised Catholic and went to 8 years of Catholic elementary school and I absolutely did NOT know Jesus. As a little girl I was beginning to know and love Him, I remember I loved Him from my heart and cried at His suffering. I don’t know what happened to me…by my teens I was lost. After living a whole life 50 ish years, in the secular world, He called me back and this time I listened, His sheep know His voice.
I’m a cradle catholic. My father taught me to Love Mass by example. But after going into the Military I feel away. After the Military I resumed going to mass. Years later on going through a catholic annulment showed me what awful condition I was in, so treated myself as a Catechumen and started over. To this day I’m still yearning to know Jesus better.
Thank you
Pray the Rosary ✝️
May we please continue to pray for the conversion of people into the Catholic faith. Conversion is an ongoing process even for those who’ve been in the church for a lifetime. We need to never stop searching for Jesus. We need to keep focusing on Jesus every day. Knowing that we are going to look away now and then get to confession and get right back to looking at Jesus and searching for him in each thing that takes place each day. Catholicism is a family within the body of Christ. We must help each other stay firm in our trust in Jesus.
This is so good. Praying for you Father. Have a super day God bless 🙏🥰
I walked away after being devout since I was little when I saw what Francis was doing and all of his woke guidelines. I just came back a few months ago. And it's been good so far.
Thank you for sharing this my sibling in Christ and it pleases me to know God is answering my prayers for all the faithful souls of the Catholic Church, especially those who have gone astray, to come back together again without me even knowing it. I am glad you came back as you need to submit to the Spirit and ask wisdom, understanding, and knowledge for why is Francis doing these things and how do they not contradict the Scriptures (Fuducia Supplicnas and Infinite Dignity of the Human person doctrinal releases.)? That’s a question only God and WILL answer as he did for me and you also need to pray to God for helping you to hear his voice as he does speak like Jesus tells us as the Good Shepherd.
@@Justyouraverageguy172 I actually watched a good video, if I can find it I will post it. It's not someone that I watch a lot only because I am subscribed to a lot of channels on here, so I can't remember the name of the channel. That being written, he said that Satan is trying to divide the Church with all of this, and to keep going and not give in to the Devil's Whims, or something like that.
I’m so glad you came back 🙏🏻 please do not let one person take you away from our faith; that’s the issue with a lot of people, they get upset with a particular priest, clergy person or pope and decide to flee. They are all human and therefore can make mistakes. Put your trust in Jesus alone and in his word, and of course the Catholic Church. but understand that we cannot fully put our trust in any person, only Jesus.
I say this to myself as well. God bless you sister. The greatest gift is to be Catholic🙏🏻
@@juliealbright5191YES! Satan is infecting the Catholic Church with his evil nature of pride both rainbow pride and the vice of intellectual and ego based pride
Amén 🙏🏽 thank you Father Mike
Such great points in this video. I believe many people don't really know Jesus as they vociferously reject Christianity.
You're right. I had 12 years of religious education, but extremely little teaching on prayer. i don't even think years ago we had this concept of personally knowing Jesus. That was an evangelical thing i thought. When I graduated Catholic high school, I could tell you all about the council of Nicea, the Reformation, counter reformation , Vat II, and St Ignatius, and the Sermon on the mount. But really, this actual person of Jesus, not so much. That took decades, and the realization that I really didn't know much.
I was brought into Catholicism by my Grandma, baptized at a very young age, but, my household was never the religious type and so I grew up with little care for Catholicism and church school. It's been around 6 years since I been to church and at 18 years old I plan to return to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for the rest of my life.
I’m back after 50 years no at that time. I did not know Jesus well enough and I did not understand well enough. And I taught lower grade classes of CCD where they referred to it as you’ve probably heard this before central city dump. It was great as long as I was with the young kids because it was more learning your prayers in the commandments, and you were putting the basics down, but that’s what I knew the basics. I didn’t have enough to make an informed decision. I unfortunately married a man who was of a different faith, and as much as he did not it, or believe in it when it came to his family, it was like fighting a brick wall, so I foolishly And the Catholic Church was two doors from my house. Let my in-laws make decisions I should’ve been making but to be honest I didn’t know how. I’ve been back for a little over a year, and I have a fabulous pastor, and a super amazing young priest. He’s just finishing his second year, but it’s kind of a reverse thing. Our pastor is very new age and current and fun and our young priest is what I call an old soul. But I swear, when that man walks up the aisle, he floats, and as he’s getting used to us and things he’s loosened up a lot and he’s a good guy I think for our church to grow into appeal to the very many young families there are in our parish we need him, both of them came within like six months of each other, and somewhere in between their so did I and I have so enjoyed everything. It breaks my heart in a way to know that I missed all of this all my life because I made a poor choice, an uninformed choice I would love for just the religion part to have the last 50 years back. The rest of it I don’t want it was not worth repeating now I am working as hard as I can to catch up and see the changes that have happened and rejoice in the fact that I have this wonderful place to go, not just on Sundays were there throughout the week there is always something going on.
This is the message i got today in Adoration. Ive had 11 years in Catholic schools and never really encountered Jesus... Go to Mass on Sunday (can’t remember anyone saying anything about encountering Jesus though). Don’t do any major sins and pretty much your good to go. I find if I spend time in frequent Adoration or just in silence in Church I actual encounter Him. I ask Jesus to reveal Himself or let me know what He wants to say to me and in the silence, in His presence, I hear Him. (Not a voice - you just know it’s His thoughts because I never thought that myself). Talking about the Eucharist or rules etc won’t draw us into a relationship with Jesus. Only spending time in silence with Him will bring us to discover the one who truly loves us enough to lay down His life for us. Jesus is REAL. Wish I knew this going thru my life. Ive been a lost sheep for so long. I also know we need to pray to the Holy Spirit to open our hearts minds etc. AND always always pray thru the immaculate heart of our Mother, Mary. So simple. ❤️. Yet we spent majority of time in a classroom when Jesus was next door?? JMJ
Was just writing on this topic only to find it far more eloquently summed up here. I knew to ask St. Anthony if I lost something, but not where the confessionals were; I didn't really know Him until wandering away for years then coming back. I do not say this to sound critical of the Church, but I would like to thank all of you at Ascension for properly catechizing so many of us.
I grew up Catholic and later one in life walked away, then I thank God for finding me where I was and now my faith is stronger than ever
Father, thank you! I love your preaching and teaching. You’re not fire and brimstone, you’re gentle and kind.
“Do I know Jesus well enough to reject Him?”
“Do I not know Jesus well enough to accept Him?”
Powerful questions, Father Mike! Thank God for your theological intellectual that has helped me along the way!
"You will know the truth (I am the truth), and the truth will make you free."
Oh my goodness, so inspiring to hear this.
Jesus is most present at the tabernacle at adoration, and that's Truth. Without adoration, it's hard to find Him anywhere else.
Wow. I needed to hear this. I’m sure I’m not the only one.Thanks Father Mike.
I was sorta raised Catholic, left the Church for 11 years, couldn't be happier to have come back!
I was raised in a Catholic family, went to Catholic school, have always gone to mass. Had a grandmother who prayed at 3 p.m. each and every day. I have never left physically, but mentally I did. Now that I am older, I have a closer relationship with Jesus, but I do feel that I need for Jesus to reveal himself to me. Come, Jesus, come!
That is a powerful statement...i think now as a religious i am learning Jesus of course i am 90 noww and 67 years of vowed life and i will do the same if i returned again.
I love my Pauline life......
That last bit made me laugh! I think you were referring to the Stones’ song, Sympathy for the devil - “please allow me to introduce myself”. My own prayer - Fill me Jesus with your love, take my fear and all that is dark, free me from these chains I wear, so that I may love Thee more and more.
It was so powerfull!
It was the greatest gift ever given to me by my parents
Yes, go and meditate before the Blessed Sacrament. Great idea. ❤❤❤
Father Mike your words are so meaningful....I am a raised Catholic..Jesus is my life
Father I really want to thank it's because of Bible in a year that I'm coming closer to God I love you and thank you for what your doing to help so many people from a distance god bless
Thank you, Father, great message 🙌❤️ But you really made me thought the playback speed of the video was 2x 😂😂
I followed this advice when you gave it in your Advent homilies 2 years ago. It was very helpful. I’m not sure that I *felt* different at the end but it definitely helped improve my prayer life.
I’m a cradle Catholic. Went to Catholic elementary and high school. We went to Mass every Sunday but that’s about it. I never fully fell away but my faith was quite weak for a while there. Thank you Fr. Mike, especially for the BIAY which was the start of my path to making my faith the priority.
I left and went prot because I didn't know Him well enough. I returned because I studied history and got to know Him and His Church. Now my faith is rooted on historical fact.
God bless you ❤
My goodness - such a wonderful set of words, you nailed it Father Mike, thanks
Thanks!
Excellent episode
I love many aspects of the Catholic Church but I have found God through many other very Godly Christian people who are not Catholic as well. I felt like God called me to a little humble Wesleyan church and the way that church is helping people and are the hands and feet of Christ is amazing. I have known many very Godly people who have passed away- my mother in law lived for other people.. everything she did was to show God’s love to everyone, even people that didn’t know her or really cared about her at all. Everything she did was to show others the love of Christ. I do believe Jesus is in the Eucharist but I don’t believe that everyone must be Catholic to be saved or needs to receive the Eucharist to be saved. God is so much bigger than that. There are miracles outside of the Catholic Church as well. My parents are very Catholic and I am so glad they taught me how important Jesus is. But I don’t believe they think that I will be saved unless I return to the Catholic Church ..even if I love Jesus with all of my heart the best way I know how. I take that very seriously. I have always loved Jesus. But they seem so worried about their salvation too…nothing is ever enough. I am finding God in another church that is preaching the gospel (not progressive or liberal gospel I may add). Just very humble selfless people that love Jesus and have the best hearts. Today that whole little church immediately walked up to the front to lay hands on our assistant pastor who couldn’t finish praying because she was recently diagnosed with cancer and started crying. Now before anyone says anything about her being a woman pastor, she is the most humble little lady and godly woman I have ever met. She lives and breathes for Christ. You just feel the love of Christ being around her… she makes sure you feel loved and welcomed and cared for as soon as you walk in a room. Sometimes it’s not about being right or knowing all the right answers. Truth is important yes.. but I think if you are doing everything in your power to love the lord your God with all of your heart soul and mind and to love your neighbor as yourself… follow the gospel and truth that all true Christian’s believe… that’s enough. It changes you. And you become holier in the process instead of feeling like you always have to constantly be doing things in order for God to love you and accept you and forgive you. I think God cares more about our heart towards him and that he is our nourishment in literally everything. I believe we can go before Jesus and pray and meditate anywhere. I’m not saying this to say that the Catholic Church is wrong or you can’t do that at adoration…I believe there is so much beauty and peace in that for alot of people. But it’s not the only way and I don’t believe you must be Catholic to be a follower of Christ. It can hurt a lot of people to believe that the Catholic Church is the only way. Especially when you lose people you love who are so Godly and loving but are not Catholic. I’ve been through so much inner turmoil with this so I just felt like I needed to share. Please be kind. I’ve been through a lot and I think God would want all of us Christian’s and Catholics to find common ground instead of needing to be 100% right. God Bless ❤️✝️
What a great question! I'm going to put this into practice for not only Jesus, but for those who's path crosses mine, in life. Thank you!