RE: Prayer and Counseling QUESTION from Sheila Cowling April 17, 2001 I do not know how to comment on a previous posting, but I'd like to if possible.
I read Ian G's posting to you and I want to tell him that I was there too, when I was at about that same age. I had gone through parochial school and done all that I was supposed to up until that time, then I was on my own and fending for myself in the military and my attitude changed. I, too, felt that I did not have to go to church to have a relationship with God, and I felt that way for a couple of years. When my life slowed down and I had time to think, I realized that something was missing. It took me a while to figure out what that was, but I did and I have a whole new appreciation and understanding of the mass and spirituality. I am the only member of my family (the one I was raised in) that regularly attends mass and has fellowship, and I am frequently asked why I am sooo different from the rest of my family - it's because of the church.
This is the way I look at it now: sometimes we need to experience the loss of something to appreciate it. Thank God that we can go back and ask for forgiveness and learn from our loss. Also, I think that this phase of life is not that unusual. I think we all go through a period of questioning and thinking we know the answers - it's in maturing in age and wisdom that we see things differently.
One last thing... When my kids ask me why it's important to go to church I tell them that it's such a little thing that God has asked of us, to visit Him in His house just once a week. How could we not go to see Him to thank Him for all that He has done for us? If we love someone then we want to be with them as much as we can. Even though God is all around us loving us, His presence in His church in the form of the Eucharist is tangible and very special. I also remind them of the time that Jesus wanted and needed His friends to be with Him when He prayed alone in the garden before His arrest. I tell them that they can make that up to Him even now by visiting Him in the tabernacle.
ANSWER by John-Paul Ignatius, OLSM on July 10, 2001 Dear Mrs. Cowling:
Thank you for sharing your experience.
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