Seized by Christ

They are experiencing Christianity as joy and hope, having thus become lovers of Christ.

Category: Conscience, Discernment, and Hearing God

How to recognize God’s voice—and navigate the inner life with integrity and clarity.

  • Is God Just an Imaginary Friend?

    Understanding the Distinction

    Skeptics often liken belief in God to having an imaginary friend, citing the internal nature of prayer and spiritual experiences. While there are surface-level similarities, a deeper examination reveals fundamental differences that distinguish a relationship with God from mere imagination.

    Surface Similarities: Why the Comparison Arises

    AspectTalking to GodImaginary Friend
    Internal DialogueEngages in prayer and reflection.Engages in imagined conversations.
    Emotional ResponseExperiences comfort, conviction, and peace.Experiences comfort and control.
    GuidanceSeeks direction through conscience and faith.Seeks direction through self-generated ideas.

    These parallels explain why some equate spiritual practices with imaginary interactions.

    Fundamental Differences: Beyond the Surface

    DimensionRelationship with GodImaginary Friend
    SourceRooted in divine revelation, Scripture, and the Holy Spirit.Originates from personal imagination.
    Objective RealityAnchored in historical events and communal faith.Lacks external validation; purely subjective.
    Authority & DiscernmentGuided by religious teachings and community.Self-directed without external checks.
    CommunityShared experiences among believers worldwide.Unique to the individual; not communal.
    Transformative ImpactLeads to personal growth and altruism.Limited to personal comfort; lacks lasting change.

    These distinctions underscore the depth and authenticity of a relationship with God compared to imaginary constructs.

    Real-Life Implications

    Engaging with God often results in tangible changes:

    • Moral Development: Encourages virtues like compassion and humility.
    • Community Service: Inspires acts of charity and social justice.
    • Personal Resilience: Provides strength during adversity.

    In contrast, imaginary friends typically serve as temporary coping mechanisms without fostering long-term growth.

    Conclusion

    While the analogy between God and imaginary friends arises from superficial similarities, the profound differences in origin, communal experience, and transformative power highlight the unique nature of a relationship with the divine.

    Content developed with ChatGPT

  • Keeping Focused at Church

    Sometimes when I come to mass, I can be preoccupied with some project or some family matter, and it seems I can go through the whole liturgy, without actually being mentally there.

    I love being in the presence of the Lord, but the quiet time can let my brain go active.

    So, to compensate for this, I have been starting to participate, that is, add active steps to engage with the mass.

    First off, at the start of the service, the priest always does what is called the “Penitential Act, that starts with some sort of sin reflection, then the Kyrie, and ends with a prayer of absolution from the priest. I always try to pay enough attention to be able to do a sign of the cross as Father finishes that prayer. I do this as a way of accepting his blessing.

    Second of all, at the start of the Communion rite, Father says prayers, and blesses the bread and wine before starting the last supper prayers. I always try to do a sign of the cross on myself as Father does the same on the Bread and Wine.

    I do this, because the bread and wine up to that point, are not different from any other bread and wine. But they are blessed by the priest in anticipation of becoming the Body and Blood of Christ. In the same way, when we come to mass, we are not any different from any other human (except having been baptized, I suppose), so I accept the Priest’s blessing of the gifts with blessing of myself in preparation for receipt of the body and blood of Christ.

    And then when the priest raises up the Body of Christ, and then the Blood of Christ, I observe the juxtaposition of the Crucifix and the Eucharist/Blood, and say “My King and my God”.

    I find it interesting that the words to Panis Angelicus – Bread of Angels, was written by my patron saint – Thomas Aquinas.

    In addition, “My King and My God” were the words spoken by St Thomas, the Apostle, after he put his hands into the wounds of Jesus after his resurrection.

    So if I manage to stay engaged enough to remember to do these things, I consider that I have concentrated fairly well. Sometimes I just have to acknowledge that I missed.

    If this helps you, then it was worth sharing. If you do similar things, please share them so we can learn from each other.

    Regards

    Tom Neugebauer

    Seized by Christ

  • If You Are Inspired

    Pope Benedict XVI says that Being Christian is not the result of an ethical choice or a lofty idea, but the encounter with an event, or a person, which gives life a new horizon and a decisive direction. 

    C.S. Lewis says that there are 5 physical descriptions of heaven: 1) Being with Christ, 2) Being like Christ, 3) Being illuminated, 4) Being entertained and 5) Having a position (as sons of God). These are earthly representations of the real, spiritual heaven.

    I believe that a Christian experiences the physical descriptions of heaven while he is still in Jesus’ Kingdom on Earth. And he bears something of that heaven with him so that the rest of us can have a glimpse of it.

    You cannot make the encounter or event happen, but you can prepare yourself, so to let God know that you are willing to receive His outpouring. And the Bible says that he who seeks shall find.

    The most effective thing you can do is get together with other Christians to discuss the teachings of the Church as presented in recent Church documents. This will help you to grow in understanding of the Bible, the Church, and the state of Christianity in the world. And in addition, you will have the support of brothers.

    At St Max, we currently have at least 3 different groups that do this:

    That Man Is You; Fridays, 5:30-7:00 AM in Kolbe Hall: Men discuss the role of men in their families.

    Your Holy Family Ministries; Tuesdays, 6:30 to 8:00 PM in Room 215: Men and women discuss the recent documents of the Church related to the family.

    Amore Laetitia, Thursdays, 6:00 – 7:00 AM in Kolbe Hall: A recent Apostolic Exhortation on marriage is discussed by men.

    Getting to know more about God and your faith takes priority over service. Let your service grow out of your knowledge and love of God.

    Remember: this does not replace your sacraments.

    Regards

    Tom Neugebauer