What If You Don't Follow God's Will?

[TeresaBenedicta]

[quote name='JoyfulLife' date='02 August 2010 - 10:05 PM' timestamp='1280797525' post='2151217']
Loving and merciful, but we can't forget that He is just, too. If an act is a mortal sin, and we choose it, we chose to kill our soul by our own free will. God loves us so much that He respects our free will and will never force us to do anything.
[/quote]

Religious life and the priesthood are invitations to a higher state of life. Choosing not to follow that is not sinful. Imprudent? Probably. Imperfection? Definitely. Hindrance to growing as much as you can in the spiritual life? Probably. But, as much as it's a calling, vocation is also a choice. A free choice. And a choice can only be free if it's between goods. Marriage is a good. Religious life is a higher good. But they're both goods.

[Sarah147]

Well said.

[TeresaBenedicta]

[quote name='TeresaBenedicta' date='02 August 2010 - 10:09 PM' timestamp='1280797798' post='2151220']
Religious life and the priesthood are invitations to a higher state of life. Choosing not to follow that is not sinful. Imprudent? Probably. Imperfection? Definitely. Hindrance to growing as much as you can in the spiritual life? Probably. But, as much as it's a calling, vocation is also a choice. A free choice. [b]And a choice can only be free if it's between goods.[/b] Marriage is a good. Religious life is a higher good. But they're both goods.
[/quote]

Hm. I'm actually a little hesitant about what I've written. I think I may want to retract, but I'm not sure yet. I spoke without thinking of the theological implications. We [i]can[/i] choose evil. But all things are inherently good insofar as they exist. They are evil insofar as they lack certain goodness.

Well, regardless, I think that the gist of what I was trying to say applies to this particular situation, since the matter of vocation [i]is[/i] between real goods.

Sheesh. I should be a little more careful with my responses!!

[OnlySunshine]

[quote name='JoyfulLife' date='02 August 2010 - 09:05 PM' timestamp='1280797525' post='2151217']
Loving and merciful, but we can't forget that He is [i]Just[/i], too. If an act is a mortal sin, and we choose it, we chose to kill our soul by our own free will. God loves us so much that He respects our free will and will never force us to do anything.
[/quote]

However, not accepting a vocation in and of itself is not a mortal sin. It may lead one to mortal sin by abandoning God and the precepts of the Church later on, but there are some people, like me, who, even though they desire to live the religious life, cannot because of their state in life (in my case, it's an illness).

Do I believe I am called to religious life? In some ways, I do, but there are no religious orders out there that will accept me as I am with medication (at least, I haven't been able to find them). So, I may remain single the rest of my life, or get married.

Edited August 3, 2010 by MaterMisericordiae

[Sarah147]

[quote name='MaterMisericordiae' date='02 August 2010 - 11:09 PM' timestamp='1280801369' post='2151290']
...there are no religious orders out there that will accept me as I am with medication (at least, I haven't been able to find them). So, I may remain single the rest of my life, or get married. [img]http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/public/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif[/img]
[/quote]

Not so. There is that post I mentioned to you about an order that will accept those with bipolar as long as it is controlled by medicine. I've actually PM'ed the person to get the order name, as I've got a mental/emotional issue. I don't know if the order would be a fit, but I'm open to look at what's out there. I will let you know as soon as they get back to me. [img]http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/public/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif[/img]

There was also another thing I read on a website some years ago, about a woman that was on medicine for low moods, and the order said that she'd enter with or without medicine if that was where God was calling her. I've searched google some and haven't found it yet, so I don't know if I'll find that again to get the name of that order.

Edited August 3, 2010 by JoyfulLife

[OnlySunshine]

[quote name='JoyfulLife' date='02 August 2010 - 10:26 PM' timestamp='1280802367' post='2151306']
Not so. There is that post I mentioned to you about an order that will accept those with bipolar as long as it is controlled by medicine. I've actually PM'ed the person to get the order name, as I've got a mental/emotional issue. I don't know if the order would be a fit, but I'm open to look at what's out there. I will let you know as soon as they get back to me. [img]http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/public/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif[/img]

There was also another thing I read on a website some years ago, about a woman that was on medicine for low moods, and the order said that she'd enter with or without medicine if that was where God was calling her. I've searched google some and haven't found it yet, so I don't know if I'll find that again to get the name of that order.
[/quote]

I actually know of one order that will accept women with mental disorders, but I am not sure if it's the one you are thinking of, but it's the Benedictine Sisters in St. Leo, FL. I read about them through Catholic Answers Forum when someone posted that she was accepted there, but decided it wasn't for her. She entered an active Carmelite order, instead, though I don't remember which one. But both said that she could enter with medication. Heavens above! My memory is TERRIBLE!

If I could find a Dominican or Marian order that I was attracted to that would accept me with my medication and illness, I might consider them, but right now, I am not interested in discerning. I wouldn't enter an order simply because they would accept me with an illness.

http://www.floridabenedictines.com/

Edited August 3, 2010 by MaterMisericordiae

[littlesister]

To quote a holy preacher we knew, "You can take a wrong step, but God will love you anyway."

[Sarah147]

[quote name='littlesister' date='03 August 2010 - 01:22 AM' timestamp='1280809355' post='2151361']
To quote a holy preacher we knew, "You can take a wrong step, but God will love you anyway."
[/quote]


I find it tremendous how God can still love us even when we are deep in sin. God is so good. Always loving us, always drawing us to repentance, forgiveness and love.

[MarieLynn]

When I left religious life all those years ago, I was told that I was going against God's plan for me, I would be very unhappy, I would probably marry an alcoholic (sp?) suffer a mental illness, or in general suffer for "turning my back on God". This was said by a Superior of the Order of which I had been a part.

Guess what, - I have had 2 very happy marriages (my 1st husband died), neither were/are alcoholics, I am as sane as the next person, and love my nursing work, much of which has enabled me to work overseas. I have 2 adult children who have given me 5 wonderful grandchildren between them, and I am a firm believer that God loves you, no matter what you do in life.