Forget it.

I should not have posted this.

Why not? Struggling with issues of the faith is part of the human condition, and dealing with why some Catholics seem hell-bent on defying the Pope and the Magesterium at every turn is part of that struggle.

As I read your post I was reminded of what the Pope said in 2005...

How many winds of doctrine have we known in recent decades, how many ideological currents, how many ways of thinking. The small boat of the thought of many Christians has often been tossed about by these waves - flung from one extreme to another: from Marxism to liberalism, even to libertinism; from collectivism to radical individualism; from atheism to a vague religious mysticism; from agnosticism to syncretism and so forth. Every day new sects spring up, and what St Paul says about human deception and the trickery that strives to entice people into error (cf. Eph 4: 14) comes true.

Today, having a clear faith based on the Creed of the Church is often labeled as fundamentalism. Whereas relativism, that is, letting oneself be "tossed here and there, carried about by every wind of doctrine", seems the only attitude that can cope with modern times. We are building a dictatorship of relativism that does not recognize anything as definitive and whose ultimate goal consists solely of one's own ego and desires.

We, however, have a different goal: the Son of God, the true man. He is the measure of true humanism. An "adult" faith is not a faith that follows the trends of fashion and the latest novelty; a mature adult faith is deeply rooted in friendship with Christ. It is this friendship that opens us up to all that is good and gives us a criterion by which to distinguish the true from the false, and deceipt from truth.

Source: EWTN.

I don't know what you posted but I will remember you especially in my prayers today. May you know God's love and truth.

Thank you.

I appreciate your responses. And thanks for your prayers

The thing is, I DO believe all the Church proposes. It's just that real-life Catholicism is very, very hard at times.

Ain't that the truth. I am always asking my priest, "When do I get to be the person who says, my faith is a great comfort to me." "Never, if you're doing it right", he answers. If it isn't challenging, we are not growing. That it is uncomfortable to you is a sign of your desire to love God and do, according to His will.

I like this. It is comforting to me because I am constantly struggling with my faith. Nice to be reminded that I am human among humans.

I hear you on that, friend. I'll pray for you.

Fortunately for me (knock on wood), every time I feel I'm on the verge of losing my faith, and completely losing my desire for holiness, I end up realizing that I need it more than ever in my life. I realize how terrible things would be without it. I think about how much the devil would love for all of us to fall away. I admit, sometimes it's a mighty, mighty struggle to stay on course.

Spoke to a priest this week face to face. Feeling better for now. Thanks, one and all.