Hey Jared! A friend of mine sent me a link to your talk with Paul VanderKlay, and I wasn't sure if you'd check the comments there so I figured I'd leave a reply here instead. For what it's worth, and I obviously have no idea what that might be to you, I'm praying for you. For peace, for well being, and most of all for truth. I was also in my early 20s when I abandoned the faith I was brought up in and became a Nihilist, and the comment you made "I wouldn't wish it on anyone" is felt to my bones. I don't think someone can understand that feeling until they've been down in the pit themselves. It is hell on Earth. I was glad to hear you have love of others in your heart, though. That wasn't the case for me. Thankfully I had a few people I did care about, and that got me through to the other side without my own death or the hurting of many others. And man was it bright once I got to that other side. I won't get preachy, I don't expect that's what you need (though I don't suppose to know), but again for what it's worth I will attest that giving my life to service under Christianity - solid, full, sometimes-personally-disagreeable Christianity - has been a little glimpse of heaven. I don't know if it is true, and honestly I don't even know if we can know. I think it may very well be that Doubt is purposefully built into the thing. So we get to experience and deal with it. But at the very least I know God loves me now, and that He loves you, too. And Christianity (that solid, orthodox form thats been around for 1994 years) is the best system I've found to explain that love. I keep looking, because for me truth is paramount, but so far, this is really solid ground. Anyway, I'm rambling now. I wish you peace and fullness of truth, and I don't think I'd be of any use but if for some reason you ever want to talk to some random guy who has been down that road, never hesitate to send me a DM or reply or however this sort of thing is done on RUclips, lol. Have a most excellent week.
@@HeliocentricOfficial Enjoyed your video. I think you would really appreciate St. Augustine's works. He stated, "Our hearts are restless until it rest in you O Lord." Praying for you on your journey of researching and investigating the faith.
As an Orthodox priest, your little discourse on beauty and your criticism of the modern “default” of blandness and a lack of beauty and aesthetic effort is fully on point.
Catholic priest here. Sorry you had a rubbish homily, bad homilies are all too common. I reckon the fact you went to 7am will have made this a pretty “low mass” (less solemnity). It’s a shame you weren’t able to go the Easter vigil the night before. It’s the main liturgy of the entire year, and really something else, I’d encourage you to try it next Easter. It’s long though, I do warn you!
I actually attended mass at this parish shortly after easter on vacation. The homily was fine then but I’m disappointed he got a bad experience I’d also say he should visit one of the eastern catholic rites. I myself usually attend a Maronite divine liturgy more often than my native roman rite (in part due to distance oddly enough)
@@MinionThomist it's possible that the Easter vigil according to the pre-1955 rubrics is longer, I found a 4h recording on RUclips at St. Joan of Arc, FSSP
I'm surprised these don't get more views. They are really quite good. You clearly take a lot of care putting them together, you have a good way of walking the line between honesty and being a jerk. They're really quite impressive.
I am still shocked by (1) how much this guy knows about the faith, (2) that he seems to have gone full atheist while still leaning on and leveraging the value of that knowledge, and yet (3) that he's so respectful and insightful of the ways in which he still involves himself with the faith. Dude, the hound of heaven is after you.
Something important to remember when talking about the mass is that catholic worship is not centered around preaching but rather around the celebration of the Eucharist. You are certainly right about boring homilies though. Great video, I enjoyed it a lot.
Yes, that’s true, but the Homily is a vital part of the Mass which is the celebration of the Eucharistic. Specifically, the Homily should strengthen our devotion to Christ in Eucharist and contextualize our celebration of the Eucharist to our everyday lives. I agree with you, but it’s also true that strong homilies make for stronger and better celebrations of the Eucharist.
Another Catholic priest here. What a great video! You come across as a really likeable, open, and thoughtful guy. When you spoke about St. Augustine, I noticed that your voice became more solemn, like your relationship with him might be meaningful? I love when you said that even though you don't believe anymore, you still walk with a limp from the wrestling. If wrestling isn't a part of faith in God, I don't know what is! Keep wrestling man, and let us know how it goes!!
I am a Catholic Priest. This was a fantastic video. Sitting through 1990s American Catholicism I always questioned growing up "how did things get so banal and boring?" His commentary about bad Catholic preaching is true. After degrees in mathematics and philosophy, I realized Catholicism is the most logical. Thus I am a priest. Else I'd probably be an atheist. The elegance and beauty baked into Catholicism is transcendent and is not irrational but rather supra-rational. It is hauntingly beautiful and elegantly ordered. And yet there is a chaotic element that is relatable because it is filled with fellow humans.
Awesome video. Catholic priest here as well - and you are spot on with the comments about "blah" preaching. As the saying goes, "If you are going to preach the Good News, then why aren't you happy about it?"
You know, some mass services don't even have a homily.... The priest may decide to skip it. Usually happens at the weekday masses. I haven't seen it very often at the Sunday mass.
The reason people were saying Hail Marys before the service was because, before most services in most Churches, the faithful pray the rosary together. Also, the reason why the rosary is repetitious is because the rosary is about meditating on the life of Jesus (with the luminous, sorrowful, joyful, and glorious mysteries), so we repetitively say prayers to get in a meditative state. I'm sorry that the homily was poor; I do hope it was just a bad day for the Priest (though, Easter is the commemoration of the greatest event ever), and hope you would give him the benefit of the doubt. Catholics also don't tend to be as welcoming as evangelicals, and there are many reasons for that. I am hoping to become a Catholic Priest (going into seminary soon), so I will certainly take heed your suggestion of "don't be boring." Peace and goodness!
I wouldn't say evangelicals are welcoming lol they're lovebombing and that's not the same. If I'm joining a group of any sort, and I get there and everyone wants to be my best friend and just know all about me, I'm outta there. That's not honest true interest and friendship, that's setting the hooks of peer pressure and control. If I join a group and people are nice but mind their own business, that's real. That's somewhere you can build an honest friendship. The fake love feels like walking into a used car lot lol
Great video. I would challenge the idea of contrasting the Catholic Church to a fundamentalist Baptist one, as if they do not “tell you what to believe” and “leave it between you and God.” Perhaps THE defining feature of the Catholic Church is the magisterium and the papacy. There is much greater theological unity among Catholics than Protestants, and the Catechism is incredibly thorough. There is an expectation of regular attendance, confession, etc. They perhaps don’t bombard you with that immediately, but if you actually desire to join the church, it becomes relevant. I hope you don’t take this the wrong way, but I’m praying for you and this project.
Your comments towards the end of this video actually sum up why my dad converted from the Baptist Church to Catholicism. (My mom was Catholic and, when they got engaged, didn’t want him to change his religion on her account.) He said he found a “warmth” in Catholicism that he hadn’t found in the church of his youth.
Hi Jared, I'm a Catholic convert from Evangelical Protestantism. I'm also studying for my Masters in Theology with a concentration in Thomistic Theology. This is the second video of yours that I've watched. There is something refreshing about your videos. You are kind and charitable but well reasoned. You are informed and your heart is in the right place in doing these videos to help people. I appreciate what you are doing. As for the Rosary, I'm also working my way into entering the Dominican Order as a Tertiary (I was at the time of my conversion and still am happily married) and the Rosary is a Dominican prayer. It is meant to be meditative and each decade (10 Hail Marys separated by a Glory Be and Our Father) focuses on the mysteries of the incarnation. This is because it was originally meant as an evangelization tool to a group of gnostics in Spain and France called the Albegensians. Since literacy was at a low point in the 1200s this was a way of explaining that the material world is a good by pointing to Christ's participation in it. Thus the Hail Mary is born of the Scriptures about the Annunciation. If you ever want to look into what it entails, the Dominican version is my favorite as it starts more...um...Psalmatically...I guess. It's also shorter. As for not being greeted, your observations here were spot on. Most Catholics attend Mass primarily for the Eucharist. We go to receive our Lord and to participate in his sacrifice. Everything else is kind of secondary. Bad homilies are commonplace, but as you said the beauty of the Church is amazing (I often zone out at homilies and get caught up in an amazing piece at our Church of Christ on the Cross, this has actually led to some pretty profound ideas). Lastly, your ending on St Augustine...was fantastic. I'm glad you were moved, even if you do not believe. You stated that you "don't believe anymore", maybe it's more of a you "don't believe right now". If God does exist, and believe he does based not only on faith and experience but also reason, then he will continue to prick at your heart. You seem too good and too smart for him not to. If that does happen, or when it does, I think you will find this period of time not only very helpful to yourself, but also to those who have watched your content. I'll remember you in my Rosary today, thank you for your kindness and charity. I hope the peace of the Lord is with you.
"You have made us for yourself and our heart is restless until it rests in you." Augustine said those words at the start of his Confessions. He is a man who knows what it means to walk with doubts and questions. I really appreciate your words and candor in this video! Your questions and your journey matter. "In the end is my beginning," T.S. Eliot wrote in his Four Quartets. Whichever end your questions lead you to can be the beginning of something else as well. Keep asking your questions.
Dude one of the best parts of being Catholic is the short homilies. Ain't nobody overly interested in what Father's got to say unless he's St Francis de Sales or something, and if you want, you can join the Bible study and have it out to your heart's content. Short, pithy, to the point - I need this. The thing I miss LEAST about Methodism. We're there for the Eucharist.
Christian here, really appreciate your approach from the couple of videos I've seen so far. I'm quite moved by your experience with St. Augustine, you're spot on about his wrestling with God. May God bless your journey and may all of his saints pray for you!
This is my diocese, that Priest who gave the sermon you said you actually enjoyed is actually our Bishop, Bishop Erik Polhmeir lol. As a lifelong atheist and recent Catholic Revert, seeing you give this impressive review of the place where I was originally confirmed was an awesome experience. Thank you for this video and God Bless.
I spent a long time searching to figure out what I truly believe. I'm a relatively recent convert Catholic and you put into words why I love my Catholic faith and the Church more succinctly than I ever could. The incomprehensible beauty and the humanity and also the occasional bad sermon haha. I'm not sure where your searching will lead you, but you are a good soul. God bless you, wherever life takes you
13:10 You're and adult and you are here to sort out your own business with God, we're not here to micromanage you--- one of the best summaries of my Church I have heard ever. I love it
As a Floridian, I have to point out that we're set up for tourists. We expect there to be folks all.up in our spaces who are here today and are going to be halfway across the planet tomorrow. Then, when you consider that Catholics are meant to go to church A LOT, you have to realize that Catholic churches here get a massive number of one time or short term visitors. Add to that the desired anonymity of Catholic activities like confession or coming to light a candle and pray the rosary in the sanctuary, even during off hours, and I think you'll realize that the lack of warm freezing and invitation to return is a feature rather than a bug.
Former Atheist turn Catholic who stumbled onto this video. Appreciate the sincerity. But goodness gracious, please to conflate the Rosary with Tongues. While the Rosary may seem mindless, it is intentionally a very mindful devotion, particularly now-a-days where the practice of imaginative mental prayer has taken hold where people, while praying to Mary, imagine the announced Mysteries. It's a very intentional and controlled practice. In contrast, speaking in tongues is very much a spontaneous and clearing practice, as someone who've seen people do it and talk to them about it. It is a very different practice, and although may seem similar from a cursory glance, it's kinda like calling Meatballs Falafel: they look similar, but function, taste and foundationally are entirely different. As for your criticism of the Priest's Homily, if your depiction of it is true, that's a fair criticism. It's a very far Cry from the Paschal Homilies of the likes of Saint John Chrysostom and Saint Augustine. Very fair. I recommend reading them to see the golden standard. Your general comments about Lukewarm Catholicism is not a sentiment unique to yourself. Stay on any Catholic message board or Catholic comment section and you'll see the same critique. As a convert, I feel you. However, its very much something that appeared due to some recent Church History, and speaking and hearing Seminaries and Young Priests, I think it's on the way out. Finally, as a former Atheist, I've got a question: have you heard of Eucharistic Miracles? If not, I recommend reading a book called 'A Cardiologist Examines Jesus'. If you have, what's your reservations about the topic?
Man, cradle Catholic here, and I just stumbled across your channel. I'm still practicing 34 years later, but believe me, I feel your wrestling as a kindred spirit and know that pain. I still wrestle with God, but I have also experienced moments of warmth and profound peace from my Catholic faith I can't explain away. And on the days when it's harder to believe, that gorgeous patrimony that so affected your spirit is what holds me home here, if anything because it's a testament to my ancestors in the faith who worked and suffered so much (even dying for Christ) that I feel like it would be a disgrace not to pass that torch to the next generation. Just wanted to say you are so insightful and gifted at communicating your thoughts. You got the point of the ornamentation of our churches spot on: it exists as a means of evangelization and a reflection of one of the attributes of God, beauty itself, but also to give glory to him as the source of all truth, goodness, and beauty. That it uplifts our spirits is just another of his abundant graces to us. Secondly, as some others have pointed out, your experience at an early Easter mass was likely a low mass, though even at the more grandiose ones later in the morning, you never know quite what you're going to get. I'll let you in on a little secret as a cantor who's sung for countless Holy Week liturgies: Easter Sunday is the end of a MARATHON for the clergy and musicians, and like Christmas, it brings out every sort of character from the woodwork, so it's always a bit of a shitshow, but I'm glad the bishop you saw on the later livestream remembered his vocation as a shepherd and evangelist of the Good News. Something else to keep in mind is that the Catholic Church can often be a victim of its own success throughout history. Being as large as it is, you cannot escape meeting an insane gamut of types "Catholics," both lay people and clergy, who range from "cultural Catholics" to "rad trads," so as much as I wish visiting a Catholic church was a consistent experience, the Church is going through a kind of refinement at the moment for resting on her laurels too long (some might even say a chastisement, but knowing your background I hasten to add that we understand this always in the sense of a Father who loves his children enough to discipline them, even when it's painful, for their ultimate good rather than not caring enough to let them persist in error). In any case, loved hearing your thoughts, loved your shirt, by the way, and love you for honestly seeking the truth, as hard as it is. Your reflection on St. Augustine made me tear up at the end. You know he said, "Our hearts were made for thee, O Lord, and they are restless until they rest in thee," so I'll ask him to pray for you to find that rest you clearly desire.
This was a wonderful video. Such an honest and sincere (and humorous) review of what many people, myself included, have experienced. I am now a Catholic deacon, so I worry very much that the Good News of Jesus will get lost in my poor preaching (I actually post my sermons on my youtube page, in the hope they might nevertheless be a help to someone). I think what Jared said about coming to a church outside of Mass can be very powerful. And I would recommend that Jared, or anyone who is questioning or searching, read St. Augustine's Confessions. You will likely find a kindred spirit in him. God bless you all.
You should attend a traditional latin mass, I hope it can offer a new perspective of the Catholic faith and Christianity in general. Thanks for the great video and God bless.
Was just about to skip this because I wasn’t sure it was for me. I’m glad I didn’t. I appreciate your honesty, and humor. There is always a place for you here, but understand it needs to the right time for you. I applaud you for wrestling with it, it sounds like you have a little more to go. Look forward to checking in on your videos.
Your words at the end spoke to me. The same happens to me at times. I'm not Christian (deconverted five or so years ago) and even so, a sermon will hit hard. Or I see true compassion expressed through action that makes me long for a faith like that. Then, I hear about millionaire preachers rebuking a woman in front of the congregation for not supporting their sexual predator husband and I no longer see the good. The teaching or Christianity misses the mark on many things and yet contains such beauty and care. Thank you.
In one of Dostoevsky's letters he wrote, "My hosanna is born in a furnace of doubt." Just as you said you felt a kindred spirit with Augustine, I've felt the same in looking at the St. Jared "bust" of a couple of your videos. If you're ever in Northern Colorado, we're in Fort Collins. I'd be happy to buy you a beer.
Haha, I just missed you then! I was in Denver earlier this week. That's insanely kind of you to say, man. If our paths ever cross, I'll absolutely take you up on that beer. All the best.
Hey Jared, I happened upon your channel and I love it. I am a Catholic myself, and appreciated your genuine appreciation (or lack thereof lol) for this particular Easter Liturgy. It's frustrating to go to such a reverent, holy, beautiful place as a cathedral or a basilica, only to have it contrasted with a poorly written or lazily delivered homily. It's all too abundant here! Something I wanted to share is that, as a Catholic, these moments, although frustrating, are in some ways incredibly comforting to me. What I mean by that is - as you put it to start - there's a facilitation going on here. It doesn't matter if I'm the most enthusiastic believer or doubting and on the final threads of my will to believe... hell, it doesn't even matter if the priest is either... Christ is still making Himself truly present to me in the Eucharist. There's a reality going on that's not dependent on how I feel, or how much I "contribute", or how good (or bad) I've behaved since the previous Sunday. He's there. That's what keeps me showing up - the knowledge even in my doubts, He's going to show up regardless of whether I do. And for someone who grew up with the strange idea that I have to earn love from the people around me, that idea does pretty well to curb that inclination (at least for me). I grapple with some of the same concerns and questions you do, but still on the faith side. As so many here are, I'm praying for you - for a peace and solace that's better than mine and for your well-being overall. P.S. I haven't perused your channel enough yet, but my opinion is that Christmas Mass is better in the Roman Rite, Easter is better in the Eastern Rites of the Catholic Church. Definitely give it a go, it'll knock your socks off. Shout out to my pals in the Ruthenian Byzantine Catholic Church and the Greek Melkite Catholic Church!
"Very adult, very mature." (Catholic theologian and biblical studies lecturer in the comments) This was a most astute observation about Catholicism here. The Catholic Church, while being 'a church,' is in its own self-understanding *the Church* - 'the Catholic Church.' Katholikos meaning universal. It is not simply a community or a place of worship, it is a culture. There is no welcome committee at the door because if you come through the doors you belong there. It is like entering a country; you are a visitor or a refugee, you are granted the freedom to be there. And by initiation you are made a citizen (if you so wish). This was an excellent video. Thank you.
Wow! I love your perceptive, respectful observations! Gotta say- we have a lot of meh homilies as Catholics. Sometimes the music is even worse! (Lifelong church musician and director here!) For Catholics, it;s all about the Eucharist. God is literally right there with us. So- sometimes the other stuff falls by the wayside a bit, it's just a vessel. Just think of the brave priests that were imprisoned in the Holocaust and saved a bit of bread to use for Eucharist- they celebrated Mass right there in the bunkers without any fanfare and maybe not a lot of inspirational talk- but they received this Medicine that is the Bread of Life. ---- By the way- I think you have a lot more Faith as an Atheist than a lot of "believers". Your heart is so sincere. Thank you again for these fascinating videos!
The ending of your video made me tear up. Beautifully put man….I grew up southern Baptist and ran as far away as I could when I became an adult. I was a stead fast atheist up until about a year ago. And I don’t even know why. Some unknown urge led me to buy a bible. I did some research on which translation was the most scholarly and academically translated. That led me to purchasing the RSV2 Catholic Bible. I really was just reading it as an academic exercise, but I also couldn’t explain the weird feeling I would get when reading it. Then out of the blue RUclips recommended a video where a Catholic father talked about the theory of evolution with stunning scientific accuracy, and explained how nothing in Genesis tells us evolution or the Big Bang isn’t real. That was the last straw. I started going to mass and started the process of getting confirmed as a catholic. I struggled for SO long with my faith, and I know that feeling you had at the end of the video. No matter where your path in life leads you, I’ll always be rooting for you. And also, your music fucking rules!
Definitely agreed with the point about how churches should be beautiful. Your surroundings affect how you feel. A blank, dull church doesn't make you feel good. It doesn't have to be fancy, but man, give me something that makes me think the building is used by human beings.
As a Roman Catholic, I really get you. To answer your question like "Why did you sign up for this?'", it is because we believe that priesthood is a vocation (a calling). Similar to soldiers who are called on a mission to dedicate their life to serving the military (for sure not all of them are as great in holding a rifle). Basically, God calls them to become a priest. Despite how boring they may be in speaking and delivering their sermons. This reminds me of Exodus 4:10. When Moses was called by God as the Burning Bush. Moses replied, "Please, Lord, I’m not a good speaker. I’ve never been a good speaker, and I’m not now, even though you’ve spoken to me. I speak slowly, and I become tongue-tied easily.”
First time seeing your channel! Thank you for being so generous. You should visit an Eastern Orthodox Church sometime, beautiful iconography, very mature but also welcoming. I think if you appreciate Catholic beauty you would appreciate our beauty!
I love the comments on the lack of greeters. You hit the nail on the head about it being for people at any stage. You shoehorn the greeters in there and it becomes uncomfortable for some people; some people don't want to be noticed.
These are some very good insights. As both a charismatic and a Catholic at the same time, I don't take the least bit of offense at your comparison of praying the rosary and praying in tongues. You hit on the essential element that there is more going on interiorly than there is just with the mouth (or I should say, at least there can be, if one is getting to the point of it.) Also, the point you made about not being greeted by anyone was interesting to hear. A lot of parishes have a sort of guilty feeling about not accosting everyone and making sure they know they've been noticed and welcomed.
I love your videos. I wanted to say that and also holy moly how many priests are in the comments. It's like a priest convention in here. 😂 I did walk into this same church and wow. It was impressive. I'm an exjw.
7:36 Y'know, as a charismatic Catholic, I actually dig this comment. Being present, being in relationship, like two old spouses in rocking chairs not speaking to each other but sharing so much LIFE regardless. Also this dude is a HECK of a lot more charitable than me (and some other Catholics I know cough cough) when it comes to homiletics. Way to give a balanced take.
Honestly super honored that a charismatic Catholic (you guys are like unicorns to me, I hear all about you but rarely see you out in the wild) would be the only person to agree with this comparison. Thanks so much for being here.
Yeah I'm also a charismatic Catholic, and I have a lot of friends who don't really understand it and only associate it with Pentacostalists, sometimes it's tough.
Your lack of interaction with anybody at that church is exactly my experience since I converted to the Catholic church in 2019. Took me 5 years to find a kind, friendly, outgoing congregation. It won't surprise you to learn that my priest, his wife, and the congregation are all an ex-protestant, Roman Catholic congregation in the Ordinariate. They brought their kindness and good manners aith them
Um, even on Easter 7am isn’t going to fetch a lot of folks. And the devout were at a special & lengthy Easter Vigil the night before, most returning for the later morning main mass.
Hey Jared! Came across you channel, probably in the last week. First of all, thank you for still having a love and appreciation for faith. I have seen friends leave the church as a whole and I can always tell that it was never a singular event. It's a process. And I don't know what lead to your current conclusion, but I'll say this, you're loved, brother. You still have a spirit of grace and kindness that I never see from many people I know that left their faith. Many became jaded and it makes me sad. You are loving and have such a warm demeanor about you. While we many have come to different conclusions as of now, you're still my brother created in the image of God. I pray you follow a path that brings you joy and fullfillment. Alot of times we do things in life that bring momentary happiness, but we don't feel fullfilled. I want the opposite for you. I hope Christ will still speak to you in how He sees fit. Needless to say, I love your church audit series. As a lutheran turned Eastern Orthodox, I love your Pascha episode. God bless you, brother!
Unlike Pentecostals speaking in “tongues” the Ave Maria (Hail Mary) actually means something also these people Likely were praying the rosary which is a mediation on the life of Christ the Hail Mary just helps focus us on the mysteries (as they are called) of the rosary it is all note worthy that the Hail Mary is actually from scripture “Hail Mary full of grace the Lord is with thee” Is what the Angel Gabriel says to Mary before he tells her she will become the mother of the Christ “Blessed art thou among women and blest is the fruit of thy womb Jesus” Is how Mary’s cousin Elizabeth greets her when Mary visits her after learning from Gabriel that Elizabeth has conceived even in her old age “Holy Mary Mother of God pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death” Is not in scripture but think about if what is said of Jesus of Nazareth is true would we not want His own Mom to intercede on our behalf especially if this mother of His has not know sin Ave Maria gratia plena Dominus Tecum Benedicta tu in mulieribus Et benedictus fructus ventris to Jesus Sancta Maria Mater Dei Ora pro nobis peccatoribus Nunc et in hora mortis nostrae Amen
You should check out Eastern Orthodox Church services, especially Holy Week services. We do our Easter (also called Pascha) service at 12AM on Sunday, and absolutely epic. God bless☦️
Also since I hear you live in NC (I’m Eastern Orthodox in CLT) you should get in touch with Fr Jonathan Resmini and Fr Christian Siskos of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox cathedral. Of the Orthodox preists I know in CLT I think you’d have some great conversations with them
Many times ,if i watch the Mass on TV ,I just mute the Homily part ,if I know ,who will be the officiating Priest is . If I attend a live one ,I really dont pay attention to the homily. Its not a Joel Osteen type of service,where worshippers ears are glued to what the sermon is about . Then ,after the service ,you feel like you didnt go to church at all .Whereas ,with the Catholic Mass, you feel that you really went to church ,as you offer to God your sacrifice .Ive been in both worlds , but chose to stay in Jesus Christ Catholic Church ,Matthew 16:18 ,since 33 AD.
I know I'm very late to the party, but I visited this cathedral earlier this month and I wonder if it would be meaningful for you to know that the statue of St Augustine that moved you contained a first-class relic, a piece of St Augustine's body.
Hey man, thank you so much for being here. I'm sorry to hear that you're struggling. I struggled for a long time. I hope that wherever your journey takes you, it's filled with awe, beauty, and peace. All the best, friend.
WOW! You made the BEST Catholic video!!! As a Catholic, I don't make such compliment easily. The ultimate question for you is: Why do you EVEN go to Church? Why did you stay the car and got sick for? To hear a message even a teenage (Sunday School student) can understood and remember (just packaged in a different way?)? To be entertained? As an adult (as you mentioned in the video), why? ... My answer (Just My opinion) Most people go to Church to experience the Divine. Hearing and understanding is NOT the only way to experience... With that said, Your brought up a very important point: Some priests' homilies are horrible... there's no deny in that. But I just want you to understand why Catholics are not as upset about that as you would imagine. Finally, as a Catholic, I believe the Holy Spirit was trying to pointing out some blind spots in your spirit life due to your Protectant upbringing (I know, I Know, it's BS to you. sorry, I can't help I a Catholic, sorry)
I hope you are able to come to Mass sometime, so you can experience with us the peace and joy of spending time in the presence of our Eucharistic Lord. You're welcome any time!
I just wanna say I really apprecation how fair you are with your church critiques and that you dont straw man us (I'm a Christian). Love your videos and love you bro!
When I was a student at Flagler College I used to attend the cathedral while I lived on campus. I completely understand what you said about how the preaching style from the different churches varied significantly. Some priests were great and others left me nearly falling asleep during their very short homilies. The building itself was stunning but even thought I attended for a couple years, I never felt "connected" in any way. It's been years since I switched over to a Baptist church, but I did recently visit the cathedral and it felt so strange that not one person greeted the visitors. Maybe the church members and staff tend to make less effort greeting visitors because it's in such a touristy area of town. I could be wrong on that. But as a child I attended a local catholic church and they tended to greet people attending the church.
Its funny in the Catholic faith that we seem to have MANY men who are called to the priesthood that do NOT have the gift of public speaking. Unlike most protestant churches we do not go to church for "The Sermons" as a main event. The celebration of the Eucharist (We believe this to be the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus Christ) is OUR main event. Sermons are usually 10 minutes at most compared to other denominations that might take 40+ minutes for their preaching. I love Bishop Barron and his teaching helped me come back to the Catholic Church after years of Atheism. It was hard to believe the faith and still is but I wanted to know that love is real and only the Catholic Church could make me know that it is real.
That is an excellent point that plenty of people who feel the call to be pastors don’t always feel the call to public speaking. Glad you’ve found your spiritual home, friend.
Praying The Hail Mary, ideally, isnt mindless. It is rhythmic and meditative, and it’s meant to focus your mind on the content of the words, not to empty the mind. It requires a certain level of mindfulness, because there is a pattern to keep to (hence the beads for keeping track). Great video, you’re very respectful and funny. The priest sounded highly discouraged in his vocation 😕
I’m not Roman Catholic. But I used to attend a Catholic school and also be a Catholic school teacher. I appreciate you don’t dump on them for the Rosary (or anything else.) Protestants and atheists both find that easy to do oftentimes.
I went to a Mormon Church for a funeral ten yrs ago and inside that church was plain painted walls and the only thing on any wall was a CLOCK. One clock.
Keep testing, as a believer I strongly believe we are always called, part of this call is to test what's been brought before you. You don't need blind faith!
Christian here. Eastern Orthodox (haven't been practicing in a while tho). I hope you don't attach yourself too much to labels. I mean things like "atheist" or "non-believer". I've never called myself either of these things but I've lived much of my life as though I were one. God doesn't care about labels. God isn't an old man in the sky (that's Zeus iconography). You may be an atheist but you have greater humility and kindness than I do and I have a lot to learn still. I appreciate your integrity and honesty, but I appreciate your humility most of all. It's really beautiful and I aspire to be as virtuous as a humble atheist myself. I hope you keep trying to go to Catholic or Orthodox services, the beauty really does draw you in to the transcendental and out of this world. Humility is a kind of beauty too. It's not a beauty you can see with your eyes, but you can definitely feel it and it draws you up to the transcendent in the same way. I do believe that it's better to be a humble atheist than a prideful believer. We modern Christians (especially in America) have really twisted what it means to "believe" from swearing your allegiance to the transcendent but humble to accepting some propositions about history. It makes for a very shallow and empty feeling faith. I understand what it's like to be that religious fanatic 15 year old. It's not a good way to live. I'm sorry that you have to go through that. I just wanted you to know that I've learned from your videos and I really appreciate you making these. You might not have realized it, but it is actually possible to be "Christian" without knowing, just as it's possible to be un-Christian without knowing. What you do really does matter more than what you profess.
That was such a heartfelt confession at the end of the video... Of you looking at the icon of Saint Augustine and being touched by it. You made me tear up. I pray that the Lord answers your prayers, whether you vocalize your search to God or it happens subconsciously, in these small encounters... like the one you had when standing in front of the icon. "Lord I believe, help my unbelief!" (Mark 9:24)
You’re doing good work man! The smartest people will always tend to feel that inexplicable attraction to the Catholic church, even the non believers. It is the faith that satisfies both the intellectual hunger as well as the longing for the divine. When your heart finally softens enough, you’ll be ready to come home.
Catholic churches are very hit and miss for pastor sermons. But the catholic church is not really sermon oriented. The orthodox and catholics view the eucharist as the most important part of the service and dont put as much emphasis on the sermon as protestants who dont view the Eucharist as the center of the religious service.
I heard what you were saying about the sculpture of Saint Augustine, what you were experiencing was communion with the Saints. We believe that, even when they’re dead, they still are alive and in communion with God and in communion with us here on Earth. Sometimes God calls us through his saints. I would invite you to meditate on the life of Saint Augustine. I do believe he is praying for you. PS. There is also a good movie of his life. I think they have it at Amazon.
Hello!! I’m from Florida as well!! Pensacola and St Augustine have had the longest back and forth about who’s older. Pensacola was the first settlement. It is the oldest town. St Augustine, is the oldest town to be continuously lived in. People have always lived in St.Augustine, Pensacola was first, but hasn’t been continuously inhabited. It was founded before!! Just a fun fact lol
Hi Jared, Good afternoon. Listening to this video was very helpful. I am a practicing Catholic, and I am curious to know if you have looked into the history and background of who Saint Augustine of Hippo was? Did you know that his mother is also a saint. Santa monica.❤
7:38 spot on! Only the better comparison is Buddhist prayer ropes. In fact the Desert Monks of Egypt probably started Christian prayer beads the Buddhist tradition come up on the silk rd
I really love these church audits. Gives me a better sense of the humanity of religion as a whole - giving a perspective outside of my previous baptism and traditional swedish protestanism. I absolutely love how beutiful the church can be, though i will admit I'm a bit cynical concidering the history of how church has been run. As you said, people has poured their heart into this hopefully in a good way. . Edit: That last bit hit me hard. We might have left "God" but the teaching of "God" didnt leave us.
you should read the book of your fellow Swede conversion story to Catholicism . He was a staunch anti Catholic Megachurch Pastor ,largest non denominational church in Sweden then,dont know now . He mentored several Evangelical Pastors .When he announced to his congregation that he and his wife were converting to Catholicism ,they were stunned ,as they knew who he was . His name is Ulf Ekman .He travelled to many parts of the world preaching the Gospel ,prior to his conversion .If Im not mistaken ,he built thousands of churches globally ,prior to his conversion ..... Just remember ,the Catholic Church is the hospital for Saints and Sinners .
I get it man. I was raised Mormon (Lord have mercy) and when I left that silly cult I was pretty bitter and cynical. Well, I'm still cynical but I found truth in The Catholic Church. The church has have millennia of scandals. That used to worry me. Then I realized it was having scandals even in Jesus's days. Thomas doubting, the confusion with the Judaizers, Judas outright betraying Christ. Scandals dont effect the ultimate truth of Christ. Obviously I want the causes of scandals investigated and if found guilty of heresies or secular crimes reprimanded as any other criminal would and should be, but the scandals are not related to or having any effect on the truth and holiness of the Church.
Forgive me for this a thought, and I dont mean as an insult, I had a similar experience as yours by bouncing church to church. Im starting to think that you're probably not an Atheist, I think you just fed up with the Dumb radical/fundamentalist crap that has been hurting every church for a while.I think you desire Sacredness, a church with beauty, a church you want to feel at home and everyone singing heavenly choir and everything that doesn't feel like a business. I felt this way. I came from a Baptist/Calvinist background. The Preachers/Pastors weren't crazy but they did their best, I asked them questions about like, "How come we dont do old hymns anymore?" "Why the screaming and shouting?" They just responded that Im,"an old man trapped in a young mans body." For a while, I was frustrated at the Church. When I moved to Texas, I was bouncing denomination to denomination, even reading theology, then I heard a whisper that said, "Do it!" Somehow, I drove to the nearest Orthodox Church and been going there since. Feel free to disagree, and this is not one of those "Haha, I finally figured you out" kind of things (but it kind of is, please dont hate for this). I just tell you, as a brother in Christ, you will find Christ again. You just need the right Church and the right people who aren't afraid to share their views. Thank you And to answer your question In your I am an Atheist Video Will God use an Atheist for his plans? Of course he will!! God uses everyone!! We all fall short under the Glory of God!! You are still a child of God. And since you visited Saint Agustines church, Read Agustine's Confessions, he got really deep and philosophical, I would give it a read!!
I would definitely read Confessions by St Augustine! Its an absolutely brilliant autobiography and he in a lot of ways is a great Saint for these times. He grew up a pagan, lived a very hedonistic life (like many of us do today), but came out the other side a great saint. Will be praying for you!
Hi Jarod. Very good video here. I had an idea about your interesting with the busy of St Augustine. He wrote a book entitled 'Confessions.' It's about his struggle with God, and religion in general. It's a good read, and I think it may be pertinent to your personal religious experience. I suggest you read it. I pray your journey of faith brings you to the truth.
You will be in my prayers! May God guide you! Much love! (I know this was said already)The reason the Rosary is repetitive is so we can meditate on the life of Christ. I know you said mindlessly, but optimally, it is done mindFULLY. God bless!
I know you've probably heard people telling you to look into all sorts of miracles, but I think you might find the Tilma of Our Lady of Guadalupe fascinating, while you're looking at Catholicism in what was once New Spain. How the cloth lasted hundreds of years longer than it should have, how scientists can find no trace of paint or any indication on how the image was made, how Our Lady's eyes in the image refract light in a way that should be impossible, how Aztec pagan priests recognized the coded symbolism and converted en masse after seeing the image. It's a beautiful piece of history. I'll be praying for you!
Cradle Catholic here - Thanks for your insight - and yes you are spot on about the 'blah' sermon - unfortunately that is not exactly uncommon in certain parishes. Fortunately, we go not to the mass for the sermon but rather for the Eucharist and it's efficacy is NOT dependent on ANY virtue of the priest or his sermon! Yes, the rosary IS a powerful meditation that both helps draw one closer to Christ whilst simultaneously offers brief respite from the nagging carnality of our condition. And yes, it was our believing grandfathers and ancestors who lovingly crafted these churches like this with their own hands - their very souls alive in Christ and their work, touching yours! ;) FYI, You are far too perceptive to remain 'an atheist' forever away - we will be cheering you on, on your return, wheneverst you are ready to 'come back home' !! ;)
Something to consider is that Catholics don't go to mass for the homily. In fact, it's entirely optional within the service and often skipped or ~1 minute during daily mass. We go to worship the truine Godhead and that (should at least) be the primary focus of any mass. That said, the American Catholic Church has pretty terrible homilies especially among the older generation of priests. I've found most priests under 30 are pretty awesome speakers, typically this is because they preach in the style and content of the fathers of the church. The older priests attempt an Amercian psuedo-protestant style and often fail miserably at their homilies because our Catholic beliefs don't work or function well within that frame. Enjoyed the video! Would love to see you try a traditional latin mass or an eastern divine liturgy. The focus there should be more clear and Catholic: Mass isn't about us.
Former Catholic here! I definitely get this experience. I've rarely heard a good homily, though most have some enthusiasm at least. If anything, the weirdest part of Catholicism I experienced, and idk how common this is for Protestant churches, despite being raised Protestant, is how difficult it can be to find someone to talk to about the faith. Like, I would email priests and not hear back, having to speak with a Deacon or layperson who was a group leader to find out anything and not the trained professionals who went to seminary for this stuff. Maybe that was just an anomaly with the two Catholic churches near me, but I suspect the disconnect between lay people and clergy may not be terribly uncommon.
About the buildings: In Maastricht in the Netherlands they converted an old catholic church to a beautiful book store, keeping as much of the building in tact as possible. Another church turned into a hotel with the same respect for the beauty.
One important point to consider about the role of art and "razzle-dazzle" is the dual nature of existence in the Christian faith. According to Christianity, Jesus was both fully God and fully human. Similarly, humans are composed of both body and soul, and creation encompasses both the physical and the metaphysical. This duality is often overlooked; the human, bodily, and physical aspects of existence are frequently relegated to secondary importance compared to the divine, spiritual, and metaphysical. Both sides are important. That is to say, we are not purely spiritual beings-we have bodies, and we experience the world through our senses. The Catholic liturgy reflects this understanding by engaging both body and soul in worship. The liturgy’s use of motion (such as kneeling, standing, processions, and making the sign of the cross) and materials (like holy water, incense, various holy oils, and the colours of the Eucharist) ensures that our bodies are actively involved in worship. This complements the engagement of our minds and souls when we read the Gospel or contemplate God. The same principle applies to visual arts and music; they stir our entire being by appealing to our bodily senses of sight and hearing, and through them, inspire our minds and spirits. In this way, I see "razzle-dazzle" not as mere superficiality but as a means of speaking to our spirit through our body and our humanity. It is an integrated way of honoring the fullness of who we are-both physical and spiritual-by using the beauty and sensory experiences of the material world to draw us closer to the divine.
I really appreciate these videos, you're very sincere and I appreciate your opinion. Regarding your thoughts on the churches of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints--I think it'd be interesting to see you take a tour of an open house for one of the Church's Temples. They are absolutely beautiful on the inside and the out, and like you said in your video on visiting the fast and testimony meeting a few months ago, they kind of offset the rather plain buildings. I'm curious to see if you'd have a similar reaction to seeing the temple as you visiting one of these beautiful Catholic churches. It might be good to make a friend with a Latter-Day Saint that may be able to help explain some of the very symbolic meaning in the temple. Anyways, just something that I think would be interesting to see. Thanks again for these videos Jared!
Endlessly appreciate your kind words, man. I’m actually still in touch with the missionaries who initially invited me to the church as their investigator a couple months back. They were super gracious with their review of my review. You’re totally right! I would absolutely love to visit one of the temples. Honestly, I’m sure it’s just a matter of time before I wind up in Utah visiting some major sites out there. Thanks for being here!
Being a Catholic, I think this is one of the Church's challenges. We sometimes (if not always) choose a priest we want to attend the Holy Mass with due to how good they provide sermons/homilies. I believe that this may cause division as well. Other people in our country get attracted to convert to Protestantism since they are more focused on the scriptures and it makes them understand the scripture way better rather than some Catholic sermons. It reminds me quite of the first chapter in Paul's letter to the Corinthians where people have been following church leaders and therefore the church seems to be divided because of it. Even some priests have quite the "below the belt" and snarky jokes in their homilies/sermons which makes us really want to find a more decent priest.
Lived in St. Augustine. Remember Mass there. Good times. Found the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints there and converted like five years later.
“I spent a lot of my years wrestling with god. And even though I don’t believe anymore I still walk with a limp from all of that wrestling. And I want to make that all of those years of striving weren’t for nothing” damn, you killed me with that. I’ve never been able to put those feelings into words.
Hahahaha one of the things Pope Francis tried to address in his early days when he first became Pope was educating priests/seminarians in how to give a compelling homily or sermon (homilies reference the readings of that week, sermons can be about anything religious). Not sure how well that effort is going but he definitely recognized the need. What you said at the end about just... sitting with the iconography is part of the point. Catholics don't literally worship the iconography (as some non-Catholics incorrectly believe) - it is a meditative aid meant to inspire you. Like a writing prompt in a creative writing class: the iconography is a "prayer prompt" to give you a nudge on whatever religious topic you want to think about. You should ABSOLUTELY do an hour of eucharistic adoration: try in a church and also in a small room or chapel. After that, you should make it a point to go to a Buddhist temple and do an hour of meditation. I imagine they are oddly similar. You could even do two videos and then do a third compare/contrast video on them. The nice thing about these spaces is that they're intentionally free of distractions. They're so quiet and removed from the outside world - they really do provide a great place to meditate (and/or pray if you're religious).
I'm pretty sure that the speaking in tongues miracle in the bible meant that no matter what language they were using, people could understand the speaker. That's the opposite of what we get in churches nowadays.
Hey! I know this video is from five months ago, and there is little to no possibility that you will see this comment, but.. I wanted to say that I'm really sorry you didn't have the best experience with this particular church, and I really hope it didn't tint your view of catholicism too much. And I'm saying this as an ex catholic :) I love this branch of Christianity, the glorious and sometimes over the top churches and rituals, the holiday draditions, the songs and the organ music( the music in general, but the organs are usually the best), i love it's deep (and sometimes disturbing) history and the fact that it's "reserved" and doesn't seem to try and shove something down your throat. I do love a lot about it. It's a shame we can't choose our beliefs. Maybe if you'll have an extra minute, try visiting the Christmas mass again ( perhaps even for Christmas, the selebration is also usually held at night and it's waay cooler than Easter) and if you're ever in Belarus, Minsk pay a visit to the Cathedral of the Holy Name of Saint Virgin Mary, it's pretty nice :)
Hey Jared! A friend of mine sent me a link to your talk with Paul VanderKlay, and I wasn't sure if you'd check the comments there so I figured I'd leave a reply here instead.
For what it's worth, and I obviously have no idea what that might be to you, I'm praying for you. For peace, for well being, and most of all for truth. I was also in my early 20s when I abandoned the faith I was brought up in and became a Nihilist, and the comment you made "I wouldn't wish it on anyone" is felt to my bones. I don't think someone can understand that feeling until they've been down in the pit themselves. It is hell on Earth.
I was glad to hear you have love of others in your heart, though. That wasn't the case for me. Thankfully I had a few people I did care about, and that got me through to the other side without my own death or the hurting of many others. And man was it bright once I got to that other side. I won't get preachy, I don't expect that's what you need (though I don't suppose to know), but again for what it's worth I will attest that giving my life to service under Christianity - solid, full, sometimes-personally-disagreeable Christianity - has been a little glimpse of heaven. I don't know if it is true, and honestly I don't even know if we can know. I think it may very well be that Doubt is purposefully built into the thing. So we get to experience and deal with it. But at the very least I know God loves me now, and that He loves you, too. And Christianity (that solid, orthodox form thats been around for 1994 years) is the best system I've found to explain that love. I keep looking, because for me truth is paramount, but so far, this is really solid ground.
Anyway, I'm rambling now. I wish you peace and fullness of truth, and I don't think I'd be of any use but if for some reason you ever want to talk to some random guy who has been down that road, never hesitate to send me a DM or reply or however this sort of thing is done on RUclips, lol. Have a most excellent week.
If every proclamation of the Gospel were this gracious, I would want the whole world to be full of Christians.
@@HeliocentricOfficial Enjoyed your video. I think you would really appreciate St. Augustine's works. He stated, "Our hearts are restless until it rest in you O Lord." Praying for you on your journey of researching and investigating the faith.
As an Orthodox priest, your little discourse on beauty and your criticism of the modern “default” of blandness and a lack of beauty and aesthetic effort is fully on point.
Catholic priest here. Sorry you had a rubbish homily, bad homilies are all too common. I reckon the fact you went to 7am will have made this a pretty “low mass” (less solemnity). It’s a shame you weren’t able to go the Easter vigil the night before. It’s the main liturgy of the entire year, and really something else, I’d encourage you to try it next Easter. It’s long though, I do warn you!
Its only long for those concerned with other matters. For many including myself its arguably much too short.
I actually attended mass at this parish shortly after easter on vacation. The homily was fine then but I’m disappointed he got a bad experience
I’d also say he should visit one of the eastern catholic rites. I myself usually attend a Maronite divine liturgy more often than my native roman rite (in part due to distance oddly enough)
@@MinionThomist it's possible that the Easter vigil according to the pre-1955 rubrics is longer, I found a 4h recording on RUclips at St. Joan of Arc, FSSP
I’m a seminarian discerning the Catholic priesthood, I HEAR YOU when it comes to priests giving weird homilies, lmao. Love you bro
I'm surprised these don't get more views. They are really quite good. You clearly take a lot of care putting them together, you have a good way of walking the line between honesty and being a jerk. They're really quite impressive.
I am still shocked by (1) how much this guy knows about the faith, (2) that he seems to have gone full atheist while still leaning on and leveraging the value of that knowledge, and yet (3) that he's so respectful and insightful of the ways in which he still involves himself with the faith. Dude, the hound of heaven is after you.
Something important to remember when talking about the mass is that catholic worship is not centered around preaching but rather around the celebration of the Eucharist. You are certainly right about boring homilies though. Great video, I enjoyed it a lot.
Yes, that’s true, but the Homily is a vital part of the Mass which is the celebration of the Eucharistic. Specifically, the Homily should strengthen our devotion to Christ in Eucharist and contextualize our celebration of the Eucharist to our everyday lives.
I agree with you, but it’s also true that strong homilies make for stronger and better celebrations of the Eucharist.
Another Catholic priest here. What a great video! You come across as a really likeable, open, and thoughtful guy. When you spoke about St. Augustine, I noticed that your voice became more solemn, like your relationship with him might be meaningful? I love when you said that even though you don't believe anymore, you still walk with a limp from the wrestling. If wrestling isn't a part of faith in God, I don't know what is! Keep wrestling man, and let us know how it goes!!
I am a Catholic Priest. This was a fantastic video. Sitting through 1990s American Catholicism I always questioned growing up "how did things get so banal and boring?" His commentary about bad Catholic preaching is true.
After degrees in mathematics and philosophy, I realized Catholicism is the most logical. Thus I am a priest. Else I'd probably be an atheist.
The elegance and beauty baked into Catholicism is transcendent and is not irrational but rather supra-rational. It is hauntingly beautiful and elegantly ordered. And yet there is a chaotic element that is relatable because it is filled with fellow humans.
Awesome video. Catholic priest here as well - and you are spot on with the comments about "blah" preaching. As the saying goes, "If you are going to preach the Good News, then why aren't you happy about it?"
You know, some mass services don't even have a homily.... The priest may decide to skip it. Usually happens at the weekday masses. I haven't seen it very often at the Sunday mass.
This is actually so lovely. You picked up exactly why I love being catholic so well. Really respectful and really perceptive
The reason people were saying Hail Marys before the service was because, before most services in most Churches, the faithful pray the rosary together. Also, the reason why the rosary is repetitious is because the rosary is about meditating on the life of Jesus (with the luminous, sorrowful, joyful, and glorious mysteries), so we repetitively say prayers to get in a meditative state. I'm sorry that the homily was poor; I do hope it was just a bad day for the Priest (though, Easter is the commemoration of the greatest event ever), and hope you would give him the benefit of the doubt. Catholics also don't tend to be as welcoming as evangelicals, and there are many reasons for that. I am hoping to become a Catholic Priest (going into seminary soon), so I will certainly take heed your suggestion of "don't be boring." Peace and goodness!
Thank you for your explanation of the Rosary-you saved me some typing!
A little “boring” is good for us faithful, father-to-be! “Eat your oatmeal!” Seriously.
I wouldn't say evangelicals are welcoming lol they're lovebombing and that's not the same. If I'm joining a group of any sort, and I get there and everyone wants to be my best friend and just know all about me, I'm outta there. That's not honest true interest and friendship, that's setting the hooks of peer pressure and control. If I join a group and people are nice but mind their own business, that's real. That's somewhere you can build an honest friendship. The fake love feels like walking into a used car lot lol
"I'm an atheist. Where's your devotion?" was so funny 😂
Great video. I would challenge the idea of contrasting the Catholic Church to a fundamentalist Baptist one, as if they do not “tell you what to believe” and “leave it between you and God.”
Perhaps THE defining feature of the Catholic Church is the magisterium and the papacy. There is much greater theological unity among Catholics than Protestants, and the Catechism is incredibly thorough.
There is an expectation of regular attendance, confession, etc.
They perhaps don’t bombard you with that immediately, but if you actually desire to join the church, it becomes relevant.
I hope you don’t take this the wrong way, but I’m praying for you and this project.
Your comments towards the end of this video actually sum up why my dad converted from the Baptist Church to Catholicism. (My mom was Catholic and, when they got engaged, didn’t want him to change his religion on her account.) He said he found a “warmth” in Catholicism that he hadn’t found in the church of his youth.
Hey, Helio. Hope you're doing well, brother. Always here if you need an ear. Love your stuff. Keep up the great work🙏🏻
Hi Jared, I'm a Catholic convert from Evangelical Protestantism. I'm also studying for my Masters in Theology with a concentration in Thomistic Theology. This is the second video of yours that I've watched. There is something refreshing about your videos. You are kind and charitable but well reasoned. You are informed and your heart is in the right place in doing these videos to help people. I appreciate what you are doing.
As for the Rosary, I'm also working my way into entering the Dominican Order as a Tertiary (I was at the time of my conversion and still am happily married) and the Rosary is a Dominican prayer. It is meant to be meditative and each decade (10 Hail Marys separated by a Glory Be and Our Father) focuses on the mysteries of the incarnation. This is because it was originally meant as an evangelization tool to a group of gnostics in Spain and France called the Albegensians. Since literacy was at a low point in the 1200s this was a way of explaining that the material world is a good by pointing to Christ's participation in it. Thus the Hail Mary is born of the Scriptures about the Annunciation. If you ever want to look into what it entails, the Dominican version is my favorite as it starts more...um...Psalmatically...I guess. It's also shorter.
As for not being greeted, your observations here were spot on. Most Catholics attend Mass primarily for the Eucharist. We go to receive our Lord and to participate in his sacrifice. Everything else is kind of secondary. Bad homilies are commonplace, but as you said the beauty of the Church is amazing (I often zone out at homilies and get caught up in an amazing piece at our Church of Christ on the Cross, this has actually led to some pretty profound ideas).
Lastly, your ending on St Augustine...was fantastic. I'm glad you were moved, even if you do not believe. You stated that you "don't believe anymore", maybe it's more of a you "don't believe right now". If God does exist, and believe he does based not only on faith and experience but also reason, then he will continue to prick at your heart. You seem too good and too smart for him not to. If that does happen, or when it does, I think you will find this period of time not only very helpful to yourself, but also to those who have watched your content. I'll remember you in my Rosary today, thank you for your kindness and charity. I hope the peace of the Lord is with you.
Catholic Priest here. Loved the video Jared! One thing I try not to be is boring-a boring priest is a crime.
"You have made us for yourself and our heart is restless until it rests in you." Augustine said those words at the start of his Confessions. He is a man who knows what it means to walk with doubts and questions. I really appreciate your words and candor in this video! Your questions and your journey matter. "In the end is my beginning," T.S. Eliot wrote in his Four Quartets. Whichever end your questions lead you to can be the beginning of something else as well. Keep asking your questions.
Those words were the introduction to my first album.
ruclips.net/video/sf_PuJx0L8U/видео.html
Dude one of the best parts of being Catholic is the short homilies. Ain't nobody overly interested in what Father's got to say unless he's St Francis de Sales or something, and if you want, you can join the Bible study and have it out to your heart's content. Short, pithy, to the point - I need this. The thing I miss LEAST about Methodism. We're there for the Eucharist.
Christian here, really appreciate your approach from the couple of videos I've seen so far. I'm quite moved by your experience with St. Augustine, you're spot on about his wrestling with God. May God bless your journey and may all of his saints pray for you!
This is my diocese, that Priest who gave the sermon you said you actually enjoyed is actually our Bishop, Bishop Erik Polhmeir lol. As a lifelong atheist and recent Catholic Revert, seeing you give this impressive review of the place where I was originally confirmed was an awesome experience. Thank you for this video and God Bless.
I spent a long time searching to figure out what I truly believe. I'm a relatively recent convert Catholic and you put into words why I love my Catholic faith and the Church more succinctly than I ever could. The incomprehensible beauty and the humanity and also the occasional bad sermon haha. I'm not sure where your searching will lead you, but you are a good soul. God bless you, wherever life takes you
I absolutely love hearing the way you think. May the spirit stay with you
13:10 You're and adult and you are here to sort out your own business with God, we're not here to micromanage you--- one of the best summaries of my Church I have heard ever. I love it
As a Floridian, I have to point out that we're set up for tourists. We expect there to be folks all.up in our spaces who are here today and are going to be halfway across the planet tomorrow. Then, when you consider that Catholics are meant to go to church A LOT, you have to realize that Catholic churches here get a massive number of one time or short term visitors. Add to that the desired anonymity of Catholic activities like confession or coming to light a candle and pray the rosary in the sanctuary, even during off hours, and I think you'll realize that the lack of warm freezing and invitation to return is a feature rather than a bug.
Former Atheist turn Catholic who stumbled onto this video. Appreciate the sincerity. But goodness gracious, please to conflate the Rosary with Tongues. While the Rosary may seem mindless, it is intentionally a very mindful devotion, particularly now-a-days where the practice of imaginative mental prayer has taken hold where people, while praying to Mary, imagine the announced Mysteries. It's a very intentional and controlled practice. In contrast, speaking in tongues is very much a spontaneous and clearing practice, as someone who've seen people do it and talk to them about it. It is a very different practice, and although may seem similar from a cursory glance, it's kinda like calling Meatballs Falafel: they look similar, but function, taste and foundationally are entirely different.
As for your criticism of the Priest's Homily, if your depiction of it is true, that's a fair criticism. It's a very far Cry from the Paschal Homilies of the likes of Saint John Chrysostom and Saint Augustine. Very fair. I recommend reading them to see the golden standard.
Your general comments about Lukewarm Catholicism is not a sentiment unique to yourself. Stay on any Catholic message board or Catholic comment section and you'll see the same critique. As a convert, I feel you. However, its very much something that appeared due to some recent Church History, and speaking and hearing Seminaries and Young Priests, I think it's on the way out.
Finally, as a former Atheist, I've got a question: have you heard of Eucharistic Miracles? If not, I recommend reading a book called 'A Cardiologist Examines Jesus'. If you have, what's your reservations about the topic?
Man, cradle Catholic here, and I just stumbled across your channel.
I'm still practicing 34 years later, but believe me, I feel your wrestling as a kindred spirit and know that pain. I still wrestle with God, but I have also experienced moments of warmth and profound peace from my Catholic faith I can't explain away. And on the days when it's harder to believe, that gorgeous patrimony that so affected your spirit is what holds me home here, if anything because it's a testament to my ancestors in the faith who worked and suffered so much (even dying for Christ) that I feel like it would be a disgrace not to pass that torch to the next generation.
Just wanted to say you are so insightful and gifted at communicating your thoughts. You got the point of the ornamentation of our churches spot on: it exists as a means of evangelization and a reflection of one of the attributes of God, beauty itself, but also to give glory to him as the source of all truth, goodness, and beauty. That it uplifts our spirits is just another of his abundant graces to us.
Secondly, as some others have pointed out, your experience at an early Easter mass was likely a low mass, though even at the more grandiose ones later in the morning, you never know quite what you're going to get. I'll let you in on a little secret as a cantor who's sung for countless Holy Week liturgies: Easter Sunday is the end of a MARATHON for the clergy and musicians, and like Christmas, it brings out every sort of character from the woodwork, so it's always a bit of a shitshow, but I'm glad the bishop you saw on the later livestream remembered his vocation as a shepherd and evangelist of the Good News.
Something else to keep in mind is that the Catholic Church can often be a victim of its own success throughout history. Being as large as it is, you cannot escape meeting an insane gamut of types "Catholics," both lay people and clergy, who range from "cultural Catholics" to "rad trads," so as much as I wish visiting a Catholic church was a consistent experience, the Church is going through a kind of refinement at the moment for resting on her laurels too long (some might even say a chastisement, but knowing your background I hasten to add that we understand this always in the sense of a Father who loves his children enough to discipline them, even when it's painful, for their ultimate good rather than not caring enough to let them persist in error).
In any case, loved hearing your thoughts, loved your shirt, by the way, and love you for honestly seeking the truth, as hard as it is. Your reflection on St. Augustine made me tear up at the end.
You know he said, "Our hearts were made for thee, O Lord, and they are restless until they rest in thee," so I'll ask him to pray for you to find that rest you clearly desire.
Thanks!
Whoops! So sorry I missed this until now!
Thank you so, so much friend!
This was a wonderful video. Such an honest and sincere (and humorous) review of what many people, myself included, have experienced. I am now a Catholic deacon, so I worry very much that the Good News of Jesus will get lost in my poor preaching (I actually post my sermons on my youtube page, in the hope they might nevertheless be a help to someone). I think what Jared said about coming to a church outside of Mass can be very powerful. And I would recommend that Jared, or anyone who is questioning or searching, read St. Augustine's Confessions. You will likely find a kindred spirit in him. God bless you all.
You should attend a traditional latin mass, I hope it can offer a new perspective of the Catholic faith and Christianity in general. Thanks for the great video and God bless.
Was just about to skip this because I wasn’t sure it was for me. I’m glad I didn’t. I appreciate your honesty, and humor. There is always a place for you here, but understand it needs to the right time for you. I applaud you for wrestling with it, it sounds like you have a little more to go. Look forward to checking in on your videos.
Great work, thanks for reviewing my Church! Appreciate your openness and wide perspective. You should review a Traditional Latin Mass some time!
Your words at the end spoke to me. The same happens to me at times. I'm not Christian (deconverted five or so years ago) and even so, a sermon will hit hard. Or I see true compassion expressed through action that makes me long for a faith like that. Then, I hear about millionaire preachers rebuking a woman in front of the congregation for not supporting their sexual predator husband and I no longer see the good. The teaching or Christianity misses the mark on many things and yet contains such beauty and care. Thank you.
7:51 I'm ashamed to have burst out laughing
In one of Dostoevsky's letters he wrote, "My hosanna is born in a furnace of doubt." Just as you said you felt a kindred spirit with Augustine, I've felt the same in looking at the St. Jared "bust" of a couple of your videos. If you're ever in Northern Colorado, we're in Fort Collins. I'd be happy to buy you a beer.
Haha, I just missed you then! I was in Denver earlier this week.
That's insanely kind of you to say, man. If our paths ever cross, I'll absolutely take you up on that beer.
All the best.
Hey Jared, I happened upon your channel and I love it. I am a Catholic myself, and appreciated your genuine appreciation (or lack thereof lol) for this particular Easter Liturgy. It's frustrating to go to such a reverent, holy, beautiful place as a cathedral or a basilica, only to have it contrasted with a poorly written or lazily delivered homily. It's all too abundant here! Something I wanted to share is that, as a Catholic, these moments, although frustrating, are in some ways incredibly comforting to me. What I mean by that is - as you put it to start - there's a facilitation going on here.
It doesn't matter if I'm the most enthusiastic believer or doubting and on the final threads of my will to believe... hell, it doesn't even matter if the priest is either... Christ is still making Himself truly present to me in the Eucharist. There's a reality going on that's not dependent on how I feel, or how much I "contribute", or how good (or bad) I've behaved since the previous Sunday. He's there. That's what keeps me showing up - the knowledge even in my doubts, He's going to show up regardless of whether I do. And for someone who grew up with the strange idea that I have to earn love from the people around me, that idea does pretty well to curb that inclination (at least for me).
I grapple with some of the same concerns and questions you do, but still on the faith side. As so many here are, I'm praying for you - for a peace and solace that's better than mine and for your well-being overall.
P.S. I haven't perused your channel enough yet, but my opinion is that Christmas Mass is better in the Roman Rite, Easter is better in the Eastern Rites of the Catholic Church. Definitely give it a go, it'll knock your socks off. Shout out to my pals in the Ruthenian Byzantine Catholic Church and the Greek Melkite Catholic Church!
"Very adult, very mature." (Catholic theologian and biblical studies lecturer in the comments) This was a most astute observation about Catholicism here. The Catholic Church, while being 'a church,' is in its own self-understanding *the Church* - 'the Catholic Church.' Katholikos meaning universal. It is not simply a community or a place of worship, it is a culture. There is no welcome committee at the door because if you come through the doors you belong there. It is like entering a country; you are a visitor or a refugee, you are granted the freedom to be there. And by initiation you are made a citizen (if you so wish).
This was an excellent video. Thank you.
Wow! I love your perceptive, respectful observations!
Gotta say- we have a lot of meh homilies as Catholics. Sometimes the music is even worse! (Lifelong church musician and director here!)
For Catholics, it;s all about the Eucharist. God is literally right there with us. So- sometimes the other stuff falls by the wayside a bit, it's just a vessel.
Just think of the brave priests that were imprisoned in the Holocaust and saved a bit of bread to use for Eucharist- they celebrated Mass right there in the bunkers without any fanfare and maybe not a lot of inspirational talk- but they received this Medicine that is the Bread of Life.
----
By the way- I think you have a lot more Faith as an Atheist than a lot of "believers". Your heart is so sincere.
Thank you again for these fascinating videos!
The ending of your video made me tear up. Beautifully put man….I grew up southern Baptist and ran as far away as I could when I became an adult. I was a stead fast atheist up until about a year ago. And I don’t even know why. Some unknown urge led me to buy a bible. I did some research on which translation was the most scholarly and academically translated. That led me to purchasing the RSV2 Catholic Bible. I really was just reading it as an academic exercise, but I also couldn’t explain the weird feeling I would get when reading it. Then out of the blue RUclips recommended a video where a Catholic father talked about the theory of evolution with stunning scientific accuracy, and explained how nothing in Genesis tells us evolution or the Big Bang isn’t real. That was the last straw. I started going to mass and started the process of getting confirmed as a catholic. I struggled for SO long with my faith, and I know that feeling you had at the end of the video. No matter where your path in life leads you, I’ll always be rooting for you.
And also, your music fucking rules!
Definitely agreed with the point about how churches should be beautiful. Your surroundings affect how you feel. A blank, dull church doesn't make you feel good. It doesn't have to be fancy, but man, give me something that makes me think the building is used by human beings.
As a Roman Catholic, I really get you. To answer your question like "Why did you sign up for this?'", it is because we believe that priesthood is a vocation (a calling). Similar to soldiers who are called on a mission to dedicate their life to serving the military (for sure not all of them are as great in holding a rifle). Basically, God calls them to become a priest. Despite how boring they may be in speaking and delivering their sermons. This reminds me of Exodus 4:10. When Moses was called by God as the Burning Bush. Moses replied, "Please, Lord, I’m not a good speaker. I’ve never been a good speaker, and I’m not now, even though you’ve spoken to me. I speak slowly, and I become tongue-tied easily.”
First time seeing your channel! Thank you for being so generous. You should visit an Eastern Orthodox Church sometime, beautiful iconography, very mature but also welcoming. I think if you appreciate Catholic beauty you would appreciate our beauty!
As a fellow Orthodox christian, I second this!
You’ll never guess what I did last Sunday. 😏
Yes, the Eastern church have really developed beauty in their liturgy.
Your sincerity had me choked up. May Christ give you peace.
I love the comments on the lack of greeters. You hit the nail on the head about it being for people at any stage. You shoehorn the greeters in there and it becomes uncomfortable for some people; some people don't want to be noticed.
These are some very good insights. As both a charismatic and a Catholic at the same time, I don't take the least bit of offense at your comparison of praying the rosary and praying in tongues. You hit on the essential element that there is more going on interiorly than there is just with the mouth (or I should say, at least there can be, if one is getting to the point of it.) Also, the point you made about not being greeted by anyone was interesting to hear. A lot of parishes have a sort of guilty feeling about not accosting everyone and making sure they know they've been noticed and welcomed.
I love your videos. I wanted to say that and also holy moly how many priests are in the comments. It's like a priest convention in here. 😂
I did walk into this same church and wow. It was impressive. I'm an exjw.
7:36 Y'know, as a charismatic Catholic, I actually dig this comment. Being present, being in relationship, like two old spouses in rocking chairs not speaking to each other but sharing so much LIFE regardless. Also this dude is a HECK of a lot more charitable than me (and some other Catholics I know cough cough) when it comes to homiletics. Way to give a balanced take.
Honestly super honored that a charismatic Catholic (you guys are like unicorns to me, I hear all about you but rarely see you out in the wild) would be the only person to agree with this comparison.
Thanks so much for being here.
Yeah I'm also a charismatic Catholic, and I have a lot of friends who don't really understand it and only associate it with Pentacostalists, sometimes it's tough.
Traditional gothic churches have been turned into bars in some places. And it feels odd, like, really odd.
Your lack of interaction with anybody at that church is exactly my experience since I converted to the Catholic church in 2019. Took me 5 years to find a kind, friendly, outgoing congregation. It won't surprise you to learn that my priest, his wife, and the congregation are all an ex-protestant, Roman Catholic congregation in the Ordinariate. They brought their kindness and good manners aith them
Um, even on Easter 7am isn’t going to fetch a lot of folks. And the devout were at a special & lengthy Easter Vigil the night before, most returning for the later morning main mass.
Hey Jared!
Came across you channel, probably in the last week. First of all, thank you for still having a love and appreciation for faith. I have seen friends leave the church as a whole and I can always tell that it was never a singular event. It's a process. And I don't know what lead to your current conclusion, but I'll say this, you're loved, brother. You still have a spirit of grace and kindness that I never see from many people I know that left their faith. Many became jaded and it makes me sad. You are loving and have such a warm demeanor about you. While we many have come to different conclusions as of now, you're still my brother created in the image of God. I pray you follow a path that brings you joy and fullfillment. Alot of times we do things in life that bring momentary happiness, but we don't feel fullfilled. I want the opposite for you. I hope Christ will still speak to you in how He sees fit.
Needless to say, I love your church audit series. As a lutheran turned Eastern Orthodox, I love your Pascha episode. God bless you, brother!
I hope for a world where every presentation of the Gospel is this gracious.
Thank you so much for being here, friend.
"I still walk with a limp from all that wrestling"....woah! I felt that.
Unlike Pentecostals speaking in “tongues” the Ave Maria (Hail Mary) actually means something also these people Likely were praying the rosary which is a mediation on the life of Christ the Hail Mary just helps focus us on the mysteries (as they are called) of the rosary it is all note worthy that the Hail Mary is actually from scripture
“Hail Mary full of grace the Lord is with thee”
Is what the Angel Gabriel says to Mary before he tells her she will become the mother of the Christ
“Blessed art thou among women and blest is the fruit of thy womb Jesus”
Is how Mary’s cousin Elizabeth greets her when Mary visits her after learning from Gabriel that Elizabeth has conceived even in her old age
“Holy Mary Mother of God pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death”
Is not in scripture but think about if what is said of Jesus of Nazareth is true would we not want His own Mom to intercede on our behalf especially if this mother of His has not know sin
Ave Maria
gratia plena
Dominus Tecum
Benedicta tu in mulieribus
Et benedictus fructus ventris to Jesus
Sancta Maria
Mater Dei
Ora pro nobis peccatoribus
Nunc et in hora mortis nostrae
Amen
You should check out Eastern Orthodox Church services, especially Holy Week services. We do our Easter (also called Pascha) service at 12AM on Sunday, and absolutely epic. God bless☦️
Also since I hear you live in NC (I’m Eastern Orthodox in CLT) you should get in touch with Fr Jonathan Resmini and Fr Christian Siskos of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox cathedral. Of the Orthodox preists I know in CLT I think you’d have some great conversations with them
Many times ,if i watch the Mass on TV ,I just mute the Homily part ,if I know ,who will be the officiating Priest is . If I attend a live one ,I really dont pay attention to the homily. Its not a Joel Osteen type of service,where worshippers ears are glued to what the sermon is about . Then ,after the service ,you feel like you didnt go to church at all .Whereas ,with the Catholic Mass, you feel that you really went to church ,as you offer to God your sacrifice .Ive been in both worlds , but chose to stay in Jesus Christ Catholic Church ,Matthew 16:18 ,since 33 AD.
I know I'm very late to the party, but I visited this cathedral earlier this month and I wonder if it would be meaningful for you to know that the statue of St Augustine that moved you contained a first-class relic, a piece of St Augustine's body.
Wow, I'm getting so much from this atheist. Greetings from a strugling Christian.
Hey man, thank you so much for being here.
I'm sorry to hear that you're struggling. I struggled for a long time.
I hope that wherever your journey takes you, it's filled with awe, beauty, and peace.
All the best, friend.
WOW! You made the BEST Catholic video!!! As a Catholic, I don't make such compliment easily.
The ultimate question for you is: Why do you EVEN go to Church? Why did you stay the car and got sick for?
To hear a message even a teenage (Sunday School student) can understood and remember (just packaged in a different way?)?
To be entertained?
As an adult (as you mentioned in the video), why?
...
My answer (Just My opinion)
Most people go to Church to experience the Divine. Hearing and understanding is NOT the only way to experience...
With that said, Your brought up a very important point: Some priests' homilies are horrible... there's no deny in that.
But I just want you to understand why Catholics are not as upset about that as you would imagine.
Finally, as a Catholic, I believe the Holy Spirit was trying to pointing out some blind spots in your spirit life due to your Protectant upbringing (I know, I Know, it's BS to you. sorry, I can't help I a Catholic, sorry)
Welcome to Florida. I live right next to St Augustine. Beautiful city, but never had any impulse to visit the actual Mass.
I hope you are able to come to Mass sometime, so you can experience with us the peace and joy of spending time in the presence of our Eucharistic Lord. You're welcome any time!
I just wanna say I really apprecation how fair you are with your church critiques and that you dont straw man us (I'm a Christian). Love your videos and love you bro!
I've still got a long way to go in becoming as fair and honest as I can be. 'Preciate you being here, homie.
When I was a student at Flagler College I used to attend the cathedral while I lived on campus. I completely understand what you said about how the preaching style from the different churches varied significantly. Some priests were great and others left me nearly falling asleep during their very short homilies. The building itself was stunning but even thought I attended for a couple years, I never felt "connected" in any way.
It's been years since I switched over to a Baptist church, but I did recently visit the cathedral and it felt so strange that not one person greeted the visitors. Maybe the church members and staff tend to make less effort greeting visitors because it's in such a touristy area of town. I could be wrong on that. But as a child I attended a local catholic church and they tended to greet people attending the church.
Its funny in the Catholic faith that we seem to have MANY men who are called to the priesthood that do NOT have the gift of public speaking. Unlike most protestant churches we do not go to church for "The Sermons" as a main event. The celebration of the Eucharist (We believe this to be the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus Christ) is OUR main event. Sermons are usually 10 minutes at most compared to other denominations that might take 40+ minutes for their preaching.
I love Bishop Barron and his teaching helped me come back to the Catholic Church after years of Atheism. It was hard to believe the faith and still is but I wanted to know that love is real and only the Catholic Church could make me know that it is real.
That is an excellent point that plenty of people who feel the call to be pastors don’t always feel the call to public speaking.
Glad you’ve found your spiritual home, friend.
Just be patient and open minded, my brother. Eventually, every thing will find a place...☦❤🙋♀️
Praying The Hail Mary, ideally, isnt mindless. It is rhythmic and meditative, and it’s meant to focus your mind on the content of the words, not to empty the mind. It requires a certain level of mindfulness, because there is a pattern to keep to (hence the beads for keeping track).
Great video, you’re very respectful and funny.
The priest sounded highly discouraged in his vocation 😕
I’m not Roman Catholic. But I used to attend a Catholic school and also be a Catholic school teacher. I appreciate you don’t dump on them for the Rosary (or anything else.) Protestants and atheists both find that easy to do oftentimes.
lol it's so annoying
Good video! A presbyterian or lutheran church audit would be interesting.
I hit up an awesome Lutheran church three weeks ago!
I went to a Mormon Church for a funeral ten yrs ago and inside that church was plain painted walls and the only thing on any wall was a CLOCK. One clock.
I grew up in a church like this but not LDS. I’m Orthodox now & still feast on color & the images of faithfulness.
Keep testing, as a believer I strongly believe we are always called, part of this call is to test what's been brought before you. You don't need blind faith!
Christian here. Eastern Orthodox (haven't been practicing in a while tho). I hope you don't attach yourself too much to labels. I mean things like "atheist" or "non-believer". I've never called myself either of these things but I've lived much of my life as though I were one. God doesn't care about labels. God isn't an old man in the sky (that's Zeus iconography). You may be an atheist but you have greater humility and kindness than I do and I have a lot to learn still. I appreciate your integrity and honesty, but I appreciate your humility most of all. It's really beautiful and I aspire to be as virtuous as a humble atheist myself. I hope you keep trying to go to Catholic or Orthodox services, the beauty really does draw you in to the transcendental and out of this world.
Humility is a kind of beauty too. It's not a beauty you can see with your eyes, but you can definitely feel it and it draws you up to the transcendent in the same way. I do believe that it's better to be a humble atheist than a prideful believer. We modern Christians (especially in America) have really twisted what it means to "believe" from swearing your allegiance to the transcendent but humble to accepting some propositions about history. It makes for a very shallow and empty feeling faith. I understand what it's like to be that religious fanatic 15 year old. It's not a good way to live. I'm sorry that you have to go through that.
I just wanted you to know that I've learned from your videos and I really appreciate you making these. You might not have realized it, but it is actually possible to be "Christian" without knowing, just as it's possible to be un-Christian without knowing. What you do really does matter more than what you profess.
Exactly. And Fr. Hopko taught, “Sometimes not believing is an act of faith” because someone is rejecting falsehood, a false Christ.
That was such a heartfelt confession at the end of the video... Of you looking at the icon of Saint Augustine and being touched by it. You made me tear up. I pray that the Lord answers your prayers, whether you vocalize your search to God or it happens subconsciously, in these small encounters... like the one you had when standing in front of the icon.
"Lord I believe, help my unbelief!" (Mark 9:24)
Most of us should pray, “Help my belief!” probably.
You’re doing good work man! The smartest people will always tend to feel that inexplicable attraction to the Catholic church, even the non believers. It is the faith that satisfies both the intellectual hunger as well as the longing for the divine. When your heart finally softens enough, you’ll be ready to come home.
Catholic churches are very hit and miss for pastor sermons. But the catholic church is not really sermon oriented. The orthodox and catholics view the eucharist as the most important part of the service and dont put as much emphasis on the sermon as protestants who dont view the Eucharist as the center of the religious service.
I heard what you were saying about the sculpture of Saint Augustine, what you were experiencing was communion with the Saints. We believe that, even when they’re dead, they still are alive and in communion with God and in communion with us here on Earth. Sometimes God calls us through his saints. I would invite you to meditate on the life of Saint Augustine. I do believe he is praying for you.
PS. There is also a good movie of his life. I think they have it at Amazon.
Bruh... ex pentecostal, the fart at the end of the tongues clip made me laugh... I feel convicted lol.
Hello!! I’m from Florida as well!! Pensacola and St Augustine have had the longest back and forth about who’s older. Pensacola was the first settlement. It is the oldest town. St Augustine, is the oldest town to be continuously lived in. People have always lived in St.Augustine, Pensacola was first, but hasn’t been continuously inhabited. It was founded before!! Just a fun fact lol
Hi Jared, Good afternoon. Listening to this video was very helpful. I am a practicing Catholic, and I am curious to know if you have looked into the history and background of who Saint Augustine of Hippo was? Did you know that his mother is also a saint.
Santa monica.❤
7:38 spot on! Only the better comparison is Buddhist prayer ropes. In fact the Desert Monks of Egypt probably started Christian prayer beads the Buddhist tradition come up on the silk rd
I really love these church audits. Gives me a better sense of the humanity of religion as a whole - giving a perspective outside of my previous baptism and traditional swedish protestanism.
I absolutely love how beutiful the church can be, though i will admit I'm a bit cynical concidering the history of how church has been run.
As you said, people has poured their heart into this hopefully in a good way.
.
Edit: That last bit hit me hard. We might have left "God" but the teaching of "God" didnt leave us.
you should read the book of your fellow Swede conversion story to Catholicism . He was a staunch anti Catholic Megachurch Pastor ,largest non denominational church in Sweden then,dont know now . He mentored several Evangelical Pastors .When he announced to his congregation that he and his wife were converting to Catholicism ,they were stunned ,as they knew who he was . His name is Ulf Ekman .He travelled to many parts of the world preaching the Gospel ,prior to his conversion .If Im not mistaken ,he built thousands of churches globally ,prior to his conversion ..... Just remember ,the Catholic Church is the hospital for Saints and Sinners .
I get it man. I was raised Mormon (Lord have mercy) and when I left that silly cult I was pretty bitter and cynical. Well, I'm still cynical but I found truth in The Catholic Church.
The church has have millennia of scandals. That used to worry me. Then I realized it was having scandals even in Jesus's days. Thomas doubting, the confusion with the Judaizers, Judas outright betraying Christ. Scandals dont effect the ultimate truth of Christ. Obviously I want the causes of scandals investigated and if found guilty of heresies or secular crimes reprimanded as any other criminal would and should be, but the scandals are not related to or having any effect on the truth and holiness of the Church.
Forgive me for this a thought, and I dont mean as an insult, I had a similar experience as yours by bouncing church to church. Im starting to think that you're probably not an Atheist, I think you just fed up with the Dumb radical/fundamentalist crap that has been hurting every church for a while.I think you desire Sacredness, a church with beauty, a church you want to feel at home and everyone singing heavenly choir and everything that doesn't feel like a business. I felt this way. I came from a Baptist/Calvinist background. The Preachers/Pastors weren't crazy but they did their best, I asked them questions about like, "How come we dont do old hymns anymore?" "Why the screaming and shouting?" They just responded that Im,"an old man trapped in a young mans body." For a while, I was frustrated at the Church. When I moved to Texas, I was bouncing denomination to denomination, even reading theology, then I heard a whisper that said, "Do it!" Somehow, I drove to the nearest Orthodox Church and been going there since. Feel free to disagree, and this is not one of those "Haha, I finally figured you out" kind of things (but it kind of is, please dont hate for this). I just tell you, as a brother in Christ, you will find Christ again. You just need the right Church and the right people who aren't afraid to share their views. Thank you
And to answer your question In your I am an Atheist Video
Will God use an Atheist for his plans?
Of course he will!! God uses everyone!! We all fall short under the Glory of God!! You are still a child of God. And since you visited Saint Agustines church, Read Agustine's Confessions, he got really deep and philosophical, I would give it a read!!
I would definitely read Confessions by St Augustine! Its an absolutely brilliant autobiography and he in a lot of ways is a great Saint for these times. He grew up a pagan, lived a very hedonistic life (like many of us do today), but came out the other side a great saint. Will be praying for you!
Hi Jarod. Very good video here. I had an idea about your interesting with the busy of St Augustine. He wrote a book entitled 'Confessions.' It's about his struggle with God, and religion in general. It's a good read, and I think it may be pertinent to your personal religious experience. I suggest you read it.
I pray your journey of faith brings you to the truth.
You will be in my prayers! May God guide you! Much love!
(I know this was said already)The reason the Rosary is repetitive is so we can meditate on the life of Christ. I know you said mindlessly, but optimally, it is done mindFULLY. God bless!
Hagia Sofia, one of the most beautiful churches in the world, was converted into a mosque
I know you've probably heard people telling you to look into all sorts of miracles, but I think you might find the Tilma of Our Lady of Guadalupe fascinating, while you're looking at Catholicism in what was once New Spain. How the cloth lasted hundreds of years longer than it should have, how scientists can find no trace of paint or any indication on how the image was made, how Our Lady's eyes in the image refract light in a way that should be impossible, how Aztec pagan priests recognized the coded symbolism and converted en masse after seeing the image. It's a beautiful piece of history. I'll be praying for you!
Love your content.
Cradle Catholic here - Thanks for your insight - and yes you are spot on about the 'blah' sermon - unfortunately that is not exactly uncommon in certain parishes.
Fortunately, we go not to the mass for the sermon but rather for the Eucharist and it's efficacy is NOT dependent on ANY virtue of the priest or his sermon!
Yes, the rosary IS a powerful meditation that both helps draw one closer to Christ whilst simultaneously offers brief respite from the nagging carnality of our condition.
And yes, it was our believing grandfathers and ancestors who lovingly crafted these churches like this with their own hands - their very souls alive in Christ and their work, touching yours! ;)
FYI, You are far too perceptive to remain 'an atheist' forever away - we will be cheering you on, on your return, wheneverst you are ready to 'come back home' !! ;)
Something to consider is that Catholics don't go to mass for the homily. In fact, it's entirely optional within the service and often skipped or ~1 minute during daily mass. We go to worship the truine Godhead and that (should at least) be the primary focus of any mass.
That said, the American Catholic Church has pretty terrible homilies especially among the older generation of priests. I've found most priests under 30 are pretty awesome speakers, typically this is because they preach in the style and content of the fathers of the church. The older priests attempt an Amercian psuedo-protestant style and often fail miserably at their homilies because our Catholic beliefs don't work or function well within that frame.
Enjoyed the video! Would love to see you try a traditional latin mass or an eastern divine liturgy. The focus there should be more clear and Catholic: Mass isn't about us.
Former Catholic here! I definitely get this experience. I've rarely heard a good homily, though most have some enthusiasm at least. If anything, the weirdest part of Catholicism I experienced, and idk how common this is for Protestant churches, despite being raised Protestant, is how difficult it can be to find someone to talk to about the faith. Like, I would email priests and not hear back, having to speak with a Deacon or layperson who was a group leader to find out anything and not the trained professionals who went to seminary for this stuff. Maybe that was just an anomaly with the two Catholic churches near me, but I suspect the disconnect between lay people and clergy may not be terribly uncommon.
About the buildings: In Maastricht in the Netherlands they converted an old catholic church to a beautiful book store, keeping as much of the building in tact as possible. Another church turned into a hotel with the same respect for the beauty.
I'll tell you what *this* is. This meant a lot to me, thank you.
One important point to consider about the role of art and "razzle-dazzle" is the dual nature of existence in the Christian faith. According to Christianity, Jesus was both fully God and fully human. Similarly, humans are composed of both body and soul, and creation encompasses both the physical and the metaphysical. This duality is often overlooked; the human, bodily, and physical aspects of existence are frequently relegated to secondary importance compared to the divine, spiritual, and metaphysical. Both sides are important.
That is to say, we are not purely spiritual beings-we have bodies, and we experience the world through our senses. The Catholic liturgy reflects this understanding by engaging both body and soul in worship. The liturgy’s use of motion (such as kneeling, standing, processions, and making the sign of the cross) and materials (like holy water, incense, various holy oils, and the colours of the Eucharist) ensures that our bodies are actively involved in worship. This complements the engagement of our minds and souls when we read the Gospel or contemplate God.
The same principle applies to visual arts and music; they stir our entire being by appealing to our bodily senses of sight and hearing, and through them, inspire our minds and spirits. In this way, I see "razzle-dazzle" not as mere superficiality but as a means of speaking to our spirit through our body and our humanity. It is an integrated way of honoring the fullness of who we are-both physical and spiritual-by using the beauty and sensory experiences of the material world to draw us closer to the divine.
I really appreciate these videos, you're very sincere and I appreciate your opinion. Regarding your thoughts on the churches of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints--I think it'd be interesting to see you take a tour of an open house for one of the Church's Temples. They are absolutely beautiful on the inside and the out, and like you said in your video on visiting the fast and testimony meeting a few months ago, they kind of offset the rather plain buildings. I'm curious to see if you'd have a similar reaction to seeing the temple as you visiting one of these beautiful Catholic churches. It might be good to make a friend with a Latter-Day Saint that may be able to help explain some of the very symbolic meaning in the temple. Anyways, just something that I think would be interesting to see. Thanks again for these videos Jared!
Endlessly appreciate your kind words, man.
I’m actually still in touch with the missionaries who initially invited me to the church as their investigator a couple months back. They were super gracious with their review of my review.
You’re totally right! I would absolutely love to visit one of the temples. Honestly, I’m sure it’s just a matter of time before I wind up in Utah visiting some major sites out there.
Thanks for being here!
Being a Catholic, I think this is one of the Church's challenges. We sometimes (if not always) choose a priest we want to attend the Holy Mass with due to how good they provide sermons/homilies. I believe that this may cause division as well. Other people in our country get attracted to convert to Protestantism since they are more focused on the scriptures and it makes them understand the scripture way better rather than some Catholic sermons. It reminds me quite of the first chapter in Paul's letter to the Corinthians where people have been following church leaders and therefore the church seems to be divided because of it.
Even some priests have quite the "below the belt" and snarky jokes in their homilies/sermons which makes us really want to find a more decent priest.
Lived in St. Augustine. Remember Mass there. Good times. Found the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints there and converted like five years later.
“I spent a lot of my years wrestling with god. And even though I don’t believe anymore I still walk with a limp from all of that wrestling. And I want to make that all of those years of striving weren’t for nothing” damn, you killed me with that. I’ve never been able to put those feelings into words.
Hahahaha one of the things Pope Francis tried to address in his early days when he first became Pope was educating priests/seminarians in how to give a compelling homily or sermon (homilies reference the readings of that week, sermons can be about anything religious). Not sure how well that effort is going but he definitely recognized the need.
What you said at the end about just... sitting with the iconography is part of the point. Catholics don't literally worship the iconography (as some non-Catholics incorrectly believe) - it is a meditative aid meant to inspire you. Like a writing prompt in a creative writing class: the iconography is a "prayer prompt" to give you a nudge on whatever religious topic you want to think about.
You should ABSOLUTELY do an hour of eucharistic adoration: try in a church and also in a small room or chapel. After that, you should make it a point to go to a Buddhist temple and do an hour of meditation. I imagine they are oddly similar. You could even do two videos and then do a third compare/contrast video on them. The nice thing about these spaces is that they're intentionally free of distractions. They're so quiet and removed from the outside world - they really do provide a great place to meditate (and/or pray if you're religious).
I believe Matt Whittman of the Ten Minute Bible Hour did a tour of this church building on his channel, too
I'm pretty sure that the speaking in tongues miracle in the bible meant that no matter what language they were using, people could understand the speaker. That's the opposite of what we get in churches nowadays.
Hey! I know this video is from five months ago, and there is little to no possibility that you will see this comment, but..
I wanted to say that I'm really sorry you didn't have the best experience with this particular church, and I really hope it didn't tint your view of catholicism too much. And I'm saying this as an ex catholic :) I love this branch of Christianity, the glorious and sometimes over the top churches and rituals, the holiday draditions, the songs and the organ music( the music in general, but the organs are usually the best), i love it's deep (and sometimes disturbing) history and the fact that it's "reserved" and doesn't seem to try and shove something down your throat. I do love a lot about it. It's a shame we can't choose our beliefs.
Maybe if you'll have an extra minute, try visiting the Christmas mass again ( perhaps even for Christmas, the selebration is also usually held at night and it's waay cooler than Easter) and if you're ever in Belarus, Minsk pay a visit to the Cathedral of the Holy Name of Saint Virgin Mary, it's pretty nice :)