Hello J
I was there once. Came back out of the corner much stronger than I went in.
I and most of my extended family am old-school Catholic, maybe I go to Mass with your MIL ;) I was raised such in a big household (oldest of 9). Dad was agnostic when married; mom got a special dispensation from the LA bishop! dispensation included a statement from Dad he would allow children to be raised Catholic. Dad converted about 15yrs later and is the strongest Catholic I know.
I personally went through a phase of doubt... I suspect everyone does, in different ways. Is any of it really true? why are there so many religions? Are they all man-made, like Scientology so obviously is? (what a practical joke, L Ron Hubbard has gotta be laughing so hard, wherever he is) After all, look at the control, power, money, wars(!) which come from organized religion. How can any of this make sense?
I went through a few years of going through the motions, essentially thinking, hey this isn't a
bad way to live my life, so I'll keep on keeping on.
I had to go back to basics; started studying philosophy. The Greeks had it all figured out, honestly. They were Christians before Christ came. Sts Augustine & Thomas built on it. Catholic philosophy/theology/morality is all there, it’s beautiful, it works, it integrates, there are no contradictions, there are causes & effects, actions have consequences, it is unique. There is nothing else like it. It is One, Holy, Catholic (universal), and (supposed to be) Apostolic.
You mention a doubt about a specific prophesy in the Bible. Man, relax, our Protestant friends get themselves all in a bind around certain words, it does them no good, they miss the forest for a leaf. Here is a simple explanation of the prophesy you mention. No idea if it is correct or not; if this is what Jesus meant. But it gives an idea how easy it is to get tangled up in a few words or a phrase.
https://www.gotquestions.org/this-generation-not-pass.htmlMany people have doubts due to actions of churchmen. We particularly detest hypocrites; and people in high palces who abuse/violate their trust are indeed committing a terrible crime. The answer though is simple: Do not place your trust in men! This is a primary lesson in the Bible! Adam sinned. He had ONE thing to do, and he couldn’t do it! St Peter denied Christ. The Jews crucified Him. Again, again, again these examples. Do not place trust in men! Separate the Message from the messenger! This is why I am ‘traditional’ Catholic and reject all the modern crap in the more recent Church: ecumenism, etc. These are fallible men (Pope on down), wanting to get along with other men, compromising Truth and their own job, so it’ll fit their human agenda.
Many people mention feelings. Are you trying to feel good or find the truth, take the red pill, save your soul? If the goal is feelies, Catholicism may not work. Again, do not put your trust in man (your own feelings). Feelings are not intellect, feelings can betray you. You own yourself. Feelings are an emotional response your intellect can use as input. Feelings do not own you.
I don’t know if this helps. Hope it does. Prayers regardless!