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AbideWithMe
Guest
From the perspective of Jewish religious leaders, St. Paul was just wrong, deceptive, leading others into deception, and working against God.
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ae22
Guest
I’m not afraid to share my faith. However, it must be done with tact.
To make a plant grow properly, seeds must be planted in fertile soil. The plant must be watered. Predators must be kept at bay. The garden must be weeded. And the plant won’t grow overnight. Only if everything is done exactly right will the plant ever bear any fruit.
Obviously, the same approach cannot be taken for everyone. Atheists/agnostics require something far different than Evangelicals, for instance. Some people just aren’t open to it. Atheists who spend their time bashing religion, for example, are very unlikely to be receptive to any sort of evangelism. It’ll more often than not turn into an argument (and, by extension, the near occasion of sin, as we tend to say uncharitable things when caught up in the heat of the moment).
If a person is honestly seeking truth, wherever their path may lead them, they will find it in the Catholic Church. It’s just a matter of getting them to understand that…and it often means that a lot of time must be spent correcting misconceptions. A LOT of time. “Catholics don’t read the Bible, Catholics worship Mary, etc”. It takes patience. And, yes, it takes proper catechism - but don’t be afraid! You don’t have to know EVERYTHING…you just have to know enough to correct their misconceptions. And, if you don’t know something, say “I don’t know, but I’ll find out”.
If you know the person, you’ll know what would interest them. Some people may be captivated by the beauty of the Tridentine Latin Mass, or perhaps an Eastern Rite Church. Or, perhaps they’re used to a church with things like guitars, and can be shown a Mass that will make them feel more at home.
Our faith is never meant to be something private, closely guarded, and kept to ourselves. We need to get to know the people not just outside of it, but within our parishes. Some people may be poorly catechised and thus prone to falling away at the first sign of trouble. Get to know these people. Encourage them to go to Bible Study groups at your parish, or even just to pray the rosary with you. Ask a fallen-away family member or friend to come to Mass with you. Some people are just waiting for someone to ask them, whether they know it or not.
Lastly, pray for our separated brethren and those who have fallen away. It’s too important. It’s easy to get caught up in our lives and our own faith and not really think about others (or, worse, to rashly judge them for being ‘heretics’ or ‘apostates’ and thus not worth your time), but bringing souls to Christ and into communion with His Church is pretty much the most important thing we can do while we are here on Earth.
Have a great night, and God Bless. Even if you think I’m lost and going to Hell because I’m Catholic, I still love you!
To make a plant grow properly, seeds must be planted in fertile soil. The plant must be watered. Predators must be kept at bay. The garden must be weeded. And the plant won’t grow overnight. Only if everything is done exactly right will the plant ever bear any fruit.
Obviously, the same approach cannot be taken for everyone. Atheists/agnostics require something far different than Evangelicals, for instance. Some people just aren’t open to it. Atheists who spend their time bashing religion, for example, are very unlikely to be receptive to any sort of evangelism. It’ll more often than not turn into an argument (and, by extension, the near occasion of sin, as we tend to say uncharitable things when caught up in the heat of the moment).
If a person is honestly seeking truth, wherever their path may lead them, they will find it in the Catholic Church. It’s just a matter of getting them to understand that…and it often means that a lot of time must be spent correcting misconceptions. A LOT of time. “Catholics don’t read the Bible, Catholics worship Mary, etc”. It takes patience. And, yes, it takes proper catechism - but don’t be afraid! You don’t have to know EVERYTHING…you just have to know enough to correct their misconceptions. And, if you don’t know something, say “I don’t know, but I’ll find out”.
If you know the person, you’ll know what would interest them. Some people may be captivated by the beauty of the Tridentine Latin Mass, or perhaps an Eastern Rite Church. Or, perhaps they’re used to a church with things like guitars, and can be shown a Mass that will make them feel more at home.
Our faith is never meant to be something private, closely guarded, and kept to ourselves. We need to get to know the people not just outside of it, but within our parishes. Some people may be poorly catechised and thus prone to falling away at the first sign of trouble. Get to know these people. Encourage them to go to Bible Study groups at your parish, or even just to pray the rosary with you. Ask a fallen-away family member or friend to come to Mass with you. Some people are just waiting for someone to ask them, whether they know it or not.
Lastly, pray for our separated brethren and those who have fallen away. It’s too important. It’s easy to get caught up in our lives and our own faith and not really think about others (or, worse, to rashly judge them for being ‘heretics’ or ‘apostates’ and thus not worth your time), but bringing souls to Christ and into communion with His Church is pretty much the most important thing we can do while we are here on Earth.
Have a great night, and God Bless. Even if you think I’m lost and going to Hell because I’m Catholic, I still love you!
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esieffe
Guest
They don’t just attack us, they attack everyone. Then if time permits, they go down to the wood shed for a rousing game of Russian Rattle!
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SyroMalankara
Guest
Anyone in the St. Louis area want to stop in and correct these errors that are being taught:
harveststlouis.org/podcast/2014/7/biblical-answers-to-catholic-questions-session-1
harveststlouis.org/podcast/2014/7/biblical-answers-to-catholic-questions-session-1
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KathleenGee
Guest
I was brought up Catholic old school…go to Mass, visit Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament, be obedient and polite and on the quiet side, don’t bring attention to yourself, be honest, do your best, and most of all serve those in need within your own capabilities.
You live by example by being and doing what you are supposed to do as a Catholic
One convert lady told me that she got to know Catholics after becoming one, and her observations were Catholics focused more on their own imperfections than others, and they spend alot of time trying to become better Christians.
You live by example by being and doing what you are supposed to do as a Catholic
One convert lady told me that she got to know Catholics after becoming one, and her observations were Catholics focused more on their own imperfections than others, and they spend alot of time trying to become better Christians.
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