Catholic daughter baptist mother!

[maryelizabeth1]

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

I need advice…

My mother grew up in the Baptist church so she was a little reluctant yet supportive when I converted to the Catholic church. She attends mass with me every week, and is beginning to understand, and except the Catholic faith.

My question is I try to explain to her that as Catholics we believe that the Eucharist is the body of Jesus and the precious blood is the blood of Jesus not a symbol.
Our priest continues to talk about it in his homily reminding us that it is not a symbol.

She thinks that I’m misinterpreting the concept, because that it is what she was taught.

Please give me advice as to how to explain this without hurting her feelings or starting a fight!

Thank you, and may God bless you in the new year!

 

[MGEISING]

maryelizabeth1;:

My question is I try to explain to her that as Catholics we believe that the Eucharist is the body of Jesus and the precious blood is the blood of Jesus not a symbol.

**
I often hear from my baptist inlaws … things that aren’t in scripture … Sola Scriptura; Guarantee of Salvation; Once Saved; Always Saved … nothing that is expressed specifially in scripture …

The Eucharist, clearly spoken from our Savior and Lord Jesus … John 6 … 31-71 … these words are spoken, not interpreted, not assumed, not questioned, from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

This is only one Scripture that affirms that the Eucharist is the true Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ …**

 

[teachccd]

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

I need advice…

My mother grew up in the Baptist church so she was a little reluctant yet supportive when I converted to the Catholic church. She attends mass with me every week, and is beginning to understand, and except the Catholic faith.

My question is I try to explain to her that as Catholics we believe that the Eucharist is the body of Jesus and the precious blood is the blood of Jesus not a symbol.
Our priest continues to talk about it in his homily reminding us that it is not a symbol.

She thinks that I’m misinterpreting the concept, because that it is what she was taught.

Please give me advice as to how to explain this without hurting her feelings or starting a fight!

Thank you, and may God bless you in the new year!

There are actually many ways to show how we, as Catholics believe in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. This takes time as her faith or anyone for that matter cannot be changed overnight. We only plant seeds and the Holy Spirit works in our hearts.

First, as the previous poster stated, there is scripture that alludes to this belief. This is probably the only even ground that you will have with a Baptist as they only believe what’s found in Scripture and how they interpret it. John chapter six is a good place to start. There are also the last supper discourses in the synoptic gospel accounts of Matthew ,Mark, and Luke. I would suggest going to a Catholic bookstore and find books that deal with Catholic apologetics. there are some good ones like Beginning Apologetics by San Juan Seminars. Karl Keating has books dealing with this topic.

There are also the writings of the early Church Fathers that show how the early Church believed in the Real Presence. William Jurgens puts out a three volume series on the Early Church Fathers. Most people, including catholics, don’t even know about these writings. They are the best kept secret much to our advantage if we can show Protestants how “Catholic” the early Church was. So become familiar with these writings for a number of topics in our faith.

Then there are also books and films on Eucharistic Miracles. Although this will be the least persuading perhaps unless you somewhat already believe, they do leave you thinking.

It ultimitely comes down to faith. Did Jesus mean what He said when He took bread and said “This is my Body?” We say yes and many say no. This saying is hard to accept we heard some of Jesus’ followers in John six as they turned away and returned to their former way of living. Peter and the early Church stayed. Who should we follow?

 

[FrCorey]

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

I need advice…

My mother grew up in the Baptist church so she was a little reluctant yet supportive when I converted to the Catholic church. She attends mass with me every week, and is beginning to understand, and except the Catholic faith.

My question is I try to explain to her that as Catholics we believe that the Eucharist is the body of Jesus and the precious blood is the blood of Jesus not a symbol.
Our priest continues to talk about it in his homily reminding us that it is not a symbol.

She thinks that I’m misinterpreting the concept, because that it is what she was taught.

Please give me advice as to how to explain this without hurting her feelings or starting a fight!

Thank you, and may God bless you in the new year!

Oy Vey!

 

[imagine7777]

I would agree w/ the book suggestion. Find one that is an overview on Catholic beliefs and covers the Real Presence. That way you could just give it to her b/c she’s been coming to Mass w/ you and you thought she might like to learn more about the Church, etc. I can’t see how she’d be offended by that and it’s not like you’re pushing anything on her, just supporting her interest.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

I would agree w/ the book suggestion. Find one that is an overview on Catholic beliefs and covers the Real Presence. That way you could just give it to her b/c she’s been coming to Mass w/ you and you thought she might like to learn more about the Church, etc. I can’t see how she’d be offended by that and it’s not like you’re pushing anything on her, just supporting her interest.

If she is a reader. I would suggest giving her a copy of The Holy Eucharist by St. Alphonsus Liguori.

 

[water]

She attends mass with me every week, and is beginning to understand, and except the Catholic faith.

I’d like to add to the other posters’ replies - it is a blessing that your mother attends mass with you every week. Keep it that way as you gradually introduce her to your Catholic faith. Also, when you go for adoration, ask her if she’d like to come with you.

 

[Damascus]

Apologetic arguments will only go so far. You have as other posters said already, done the “hard work” getting her to attend Mass!

This can not be underscored. Once one attends the Mass, over time they will have many more questions (even if they are not asking you directly- in their minds)!!

You are on the right track. Be patient. Let the Holy Spirit take over now.

Yes, reading terrific books can help, and can open many more doors.

But- only if the person WANTS to let the Holy Spirit in, will anything happen.

My 2 cents? Show her what it means to you personally at each Mass. Do you get to Mass early enough for your Mother to see you pray beforehand?
(just a thought- not telling you what to do)
Possibly stay to devote a minute or two in front of Mary in silent prayer- without pressure for her to join you but to see you do it is key-
Possibly to make sure that you introduce her (if you have not already)!
to the Priest.
Talk to her about what you love the most about your faith. Whatever it is.
Ask her about the readings and the meaning she got out of the homily.
Remind her that you Love her, no matter what she believes.

I will pray for you both. I understand, and you are leaps and bounds ahead of me in this.

Our Mothers need our love.

Godspeed to you, and your Mother too.

 

[mystified]

You are blessed: You found the true Church. Your mother is open enough to accept this and even to attend Mass. Your pastor is not shy about preaching the faith as it has been taught for 2,000 years.
When he’s done there, can we have him for a while? The local parish priest uses the word “symbol” or “sign” routinely, and often appears to disbelieve in the Real Presence.

 

[catt02]

In addition to literature on the Real Presence and prayer for her, I would also offer “mortification” to Jesus on the cross. Basically, it is giving all your little sufferings of each day (i.e. waiting in traffic, doing your daily work, etc.) to Jesus on the cross. Just put a specific intention with it, and unite yourself to Him on the cross, saying “All for you Jesus”. I remember my mom saying to me: “offer it up…” It truly is a way of praying all day.
Also, I would ask your mom to ask the Holy Spirit for understanding; you can ask for faith. Good luck and I will pray for you both!!!

 

[jc-servant]

amazon.com/Eucharistic-Miracles-Joan-Carroll-Cruz/dp/0895553031/sr=1-1/qid=1167866293/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/105-5404421-4533247?ie=UTF8&s=books

The link is to a very cool book about Eucharistic miracles. There are verified stories such as one when a priest was having doubts about the Real Presence and the host turned to bloody flesh on him. It may be a bit much for your mother to read at this point, but it might help you later on to show that Jesus was serious about it being His Body and occasionally He shows doubters in a dramatic way.

There are some photos of places that you could actually go to today to see a host that visibly became flesh and has never deteriorated in many centuries.

 

[MGEISING]

You have been given wonderful advice here…I have to say that I almost fell over when I read that your mother attends Mass with you, what a MIRACLE!

This may not be an easy road, if your mother were to accept the Real Presence, she would be, in essence, accepting Catholicism…this is a pretty big leap.

In my opinion, just explain it to her gently. I beleive the Holy Spirit is already working on her every Sunday (and HOLY DAYS), and will do much more good to her than any of us ever will!

Hang in there.

During Mass, my husband of 22 years attends with my children and I — he is Baptist …but hasn’t gone to a
Baptist Service in forever … and when he did - it was with us … and we always did Mass also …

But what I do … is during Mass, and most especially after I receive the Eucharist … I pray — Come Holy Spirit; Come Lord Jesus; Come our Blessed Mother … and give him the Truth and let him accept it … IF IT IS YOUR WILL.

I have been doing that for years … and my husband is now educating himself with our Faith (Scott Hahn Audio’s; Attending his Conferences and Fr. Larry Richards - who is my favorite, watching the Journey Home - Marcus is awesome) … Yes he is at Mass … which is the most beneficial for him … but Mass (a sacrement) doesn’t mean much intellectually to a ‘Baptist’ … but spiritually …talk about putting on the Armour of God …

Please keep my husband - Greg - in prayer as well … I pray that one day we will receive Jesus, our Lord and Savior, as a family …

God’s Blessings!

 

[Trident59]

Marcus Grodi from EWTN has a tape of his talk, where his gives all sorts of Scripture references to the Eucharist. I watched this tape several times.

I would contact EWTN religious catalog and ask for the tape. It is excellent.