Confused.. Should i still be Friends with This Person?

[distracted]

I have been witnessing to this friend (he’s about 60 yrs old) for several years about the Catholic faith. He & i used to be pretty close, do a lot of things together, etc… Now that i am strong in my Catholic faith, things are “cooler”. He has no good arguments against most of what i say… He seemed interested in joining the Church once or twice, but then seemed to just lose interest and i don’t know why. The other dya when i was talking to him, i got this negative feeling even though he didn’t say anything “off the wall”… Truth be told, i felt the presence of evil. :hypno: & it was hard to shake! uch: I don’t think i wnat to be friends w/ him because he seems to be anti-Catholic (but too cowardly to say so). Even so, i wonder if i am being rash in wanting to cut off the “relationship”. I keep thinking he could change, but he probably never wil…
He also seems to be playing games with me (says he will email me, then doesn’t, etc.). I feel i should go my way and he go his.
But maybe i am too emotionally involved?? Impatient?? This thing has been going on for a couple years now (negativity… not following through on what he says, etc.).
Thanks.

 

[1ke]

Friendships are typically based on mutual interests. It seems as though you don’t have any. Perhaps it is time to let this one go.

I sense that you have some type of feeling of responsibilty for him-- regarding whether he becomes Catholic or not. Remember, that responsbility lies not with you but with him, through the Holy Spirit. God gives us grace, it is up to us to respond. You have planted seeds and been a resource for him. You cannot force or convince him, nor should you feel any guilt or responsibility since he has chosen not to respond.

 

[distracted]

Friendships are typically based on mutual interests. It seems as though you don’t have any. Perhaps it is time to let this one go.

I sense that you have some type of feeling of responsibilty for him-- regarding whether he becomes Catholic or not.

thank you. I thought the same things but was emotionally involved so wasn’t sure if i was seeing things objectively or whatever. The only problem is, he still seems to want some kind of “friendship”. Or so it seems. Sometimes he (as stated) seems to be playing games w/ me - I think he is angry at me (for being so strongly Catholic) & doesn’t want to start an actual argument, so he shows his anger by not responding to emails, etc. I feel he is emotioanlly abusing me, but then here & there, he will do something like invite me over. I haven’t been to his place in a long time, for a lot of related & unrelated reasons… (distance is one). Anyway, I don’t feel so much responsible for his becoming Catholic as for just being some kind of friend (?), since we have been “friends” for about 10 yrs… We were much better friends before i got “fanatical” about the Church… (he probably thinks i am fanatical, that is).

I have to go, but if you have any further comments, i would appreciate them - because for one thing, i may have to have contact w/ him soon since he seems 2b the only one who can help me with this one project i have (long story)… It seems like a worthy project, but maybe i should just forget about it???

God bless…

 

[1ke]

Having been “friends” for a long time is NOT a reason to keep being friends.

I’d let it drop, don’t contact him and don’t respond to him. Find another way to do your project.

 

[distracted]

Having been “friends” for a long time is NOT a reason to keep being friends.

I’d let it drop, don’t contact him and don’t respond to him. Find another way to do your project.

Why exactly do you feel i should do this? I mean, Jesus never abandons people… so should I??

 

[po18guy]

Why exactly do you feel i should do this? I mean, Jesus never abandons people… so should I??

You can help erase anti-Catholic thoughts by simply living your faith. He will see the goodness. He knows your faith. Be cordial, but go into prayer on his behalf. The evil you felt is probably the evil one, influencing him to resist the truth. Pray pray pray. Spend time in Adoration for him. Then, be patient and watch. You will see a change, because the Holy Spirit defeats every evil spirit.

Christ’s peace.

 

[distracted]

You can help erase anti-Catholic thoughts by simply living your faith. He will see the goodness. He knows your faith. Be cordial, but go into prayer on his behalf. The evil you felt is probably the evil one, influencing him to resist the truth. Pray pray pray. Spend time in Adoration for him. Then, be patient and watch. You will see a change, because the Holy Spirit defeats every evil spirit.

Christ’s peace.

Thank you so much for this… Why i didn’t think of it before now is beyond me… Maybe, subconsciously, i was angry w/ him &, well, it is diffuclt to pray for one when I am angry or unhappy…

God bless…

 

[distracted]

Having been “friends” for a long time is NOT a reason to keep being friends.

I’d let it drop, don’t contact him and don’t respond to him. Find another way to do your project.

i think this is sound advice… He’s played one game too many… I will just pray for him and leave it at that…

Thank you.

 

[distracted]

Friendships are typically based on mutual interests. It seems as though you don’t have any. Perhaps it is time to let this one go.

Thank you. I had that same thought but wasn’t sure if i should act on it or what…

I sense that you have some type of feeling of responsibilty for him-- regarding whether he becomes Catholic or not. Remember, that responsbility lies not with you but with him, through the Holy Spirit. God gives us grace, it is up to us to respond. You have planted seeds and been a resource for him. You cannot force or convince him, nor should you feel any guilt or responsibility since he has chosen not to respond.

I didn’t really feel i had a “responsibility” toward him, but maybe, deep down, i did… As stated in another post, i feel i should let him go & just pray for him. Only problem is, that may be difficult because i am not too happy w;/ the guy & when i am not happy w/ someone, i just wnat to forget about him/her… Yes, i know that is not Christian… I will fight it. God bless…