Dealing with wordly friends

[ACanthony]

Hello all! I’m a 28 year old man. I started pursuing my faith around 4 or so years ago. I still remain in friendship with the friends I had before my conversion. They are all nice fellows, just VERY worldly. Not that I “look down” upon them, since I believe faith in God is truly a gift, but I feel they are just so worldly. Their activities are mostly drinking and partying and just place an overall emphasis on materialism. I do feel inclined to still be friends with all of them, and honestly I do not look down upon them and I do try and be a good influence. Afterall, I believe God wants me to interact with these people to evangelize and to truly love them with all my heart. Two questions. One. How do people balance dealing with worldly friends and also staying true to your faith? It can be difficult because I know they don’t understand the way I live. Two. I was recently at a wedding. There are about 4 of my friends that live with their girlfriends and I know for a fact they do not believe pre marital sex is wrong. During Communion, now I know I was focused on receiving the Lord, but I honestly could not help notice that all of the individuals I speak of went and received the Lord. I know for a fact they didn’t receive Confession. I know this is between them and God (do not think I am judging them) but would you have been offended at this? Just wanted to hear your thoughts. God bless.

 

[kozlosap]

You are right that it is between them and God. I think you answered your own question! BTW, do they try to pressure you to live their lifestyle? If your friends feel that they are living in a manner which represents their we’ll formed consciences, then it is best just to live and let live.

 

[Delaine75]

Just continue to pray for these friends. Those who go up and receive Communion when they are in a state of mortal sin … well, I guess that’s between them and God, you know? We can’t force them to go to confession and we can’t trip them on their way up to receive Communion. I have witnessed this with my friends as well. One lives with his girlfriend, has not been to confession in years and every Saturday, he’s up there receiving Communion with everyone else. Perhaps they don’t even realize how wrong it is to do that (the one I’m referring to is a cradle Catholic and thinks all he needs to do is show up for Mass and he’s good to go). As for being offended that they are doing it, well, I personally wouldn’t be. I’d be more disappointed and sad for them than anything else.

Just pray for them and pray that God puts it in their hearts to start doing the right thing.

 

[ACanthony]

Thanks for the suggestions! Yeah, it wasn’t like I was condemning them for receiving Communion. It wasn’t like I wanted them to stop going. I guess I just felt sad for them. I know I was receiving the Lord and it was actually Jesus. And I felt sad for them that they really didn’t know how awesome of a gift it is. They really didn’t see the importance of it at all. I mean how could they be in a state of mortal sin? I do pray for them and I do wish they start to turn from their ways. I suppose it is getting to be tough for me, trying to balance on one hand keeping myself free from an impure activities but on the other hand, I feel they are in my life for a reason and I can easily reach out to them. And I do enjoy their company overall.

 

[Lady_Love]

You can make reparation for their indifference to the Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, aiding in their conversion.

If I know someone well enough, I will speak up and lovingly approach them in a conversation at a later time. I try not to embarrass people or be accusing.

Most people who receive while in sin is because they do not discern that Jesus is truly present. If I were going to speak of it at all. I would speak of His true presence and let the Holy Spirit do the rest.

 

[AlanFromWichita]

I think you have a really great outlook on this, and I think you have as good a plan as can be as far as how you deal with it … and I agree with the other posters.

One. How do people balance dealing with worldly friends and also staying true to your faith? It can be difficult because I know they don’t understand the way I live.

You know you are with sinners, and as long as they graciously welcome you among them and you choose to be there, you cannot judge them and it would be a Bad Idea to lecture them any time soon.

I had a manager that was an amazingly faithful man. He would never utter a vulgar word because of his morality, but when the employees used foul language he didn’t bat an eye. If it was funny he might even chuckle a bit. He was absolute about his own behavior, and non-judging of others. Once he did say, "hey Tim and Kevin, we have some customers in here today, so hold down the language or keep your office door closed.

He was the most respected manager, and two of us ended up having discussions with him about our faith, both during and after work hours.

I know this is between them and God (do not think I am judging them) but would you have been offended at this?

I’m not offended in the slightest when someone receives the Eucharist even when I know them to be ineligible. Like you and the other posters, I’d let it be between them and God.

Now they are going to know your beliefs, and they will know that you wouldn’t do what they are doing, but this way I think it’s a St. Paul approach – stay under the radar so you can infiltrate and evangelize. So you don’t have to hide anything. Your joy and peace and serenity will rub off on them, just as surely as they will be interesting and loyal companions for you.

Alan

 

[Lady_Love]

“Those who tell the Truth love you. Those who tell you what you want to hear love
themselves.”—Mother Angelica