Did I Sin?

[lakotak]

I don’t know if I actually sinned. Should I have said something.

Today, our Human Resources Manager came in to chat with us in my office area. She is Jewish.She was very frustrated about work, like all of us are at this time and she made a point of saying “Jesus Christ” in frustration concerning a certain issue. I was taken aback by her words, she normally does not say things of this nature. My concern is I didn’t say anything, did I sin in anyway by not saying something, should I have said something or should I have just kept quiet. We have a lot of stress in the office at this time and language is kinda flying around. What is your opinion did I sin in anyway and should I have said something, if so what. Any help with this would be appreciated. I do feel that I am being convicted for not doing something. What would some of you have done?

 

[FightingFat]

I don’t know if I actually sinned. Should I have said something.

Today, our Human Resources Manager came in to chat with us in my office area. She is Jewish.She was very frustrated about work, like all of us are at this time and she made a point of saying “Jesus Christ” in frustration concerning a certain issue. I was taken aback by her words, she normally does not say things of this nature. My concern is I didn’t say anything, did I sin in anyway by not saying something, should I have said something or should I have just kept quiet. We have a lot of stress in the office at this time and language is kinda flying around. What is your opinion did I sin in anyway and should I have said something, if so what. Any help with this would be appreciated. I do feel that I am being convicted for not doing something. What would some of you have done?

I don’t think so, but we have confession so you don’t have to worry. Don’t ask us—go to confession and receive the grace of the sacrament for caring and being such a wonderful person!

 

[nurselisa99]

I think perhaps if you had said something she would have thought you were being “holier than thou” and left with a negative opinion of Christianity. You don’t want Jesus blasphemed, but she didn’t mean it that way, it doesn’t sound like. Now if she were a card carrying Christian who should know better or she was doing it to poke fun at you or because she really hates JC, you might be more concerned. The only thing I would have said was “I am sorry you are so frustrated. Can I help you with something?” So, not being an expert, it doesn’t seem to me that you sinned by not saying something.

 

[InternetWoman]

I might have said something like “Ouch! I happen to love Jesus!” But then kept going with something similar to what has already been suggested “I can see you are really stressed, how can I help? etc.”

However, I don’t think keeping quiet was a sin. It’s a natural reaction not to want to get confrontational. We just have to practice ways to witness that are not seen as being confrontational.

 

[lakotak]

I might have said something like “Ouch! I happen to love Jesus!” But then kept going with something similar to what has already been suggested “I can see you are really stressed, how can I help? etc.”

However, I don’t think keeping quiet was a sin. It’s a natural reaction not to want to get confrontational. We just have to practice ways to witness that are not seen as being confrontational.

Hi

Thanks for replying, you listed the word I couldn’t think of when I first made the post, confrontational. The lady is very nice, and has helped me a lot through situations at work. She didn’t mean it in a direct, disrespectful manner. However, I just felt that the Holy Spirit was letting me know that I should have done something, I just didn’t feel right about it. I guess I just feel like I kinda denied Jesus by keeping quite and not saying something. I don’t know how else to relate it. I guess I feel disappointed in myself. I don’t know if this is really something from God or not. A little confused about it right now.

 

[InternetWoman]

I have found the God sometimes lets me fail in a small way so that later on I’ll succeed in a bigger way. I would not obsess over this “lapse” - but I would let its lesson strengthen you so that you’ll be better prepared if it happens again. Think about what you could have said and, perhaps come up with a few potential responses so that you’ll be ready! If you still feel bad then bring it up at your next confession as a way of telling Jesus you are sorry. Then the grace of confession will help you the next time!

 

[lakotak]

I have found the God sometimes lets me fail in a small way so that later on I’ll succeed in a bigger way. I would not obsess over this “lapse” - but I would let its lesson strengthen you so that you’ll be better prepared if it happens again. Think about what you could have said and, perhaps come up with a few potential responses so that you’ll be ready! If you still feel bad then bring it up at your next confession as a way of telling Jesus you are sorry. Then the grace of confession will help you the next time!

Thanks, this is helpful. Something to think about.

 

[joandarc2008]

I find that when I am around people of different religions I usually just respond with a “I’m suprised you ask Him for help too?” It usually starts a very enlightened coversation on what their relgion believes about Christ. It teaches a lot too on both sides.

 

[Tradycja]

I don’t know if I actually sinned. Should I have said something.

Today, our Human Resources Manager came in to chat with us in my office area. She is Jewish.She was very frustrated about work, like all of us are at this time and she made a point of saying “Jesus Christ” in frustration concerning a certain issue. I was taken aback by her words, she normally does not say things of this nature. My concern is I didn’t say anything, did I sin in anyway by not saying something, should I have said something or should I have just kept quiet. We have a lot of stress in the office at this time and language is kinda flying around. What is your opinion did I sin in anyway and should I have said something, if so what. Any help with this would be appreciated. I do feel that I am being convicted for not doing something. What would some of you have done?

Honestly, with the way that the secular work world is today, I don’t think you are at fault. I mean at my work I have actually been harrased by homosexuals who try to find out what I think about homosexuality all the time. They want to do this because they want to get me fired. Just remember that we are living in times that are akin to the Soviet Union. People may say I am paranoid but that is the way it is. In school I know of a classmate that dared to contradict a feminist professor and she labeled him and gave him bad grades and now there is nothing he can do to change it.

 

[Ignatius]

I don’t know if I actually sinned. Should I have said something.

Today, our Human Resources Manager came in to chat with us in my office area. She is Jewish.She was very frustrated about work, like all of us are at this time and she made a point of saying “Jesus Christ” in frustration concerning a certain issue. I was taken aback by her words, she normally does not say things of this nature. My concern is I didn’t say anything, did I sin in anyway by not saying something, should I have said something or should I have just kept quiet. We have a lot of stress in the office at this time and language is kinda flying around. What is your opinion did I sin in anyway?

No.

 

[justamoose89]

Normally if someone says “Jesus” in a vulgar or frustrated manner, I normally respond with, “love that guy!”. It helps to lighten the mood a bit while still making your beliefs known.