Explaining the importance of being faithful

[PelagiathePenit]

My sister does not seem to like any of the Catholic traditions. She thinks it is ridiculous that missing mass is a sin. She attends mass weekly or biweekly anyways. She confesses weekly or biweekly. She cannot stand the whole saint calendar, praying the rosary, always having to pray about something and surrendering to God’s will. The sin of pride emerges. She still wants to be a good person. She finds it difficult to always give money to people well because she is not big-balling. A friend recently asked her for 300 dollars, she gave it to her because God says if someone asks you should give. She hates needing a spiritual director. She is often seems to hate her personality. How can I explain the importance of remaining faithful even when you are frustrated or tired of following the faith?

 

[MaryT777]

By example is the best way. Show your faithfulness. Tell her she’s not alone in her struggles that God is with her and knows and cares and be a support for her when needed.

JMO

Mary.

 

[oldgraymare2]

My sister does not seem to like any of the Catholic traditions. She thinks it is ridiculous that missing mass is a sin. She attends mass weekly or biweekly anyways. She confesses weekly or biweekly. She cannot stand the whole saint calendar, praying the rosary, always having to pray about something and surrendering to God’s will. The sin of pride emerges. She still wants to be a good person. She finds it difficult to always give money to people well because she is not big-balling. A friend recently asked her for 300 dollars, she gave it to her because God says if someone asks you should give. She hates needing a spiritual director. She is often seems to hate her personality. How can I explain the importance of remaining faithful even when you are frustrated or tired of following the faith?

Hi Pelagia,

I’m highlighting the last part of your post, because that I think is the whole key of what to say to your sister–that we need to persevere in our faith, even in spite of difficulties. That we need to just keep hanging on and hanging in there.

I feel that that’s all any of us can do–just do our daily best.

We don’t have to be perfect, but just make our best effort to do the best that we can. We all fall and we all fail, but we can pick ourselves up and go to Confession when we need to.

If she’s going for Spiritual Direction, I think that’s great. I would go myself when I felt that I needed that kind of help and guidance, too.

If I were you, I would just continue to be there for her too as a source of emotional support, and also lead by example when it comes to Catholic tradition, such as going to Mass on Holy Days of Obligation, and so on.

Sometimes we don’t realize the positive effect we can have on others.

 

[Beryllos]

… She cannot stand the whole saint calendar, praying the rosary, always having to pray about something and surrendering to God’s will…

Your sister loves God, and she loves those around her. Do not despair.

Perhaps saints and rosaries are not what she needs at this point in her life. Could it be that she has become tired of (burned out on) such pious disciplines? How old is she?

Maybe for a change of pace she (and you?) could participate in adult faith formation ministries that are offered by your parish (Catechism and Bible study, for example). If your parish doesn’t have such programs, maybe you could find them at another parish or campus Catholic community.

I am praying for your sister and you.

 

[tweedlealice]

My sister does not seem to like any of the Catholic traditions. She thinks it is ridiculous that missing mass is a sin. She attends mass weekly or biweekly anyways. She confesses weekly or biweekly. She cannot stand the whole saint calendar, praying the rosary, always having to pray about something and surrendering to God’s will. The sin of pride emerges. She still wants to be a good person. She finds it difficult to always give money to people well because she is not big-balling. A friend recently asked her for 300 dollars, she gave it to her because God says if someone asks you should give. She hates needing a spiritual director. She is often seems to hate her personality. How can I explain the importance of remaining faithful even when you are frustrated or tired of following the faith?

Salutations,
Explain it is not the church she is following but the teachings of Jesus. We find this in the Bible. She should go to the Bible study offered in the church. She’ll make friends there. It is a relationship w Jesus that we strive for. The Song of Solomon shows a physical passion that God gave us but He wants rhat same fall in love spiritual passion. The best times you spent talking to a new lover. Jesus is the Lover of our souls. To settle for anything less is sad.
SEEK YE FIRST, THE KINGDOM OF GOD AND EVERYTHING ELSE WILL BE ADDED UNTO YOU.
FIND THE JOY.
in Christ’s love
Tweedlealice