Helping your spouse to heaven?

[Lifeisawesome]

If you are married, do you believe this is part of your responsibility? If so, how do you pursue that responsibility?

 

[Truly_Beloved]

If you are married, do you believe this is part of your responsibility?

Absolutely.

If so, how do you pursue that responsibility?

I pray for him. I listen to his doubts, without criticism. I discuss things with him, when he asks about them. I buy Catholic books, so if he wants to read them, they are available. I offer up my pain, frustration, annoyances, and sadness for his faith. I submit to his judgment, and love him the best I can.

 

[Mortal_Man]

Well, I’m not married, but I do believe that for a married Catholic, the sincere life-long attempt to get your spouse to heaven is not only part of your responsibility, but your primary responsibility. How should you do this? First, and most important, prayer. Pray for your spouse. Pray that they grow closer to the Lord. Pray that they find encouragement in the Christian life. Pray that they find the strength to resist temptation. Also, be an encouragement for them in life. Assist them to rise again when they fall. Offer counsel. I think all of these things are important.

 

[whatevergirl]

If you are married, do you believe this is part of your responsibility? If so, how do you pursue that responsibility?

I’m married, and I do believe this is part of my responsibility, as my dh’s for me, as well. I go about this as best as I can by praying for protection from sin for both of us…praying for my husband in general…and supporting him as I can. I also try to make his life easier. If he cooks, I clean up. If I do the laundry one day, he might do it the next. These things might sound trite by themselves, but they make a difference over time.

I think that part of helping our spouses to heaven involves us sacrificing our wants and feelings, for the good of the marriage. Doesn’t mean we become different people, or zombies…but, it means that our efforts are always geared towards the betterment of the other, and the marriage.

Just my two cents.

 

[Lil_M]

Yep that’s my job (and his job)

I see it as being a supporter, being accountable to one another. You know how nobody wants to go to confession, but if one or the other is like, “We should really go”, we’re more likely to take the time to go. Mass attendance is obviously a no- brainer. I am really strict about finances/money and while I certainly always give to parish and other charities, my DH is more generous in that respect that he believes God is/will care for us so we should also give to those in greater need without checking the bank statement If one of us has a question I’ll pull out the Catechism. Since he is a convert and I’m cradle, he’ll ask me about traditions that I have just accepted and then we both learn the “hows” and “whys”. Generally, just encouraging one another to grow in the faith individually and as a family.

 

[Lifeisawesome]

I am glad to hear your (name removed by moderator)ut - it is very encouraging. My wife and I have initiated a series on this and I wondered if it would resonate with folks or if it would be something with little interest.

Would you mind checking this out and telling us what you think?

rcspiritualdirection.blogspot.com/2009/02/marriage-spirituality-are-you-helping.html

The series will include:

• Why should we be motivated to care for the spiritual need of our spouses.
• How we can develop spiritual intimacy with God together.

etc.

I would be grateful for you (name removed by moderator)ut on what are the primary struggles with this issue in Catholic homes.

 

[jwashu]

If you are married, do you believe this is part of your responsibility? If so, how do you pursue that responsibility?

Yes! I’m to love my wife as Christ loves the Church! He made the ultimate sacrifice for our salvation. I’m at LEAST called to take partial responsiblity for her salvation.

Primarily through pray, Bible studies, keeping her focused when she falls just as she does the same for me. Neither of us are perfect but with each others help and love… and HIS grace we can grow a little bit each day!

Joe

 

[sandraladeda]

How do I help my husband to heaven?

I drive him crazy, with all my faults and failings, so that, as he perseveres in our marriage, he is being purified…

Okay, okay, I also pray for him, and, because he is not very deep in his Catholic faith (yet! ) I try to lead by my example of my Catholic living. I bite my tongue when I want to pester him about his faith. I only sweat the small stuff, so that I can focus on the big, important, non-neogtiable things, like gettting the kids to mass.

As I grow deeper in my relationship with Christ, I try to model it as best I can, so that my hubby will look at me and think “hmmm… I want to be like her”
imho

 

[JustAnotherThou]

If you are married, do you believe this is part of your responsibility?

:yup: :yup: :yup:

If so, how do you pursue that responsibility?

when i have to “nag” him about something, I remind him that God gave me the responsibility to insure he makes it to heaven. Probably not the best way to do it, although that is what I do. Oh I also pray that it is working!!!

 

[TommyWommy]

If you are married, do you believe this is part of your responsibility? If so, how do you pursue that responsibility?

Absolutely!

I try to fulfill that responsibility by loving her as Christ loved the Church and gave Himself for it. (Not easy!) I try to be a good example for her as a Christian. I hold her and tell her I love her. I am open and honest with her about the faith and what it means to me. I join her in her RCIA class after Mass is over. I try to see her as God sees her and reflect it the best I can. I let her be herself. I pray with her and for her.