How do I handle this?

[EMAC]

I’m not sure if I’m posting in the right place, so if I’m not I’m sorry.

I recently attended a retreat with my church. And while I am a cradle Catholic and have never been shy about letting people know that I was Catholic, I have a new found JOY in being Catholic. I am a different person since returning from the retreat. I can’t explain it, but I feel like my eyes have been opened and that I really want to be one with the church and I don’t feel like anything can shake my Catholic faith.
All that being said, most of my friends, co-workers are not Catholic and many do not attend any church. They think I’m still the same person and so they will continue to say things and expect certain responses or unresponses from me. I’m not sure I’m being clear but the best example I can give is yesterday a friend was discussing a lesbian couple doing invitro inorder to have a child. Normally, I wouldn’t say anything or it wouldn’t bother me. That’s not the case anymore. I’m not sure how to handle these situations now. Do I keep my mouth shut on things I know are wrong. Especially with topics like abortion. You’d be surprised how often morality topics come up. I know that none of them have experienced the fire that is going on inside of me but, I don’t want to scare away some of my very close friends either. Also, if I did speak up it would be so different from what I used to be like, they would probably think me a hypocrite or judgemental. Not sure where else to turn for advice so any is appreciated.
Thanks!

 

[YinYangMom]

Greetings, EMAC.

The Spirit is alive within you, obviously. Your hesitation to respond (not knowing how, now) comes from your comfort zone prior to your retreat.

At the retreat the gifts of the Spirit which you received at your confirmation were ignited and as you noted, there’s no going back now, and no more sitting on the fence.

Continue to trust that the Spirit is with you and will guide you on how best to respond to these situations now. You didn’t say anything at that moment, but you came here to ask - and that was the Lord answering your concern.

Take your question to adoration, too, and let Him know that as unnerving as all this might be, you are more than willing to let Him work through you to do His will, ask Him to help you trust in Him completely.

While you’re here on the forums head over to moral theology, social justice, family life and apologetics. You’ll find the responses you seek and lots of examples of people in similar shoes facing similar issues.

Peace be with you always,

YYM

 

[EMAC]

YYM, thank you, thank you, thank you!
Your post has made me feel so much better. I will follow your advice

The Spirit has so touched me I feeling like screaming! :extrahappy:

 

[kell0618]

Have I said things when perhaps it would have been better to keep my mouth closed?:yup: I find it is important than when replying to any questions or attacks on my faith or the things we hold dear, I ask God immediately for guidance. When I turn to Him first, I never say anything at the wrong time or place.

God bless you!

 

[YinYangMom]

The Spirit has so touched me I feeling like screaming! :extrahappy:

I’ve been doin’ my happy dance for almost 3 years now and instead of subsiding, the urge to do more keeps growing. I’m very happy for you and confident you are ready to be a humble servant. Please keep us apprised of your journey.

 

[EMAC]

Have I said things when perhaps it would have been better to keep my mouth closed?:yup: I find it is important than when replying to any questions or attacks on my faith or the things we hold dear, I ask God immediately for guidance. When I turn to Him first, I never say anything at the wrong time or place.

God bless you!

Very wise!

 

[rpp]

I’m not sure if I’m posting in the right place, so if I’m not I’m sorry.

I recently attended a retreat with my church. And while I am a cradle Catholic and have never been shy about letting people know that I was Catholic, I have a new found JOY in being Catholic. I am a different person since returning from the retreat. I can’t explain it, but I feel like my eyes have been opened and that I really want to be one with the church and I don’t feel like anything can shake my Catholic faith.
All that being said, most of my friends, co-workers are not Catholic and many do not attend any church. They think I’m still the same person and so they will continue to say things and expect certain responses or unresponses from me. I’m not sure I’m being clear but the best example I can give is yesterday a friend was discussing a lesbian couple doing invitro inorder to have a child. Normally, I wouldn’t say anything or it wouldn’t bother me. That’s not the case anymore. I’m not sure how to handle these situations now. Do I keep my mouth shut on things I know are wrong. Especially with topics like abortion. You’d be surprised how often morality topics come up. I know that none of them have experienced the fire that is going on inside of me but, I don’t want to scare away some of my very close friends either. Also, if I did speak up it would be so different from what I used to be like, they would probably think me a hypocrite or judgemental. Not sure where else to turn for advice so any is appreciated.
Thanks!

I understand your desire not to “scare away” anyone. That is a good thing, generally. When I converted, I lost every friend I had. Every last one. Why? Well, they all hated Christianity. I had become a Christian, they very thing we all hated. But I knew I had to become a Christian and a Catholic.

Do not lose this excitement you have. It is certainly from the Holy Spirit. You can support it by praying more and doing a little more meditation. Perhaps you can get a good spiritual book to read, like The Story of a Soul or one of the biographies of St. Maximilan Kolbe.

But do not hesitate to speak up. Of course be tactful and speak with charity, but speak up nevertheless.

God bless you EMAC!

 

[stbruno]

What you have experienced is what I like to call an “Aha” moment or a conversion experience. The Holy Spirit has found a very receptive person to listen to God’s call. Pray to keep the light of Christ burning brightly inside of you so that you can share it with others.

You don’t have to do it always by preaching…your actions speak even louder. Like St. Francis of Assisi said; Preach often and when necessary use words.

May God continue to bless you!