How do you evangelize your family

[Renarax]

My family is mostly Hindu but I want to start evangelizing to them so that they can become christian too. How do you evangelize to hardcore followers of a certain religion?
My grandmother for example, she prays to the Hindu gods every morning at dawn. I don’t think if I say that it’s wrong she’ll take it lightly. And after like 70 years of praying to those gods I doubt anyone would change.
That is why I’m concerned. I think I’ve succeeded in converting my brother secretly My mother would join any religion which she likes because “God is one, he just shows himself differently to different people.” Yeah I got that when I tried to talk my way out of celebrating the festival. That night was harsh. Anyway I fear she’ll get pulled into Buddhism by her perpetually depressed cousin who thinks Sako Gakkai is the solution to all her problems.

So where do you start? “Let me share the gospel with you!” is too . . . awkward. or a more informal"Hey grandma! Let me tell you about Saint Phocas who also likes to garden like you!" That doesn’t sound right. Neither does " I feel Christianity is the true religion." If I say the latter I’ll probably get lectured by my closest family who claim all religions are true but have never read any religious text apart from prayer books.

Where did you begin?

 

[Trishie]

Dear Renarax, God bless you for your desire to inspire others to follow Jesus.
As you suspect, arguing to convince others isn’t necessarily a successful strategy.
Our evangelization of others is most poignantly begun by faithfully living as good sincere authentic Christians ourselves.
Nothing we can say speaks more loudly than living the gospel of Jesus’ love with faithfulness, patience and kindness.

Saint Francis of Assisi said “Preach the Gospel at all times, and when necessary, use words.”
We preach the gospel first of all by living it in our daily life, a kind word instead of an impatient and angry one, and so on.

We also pray, that God will give the necessary graces to family members and others.
WE trust also that God knows their intentions and will lead them in His own time and His own way.

If we do speak of the faith we do so respectfully…and hopefully in answer to questions which would indicate that it is possible to discuss matters of faith, as questions do give an opening to share your faith.

May God give you the words and the wisdom to share the truth, and the grace to live and witness it in your own daily life.

 

[Trishie]

Some links that may be helpful:

Pope Francis in EVANGELII GAUDIUM

“The primary reason for evangelizing,” Pope Francis says, “is the love of Jesus which we have received, the experience of salvation which urges us to ever greater love of him.” He asks rhetorically: “What kind of love would not feel the need to speak of the beloved, to point him out, to make him known?” (EG, No. 264)

This love for God and the fact that he loved us first, will compel us to go out, to “to enter fully into the fabric of society, sharing the lives of all, listening to their concerns, helping them materially and spiritually in their needs, rejoicing with those who rejoice, weeping with those who weep; arm in arm with others, we are committed to building a new world. But we do so not from a sense of obligation, not as a burdensome duty, but as the result of a personal decision which brings us joy and gives meaning to our lives.” (EG, No. 269)

catholicculture.org/commentary/articles.cfm?id=559

May God abundantly bless your family members and you.

 

[saintalphonsus]

Say the rosary for them. Our Lady’s intercession never fails. Also, unite all your sufferings throughout the day with Jesus’ s suffering on the cross. Prayer and sacrifice is the key. God bless you!

 

[ChikaisHis]

I struggle with this too but I think that especially with family, living out your faith and loving them is the way to start.
Pray for them. And don’t doubt- God loves all your family members and it is definitely possible for them to change. But also know that it isn’t your job to convert them, only to share your faith and leave the rest up to them and God.

 

[Catholicskier]

Remember everyone goes at a different pace. Be as kind as possible