Loving and Honoring parents, and admonishing

[Irishmom2]

Some of what you are describing are not even sins, some of what you describe are not serious, but you should really discuss this with a priest. You might want to meet with a priest and get a better understanding of what sins are and your wish to admonish your parents. People sin, we all sin. I really think you need to just worry about your own sins, after you speak with a priest.

 

[RolandThompsonGunner]

Well, for context sake, its many things. Most conversations revolve around dwelling on bad things of the day if not expressing anger or disdain towards other people, most leisure time is spent in front of the TV with sitcoms and just generally unwholesome content, Sundays we unnecessarily travel and eat out and make others work (perhaps small businesses could be considered charity, but its mostly fast food chains), we take no time together as a family for God, only my Mom is ever willing to go to church with me, but she rarely goes to confession (she says an act of contrition before mass but never actually goes to confession), cussing, using The Lord’s name reductively, etc. I dont say these things to disgrace my parents, for I would not dare act with malice against them, but for the sake of context, i say these things

It honestly sounds like you’re overanalyzing every little thing and veering towards scrupulosity. A lot of this stuff isn’t really an issue at all. It’s great that you’re rediscovering your faith but I think you’re being a little hyper-critical of your family.

 

[andersr915]

Perhaps. Thank you for your response and your help, and God Bless

 

[JulianN]

Well, for context sake, its many things. Most conversations revolve around dwelling on bad things of the day if not expressing anger or disdain towards other people, most leisure time is spent in front of the TV with sitcoms and just generally unwholesome content, Sundays we unnecessarily travel and eat out and make others work (perhaps small businesses could be considered charity, but its mostly fast food chains),

Sitcoms are not in and of themselves sinful – and there is no prohibition in Catholicism about travelling or eating out on Sundays (including travel for pleasure). If these are the types of things you want to admonish your parents for doing, perhaps it would be best for you to move into your own home.

 

[Peeps]

Sundays we unnecessarily travel and eat out and make others work (perhaps small businesses could be considered charity, but its mostly fast food chains),

And many people are grateful for that weekend job and their wages.
Many people work another job during the week and need the additional weekend work to pay off a debt, or afford a living expense that otherwise they couldn’t afford (e.g., a car).

And people like me work on Sundays because our work is needed every day, 24 hours a day. I work in a hospital helping sick people and their families–I hope you don’t consider me and my co-workers sinful. There are many jobs that must be done on Sundays; e.g., taking care of children, farming, providing gasoline for cars, working at the jail, pastoring a church, firefighting–and yes, waitressing and other restaurant work. Many people, my brother for example, live alone and eat almost all of their meals out so that they can not only get good cooking, but also so they can meet friends and enjoy conversation. Is that sinful?

Be careful. I agree with all those here who say that you need to let GOD convict your parents of sin, and you need to show love, honor, and respect to your parents, which is one of the Ten Commandments.

 

[Tis_Bearself]

That’s kind of the crux of the issue though; most of what we do together is sinful.

Unless your parents are some sort of outlaw gang, I highly doubt this is the case.

It sounds more like you have an overzealous idea of what constitutes sinful behavior.

It is not a sin to spend leisure time in front of the TV. “Unwholesome content” is highly subjective and it’s likely your parents can handle shows where the characters don’t live the lives of saints and enjoy them as a story or as human nature, without somehow being tempted to go imitate the behavior of the characters. If you don’t like the shows then you can occupy yourself doing something else, like reading a book.

As for discussing bad things or other people, the family unit is generally considered a safe and private place to vent and discuss. Gossip generally involves spreading stories publicly, not just chatting with your immediate family in your home. If I thought my friend was having an affair, I might discuss it with my husband, privately, and it doesn’t leave the house. That’s not gossip. I don’t go tell the neighbors what I think my friend is doing. That is gossip.

The Church allows families to eat out on Sundays as part of spending time together. We don’t have to refrain for fear of creating unnecessary work for restaurant staff.

About the only sinful things you’ve mentioned are taking the Lord’s name in vain and your mom’s church habits. Re church habits, you can invite your mom to go to church with you, without pushing, and who knows maybe one day she will, but pushing or calling her a sinner is not going to do it. Regarding taking the Lord’s name in vain, don’t do it yourself and maybe just say “Have mercy on us” when they do it, but also understand that when such things become a habit it’s harder for people to just stop.

I really think you need to discuss this with your priest because the way you are coming off in this thread, I can understand why your family is not responding well to your criticisms. It is not uncommon for some young person who has all of a sudden discovered their faith to get a bit overzealous and take it too far. This is not good for you or your family. Talk to your priest.