Need help with relatives

[psalm90]

I have some racist, evangelical elderly relatives coming into town, who are also extremely anti-catholic.

Actually, they didn’t tell me that they would be dropping by (it will be a sneak attack, I think).

I’ve frankly told my aunt to convert to Catholicism and I felt obligated yesterday to email her and tell her to repent from her racism. I said you can’t be righteous and racist at the same time.

I don’t feel like opening the door to them, especially unannounced, as such. (they’re coming a thousand miles, they should have told me if they were going to stop by, I think.)

Any spiritual chiropractors out there? I think I need an adjustment. I know Jesus ate with sinners.

Should I just put up with 2 hours of small talk? I think this would be a hostile environment.

 

[puzzledtoo]

May you be filled with loving kindness. May you be well. May you be peaceful and at ease. May you be happy.
I am staying home this holiday season to avoid those that are bigoted, obnoxious, arrogant, etc… The only one I wish to engage with this Christmas is my elderly mother. I’ll stop by and see her during the day on Christmas eve.
I’m not much help probably but if I can avoid people and situations I find stressful I do so. This quiet time at home alone has given me some much needed time to still the mind chatter instead of adding to it.

 

[Gilly_flower]

I don"t think you can demand relatives convert to Catholicism or any thing else, and if they have travelled 1,000 miles and are elderly you should be kind enough to offer them a cup of tea and some small talk. Two hours is not long so take a deep breath and be kind…their behaviour is not the guide of yours…

 

[pianistclare]

I don"t think you can demand relatives convert to Catholicism or any thing else, and if they have travelled 1,000 miles and are elderly you should be kind enough to offer them a cup of tea and some small talk. Two hours is not long so take a deep breath and be kind…their behaviour is not the guide of yours…

This^^
You likely have made it worse in your response. You don’t like what they say, yet you felt ok with telling her to get her act together. How is that different.
Your problem may be solved for now, they may not show up.
But in the long run, you’ve missed a chance to show them you are a true Christian, whether they accept it or not.

 

[St_Francis]

Would you want to convert to X if the Xist person closest to you was obnoxious about it?

How would younlike them to treat you, wrt religion? Tell you you’re going to Hell unless you become Evangelical like they are?

The Catholic achurch teaches that we offer fraternal correction only inder certain circumstances, and only in certain ways. The goal is to inspire the wrong-doer to repent, not browbeat him into grudging, temporary agreement or to start a huge family fight.

What I would suggest is to have some questions ready about their beliefs, and ask them only if your relatives bring up Catholicism. So if they say, Oh, those Catholics pray to Mary, ask them if they ask other people to pray for them.

If they don’t bring up religion, then don’t you do it either. Show them some respect as elederly, as relatives, and as guests in your home. They’re probably saying, well, I guess we have to visit him as well as long as we are out there, even tho he is one of those liberal Catholics

The best way to evangelize the elderly, relatives, and the very convinced is to pray for them.

 

[Crusaderbear]

Any other relatives in the area? Meet on neutral ground! Maybe a local restaurant?

 

[tawny]

I don"t think you can demand relatives convert to Catholicism or any thing else, and if they have travelled 1,000 miles and are elderly you should be kind enough to offer them a cup of tea and some small talk. Two hours is not long so take a deep breath and be kind…their behaviour is not the guide of yours…

Well stated.

 

[cradlecatholic5]

I don"t think you can demand relatives convert to Catholicism or any thing else, and if they have travelled 1,000 miles and are elderly you should be kind enough to offer them a cup of tea and some small talk. Two hours is not long so take a deep breath and be kind…their behaviour is not the guide of yours…

:thumbsup:

Remember - grace, mercy & charity

 

[Mary_Estelle]

Yup, you stepped into a dirty puddle, didn’t you. I think I would try to re-email them and be very gracious and hospitable and welcoming to them. Your response is exactly why a lot of people do not like Catholics. Make yourself a “private vow” and call it the vow of hospitality. Peace.

 

[mommy_k]

I think I missed something because you stated they are coming unannounced but they already told u before they arrived that they are coming. How can that be a sneak attack? You could have told them no, please don’t come it’s a busy time…

As a result, now it’s time to do what others suggested-be a gracious host.

Unannounced to me is they show up your door without telling u at all.