preaching

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I try to plant the seed but the conversion part is up to God. On Thanksgiving I brought my brother (a fallen away Catholic) a New Testament and a copy of Pillar of Fire, Pillar of Truth. I told him I had brought him something to look at. He said, “I’ll look at it. The cover, that is.” But now he has it so hopefully he’ll open it in his own good time. It’s up to him. I’m afraid that if I try to push him on it I’ll lose him for good.
 
I chose the first option, as I try to follow the advice of St. Francis: “Preach the Gospel at all times. Use words if necessary.” (Though I understand that this quote probably is not attributed to him, the spirit of its meaning definitely is.)

Peace and God bless! 🙂

Eric
 
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enanneman:
I chose the first option, as I try to follow the advice of St. Francis: “Preach the Gospel at all times. Use words if necessary.” (Though I understand that this quote probably is not attributed to him, the spirit of its meaning definitely is.)

Peace and God bless! 🙂

Eric
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Great response and above all great advice.

Leo
 
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enanneman:
I chose the first option, as I try to follow the advice of St. Francis: “Preach the Gospel at all times. Use words if necessary.” (Though I understand that this quote probably is not attributed to him, the spirit of its meaning definitely is.)

Peace and God bless! 🙂

Eric
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I believe St Francis’ words were good for his time, when everyone in Europe was Catholic and therefore there was little confusion about the “True Church.”

Today it is different, we must now Evangelise Always (Actions and virtous living very important) and “Always” use words to distinguish us and point to the One Holy CATHOLIC and Apostiolic Church.

If we do not use Words a lot, people may see virtuos behaviour and think it is simply good "Protestant behaviour " - if they know no better and do not have their ignorance enlightened.

When asked it should come down to simple statments such as

“I do this because I am a true follower of Jesus Christ through the only Church he founded - The Catholic Church. Amen If you do not believe me, check out these facts on www.catholic.com!”

Only last week the Pope has again requested again that us as lay Catholic’s to evangelise -

message follows
**Code: ZE04112102
****Date: 2004-11-21

****Pope Exhorts Laity to Proclaim Gospel With More Effort
**VATICAN CITY, NOV. 21, 2004 (Zenit.org).- John Paul II encourages the faithful “to assume with greater determination” their specific task to proclaim the Gospel in society.

Before praying the Angelus with the pilgrims gathered today in St. Peter’s Square, the Pope explained that the “evangelical animation of the temporal order is a duty of every baptized person, in particular of the lay faithful.”

He delivered that message on the day marking the 40th anniversary of the promulgation of the Second Vatican Council’s dogmatic constitution “Lumen Gentium.”

This text “constituted a milestone in the journey of the Church on the paths of the contemporary world and stimulated the people of God to assume, with greater determination, their responsibilities in the building of that Kingdom of Christ which will only have its fulfilment beyond history,” the Pope said.

John Paul II also pointed to the Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, published in October by the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, as a new aid for the faithful. The Pope made a special point to thank the council for its contribution.

“To achieve its objective, however, every human effort must be supported by prayer,” the Holy Father added.
 
I’ll answer questions if people ask, but I figure I’m probably more of a scandal than an evangelist. I am a single mom with a child concieved out of wedlock, and I’ve noticed that if I mention anything religious, and it makes the listener at all comfortable, they’re quick to point out my “hypocracy” so I think it’s better for the Church if I keep my mouth shut.

I used to worry that being seen recieving communion while pregnant and unmarried might be a scandal to the children in my parish, actually. I may have been forgiven for my initial sin of unmarital sex, but I am still a scandal, ya know?
 
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katybird:
I’ll answer questions if people ask, but I figure I’m probably more of a scandal than an evangelist. I am a single mom with a child concieved out of wedlock, and I’ve noticed that if I mention anything religious, and it makes the listener at all comfortable, they’re quick to point out my “hypocracy” so I think it’s better for the Church if I keep my mouth shut.

I used to worry that being seen recieving communion while pregnant and unmarried might be a scandal to the children in my parish, actually. I may have been forgiven for my initial sin of unmarital sex, but I am still a scandal, ya know?
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Your sin you can use to your advantage to evangelise, tell people up front what you did, how you regret it and how through the sacrament of confession you are reconciled with God.

St Peter afterall denied Christ, yet was the first among the apostles, people could have said to him “But you denied him”, he would have probably given a similar response to that above.

God Bless, and stand up for Christ and his Church, he needs you out there witnessing. Help save souls.
 
Gunner, thanks for your nice comments!

I DO try to explain these things when I have the chance, but A) it’s often frustrating and embarrassing and B) what about the people who don’t ask? THERE’S the real scandal… I can’t exactly wear a sandwich board that says “Yes, I know I’m wearing a crucifix and a baby on my hip and no wedding ring, but I’ve confessed my sins and I no longer do those sins and the Catholic Church is for sinners in the same way a hospital is for sick people…”

It’s embarrassing, but I don’t complain because, duh, what did I expect?

I admit to being resentful of one woman in my parish who actually approached me while I was pregnant and said something like “You HAVE been to confession, haven’t you?” This same woman apparently showed a picture of my baby to all sorts of people asking “Does this baby look like it has a black father?” because I had a black boyfriend after I got pregnant and I never exactly explained to anyone that this boyfriend was not the father…
 
I don’t preach. I do defend my faith when I hear it being attacked. If asked I am more than happy to share my faith with people. If someones really hurting I’ll ask them if they have faith and speak about it if they are open. Most of all I try and live a good and moral life as an example. Sometimes preaching scares the fish away, you have to preach to receptive ears.
 
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