Trouble among devout family members

[holyrood]

Part of the problem I have, and I imagine it may be the same for the OP, is that I’ve been afflicted by some of the same demons that I see in my family and friends’ lives but I’ve gotten past those, largely thanks to God’s intercession in my life and me actively practicing my faith. I go to Confession regularly and pray the Rosary daily (sometimes more). That causes me to reflect on my actions and my sins. That keeps me on the straight and narrow and prevents me from doing a ton of things I did in the past. I have a statue of Mary sitting over my computer. I couldn’t imagine going to an inappropriate website with her looking over me. Seeing how my faith has helped me, it bothers me that these people, especially the ones who claim to be devout or “good Catholics,” can still either do the awful things they do, or just be all around horrible people.

Well said, Gordon. I get the feeling some posts equate all sins. Yes, we’re all sinners, but I do see a difference between still struggling with impatience (say, letting a sigh escape when my kids are telling a long drawn-out story with many details) vs. choking your daughter or calling her, drunk, at 10:30 in the morning to leave a dozen voicemails calling her vulgar names. And to do this when you’re in your 70s and have had a long lifetime to work on these things.

 

[Contra_Mundum_1]

… choking your daughter or calling her, drunk, at 10:30 in the morning to leave a dozen voicemails calling her vulgar names.

This is crazy behaviour and you are better off staying away. It is so sad when there is such craziness in the family, but we have to work with what we got and make hard decisions at times. I have no explanation for how it is possible to practice one’s faith and to behave in such a horrible way. Something must be **seriously **wrong.

 

[EasterJoy]

Well said, Gordon. I get the feeling some posts equate all sins. Yes, we’re all sinners, but I do see a difference between still struggling with impatience (say, letting a sigh escape when my kids are telling a long drawn-out story with many details) vs. choking your daughter or calling her, drunk, at 10:30 in the morning to leave a dozen voicemails calling her vulgar names. And to do this when you’re in your 70s and have had a long lifetime to work on these things.

Yes, you’re right. Just because you refrain from judging a person’s soul does not mean you ought to refrain from judging whether you ought to put them in a position of trust or whether they ought to be allowed to face the normal consequences of their actions. We ought to confess our offense when we break a window, but gaining absolution does not mend the glass. We ought to be understanding when someone has the burden of a bad temper, but that doesn’t mean we can’t stand between such a person and the opportunity to take up a bat!! The truth is, if we ourselves have a bad temper, instead of letting them at the bat, we’d want to keep them from the bat all the more, in the hope that when we lose it they’ll do the same for us.