Un-spiritual Catholics

  • Thread starter Thread starter Deus_tecum
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
D

Deus_tecum

Guest
What should we do with Catholic acquaintances that live a worldly life, and seem bereft of any spirituality outside of Sunday Mass attendance? Should we shake the dust off our feet, so to speak? The person I’m thinking of is married with kids, but speaks vulgarly about practically ever woman he sees. He also dominates conversations with his opinions which are usually negative, such as put-downs of coworkers.
 
My opinion. Pray for him, perhaps offer sacrifices for him, and set an example. If he’s an occasion of sin for you or drags you down spiritually, then avoid his company. On the other hand, if prudence suggests it, call him on it. Though that’s tricky with acquaintances.
 
But is he/she Catholic? If not, who are you to pass judgement in the ways of your god.
 
First try by setting a good example. If possible, bring up your faith in conversation (something like what do you believe about or did you know…). It might be a little awkward but see where he is in his faith. Maybe he has stress at work, family/home, or something else? Definitely pray for him and his family.

Also, ask if he and his family want to go to mass with you. Also see if there are any spiritual weekend retreats/talk/whatever (maybe he is a little weak in his Catholic orthodoxy) that you can invite him to go on. I don’t think you should give up on this relationship. Maybe God is guiding you in his life to help him regain his faith. If he is an occasion of sin for you, just be honest with him and maybe that will help him realize he needs to change. Hope this helps and I be praying for you and your friend.

God bless.! :signofcross:
 
Honestly, unless he respects you as a friend he’s not going to go to retreats, he’s not going to suddenly develop prayerful practices. God’s not done with him yet, so most of what YOU can do is pray and forgive him.
When he starts raggin on co-workers say "Listen man, life’s too short for me to worry about your co-workers who are acting up. Let’s talk about something positive. Did you see that game?
Something similar to that.
As AO says, call him on the things that will not cause him to blow up on you. It doesn’t do any good to preach if you anger him and he shuts down communication.
 
Deus_tecum said:
What should we do with Catholic acquaintances that live a worldly life, and seem bereft of any spirituality outside of Sunday Mass attendance? Should we shake the dust off our feet, so to speak? The person I’m thinking of is married with kids, but speaks vulgarly about practically ever woman he sees. He also dominates conversations with his opinions which are usually negative, such as put-downs of coworkers.
Click to expand...
Books make swell gifts! There’re all kinds of great possibilities. I guess one of the keys is to find something that immediately draws him in or otherwise appeals to his sensibilities.
 
As has been said, pray for him and his family. Put him under Our Lady’s protective mantle. It works wonders. God bless you for caring.
 
Deus_tecum said:
What should we do with Catholic acquaintances that live a worldly life, and seem bereft of any spirituality outside of Sunday Mass attendance? Should we shake the dust off our feet, so to speak? The person I’m thinking of is married with kids, but speaks vulgarly about practically ever woman he sees. He also dominates conversations with his opinions which are usually negative, such as put-downs of coworkers.
Click to expand...
I think the vulgarity needs to be addressed. Someone needs to step up… however… I often use a thin veil of humor to get my thoughts, and still keep a dialog from being shut down. I will remind someone when I do this that “I too am a sinner” and I too, have been confronted from time to time by people who really had my best interest, and that of others at heart. In other words, go to lengths to make sure you don’t come across as being sanctimonious.

PS: I took Saint Ignatius as my confirmation saint for several reasons. One was his chivalry. There are certain public behaviors I will not tolerate out of anyone.
 
Some people are able to compartamentalize their religious obligations
to Sunday only. They don’t really live a fully integrated Catholic life.
It is hard to come to that maturity. Maybe he never had any role models growing up. My Catholic life is not perfect by any means. I have my peaks and valleys. I don’t know how close you feel to this person so I guess you will have to ask the Holy Spirit to guide you.
 
Deus_tecum said:
What should we do with Catholic acquaintances that live a worldly life, and seem bereft of any spirituality outside of Sunday Mass attendance? Should we shake the dust off our feet, so to speak? The person I’m thinking of is married with kids, but speaks vulgarly about practically ever woman he sees. He also dominates conversations with his opinions which are usually negative, such as put-downs of coworkers.
Click to expand...
Pray for him and try to keep some distance from him, so his bad morals do not corrupt yours. God bless you.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top