That’s a great point.I seem to be in a strange place in my faith journey, but I wanted to address the issue of Catholics not being aware of their sinful nature or that Jesus died for their sins. I grew up in a Catholic family, and went to Catholic school, but it wasn’t until I stumbled upon a book written by an evangelical Christian pastor in college that I was aware that Jesus died for my sins. It changed my life, of course, and I couldn’t get enough evangelical Christian literature. I went to a few different churches, convinced that if I hadn’t heard the message of salvation in 20 years of Catholic influence, it wasn’t where I should be.
After a couple of years, I started going to a Catholic church again, and suddenly, the message of Jesus’ role in salvation was ALL I heard! I just don’t understand why I didn’t hear it in those exact same words a few years earlier.
I don’t pretend that there aren’t differences, and I don’t pretend to have all the answers, but I think it’s a matter of individual faith journeys. I think it’s easy to believe that if you bring your child to church and send them to school or religious ed classes, it’s enough. I think children would be better raised in faith if they were actually raised in faith, not in rule-following and Sunday morning/Wednesday night routines. Just like parents are the child’s most important teachers, they are also the child’s most important evangelists.
I was not pre Vatican II, however I still think that Saint Francis said it best when he said
**“preach the Gospel at all times; when necessary, use words” **We can evangelize all we want. The most powerful form of this is how our lives are lived. I have a BIG mouth, trust me, and I used to go around “battling the Protestants” on my job sites all the time. Figured they beat me with the Bible, perhaps it was time to turn the tide. While I did shut a few of them up from time to time, cause I was a Catholic that knew my stuff, I found that I reached very few of them.
On the other hand, those that I didn’t even try to reach, some have approached me here and there, and asked about my faith. My secret strength in dealing with my wife’s medical problems, or so on.
I think living a good life, and doing the things that need be done by you, are all that God needs to move forward in the world.
Just my two cents though…course…I come to here to spread faith as best I can to…so…yeah
Sonichuischool, may I ask, which needs of the people are not being ministered to? Are you talking about physical needs, spiritual needs, what? Isn’t there a Catholic Church in the area where you are?I am working in a Catholic country where the needs of the people are not being ministered to…
Of the Catholics who make up our congregation, only two or three (out of fifty) have heard that they were sinful, or that they are saved through Christ and not through “being a good person”. It is mind-boggling for me.
Thankyou for all your hard work in the Dominican Republic.All work in Gods name is good.Wow!!
I had no idea I would get so many replies! Thank you for all of your words, I can’t reply to every post individually but I would like to mention some things I read.
First of all, I am in the Dominican Republic.
Secondly, even though I am a missionary, we aren’t going around yanking people out of the pews of Catholic Churches and bribing them to attend our worship services. Hundreds all over the country just show up because they know someone who has had his life changed by the gospel.
I just get the impression that the ground is spiritually parched, and the harvest is great. Sadly, groups like the JWs and Mormons are likewise exploding onto the scene. Our success, in my opinion, is fueled partly by the Catholic Church’s failure.
Most people know of a Catholic Church, and the vast majority of the population identifies as Catholic. Most, however, don’t attend mass and only say they are Catholic because their ancestors were. When most visit their church, it is like a whole new experience. I was just so shocked because I am familiar with Catholic authors, apologists, and writers and it seems like the buck stops cold when it reaches the Catholics themselves.
Sorry for text wall. I just don’t get how people can not hear the gospel in this country when the pope, and many Catholics are so vocal and such good Christians. Perhaps its different for you in America?
Thank you. Either way, I am glad that you and I can spread the gospel.Thankyou for all your hard work in the Dominican Republic.All work in Gods name is good.
However I would just like to point out that you are in one small area I am happy for your peice of success and the vastness of Dom Rep is covered by The Catholic Church.Im sure The Catholic Church could do more
and we all pray that we all celebrate Gods love for us.We appreciate your concern and Im sure it is done with sincere charitable heart that your love of God should be shared.
Keep the good work up that you do.The Catholic Church is huge and is working in so many countries and desolate places throughout the world.
May God bless you and all your work