Where do you draw the line?

[jmcrae]

I would have done this, but instead told him that I was praying to St. Frances of Rome, the patron saint of vehicles! Hah!

 

[Annc]

I
“Tell him it’s a Catholic wrench saving his Protestant a##”.

God forgive me but this cracked me up.

I agree with all those that said you should have helped etc. but you are human. Be sure to tell your wife that you know you made a mistake and if possible talk to your wife’s family. Tell them that you know their opinions on Catholicism, etc. but that you respectfully request that they be respectful of your faith as you are of theirs or lack of faith.

There are days that I think I make just as much progress admitting my mistakes to the person I have injured (with an apology) as I do by not making any at all. Does that make sense? You can still be an example of a good Christian with a sincere apology.

BTW, did your wife deliver the message?

 

[Simon_X]

God forgive me but this cracked me up.

I agree with all those that said you should have helped etc. but you are human. Be sure to tell your wife that you know you made a mistake and if possible talk to your wife’s family. Tell them that you know their opinions on Catholicism, etc. but that you respectfully request that they be respectful of your faith as you are of theirs or lack of faith.

There are days that I think I make just as much progress admitting my mistakes to the person I have injured (with an apology) as I do by not making any at all. Does that make sense? You can still be an example of a good Christian with a sincere apology.

BTW, did your wife deliver the message?

I like Ann’s post…Wanted to say, hang in there. It is indeed hard being a good Christian or Catholic when faced with prejudice or bigot type people. But we do have an obligation not to sink to their level. I guess we’ve all pretty much been where you are with folks and situations like that one.

Take Care my friend…

 

[Nousername]

I am currently enrolled in RCIA. I consider myself to be Catholic( very proud of that) and I am anxious for my baptism and confirmation
I have had my faith choice attacked repeatedly by family, friends, and co-workers. I stand strong by my choice and I don’t nor will I ever regret the choice that I made to become Catholic.

Recently, my wife’s biological father and her grandmother (they are Methodists) called and asked my wife if she is thinking about converting to the Catholic Church. My wife said " I haven’t really thought about it" to which her father said “You better damn well not!”. Her grandmother was heard in the background saying “No good Catholics!”. Her father and grandmother continued to slam the Catholic faith and Catholics in general.

Today my father in law’s truck wouldn’t start and he was in a town 10 miles away and needed a wrench brought to him. My wife asked if I wanted to go help him and I said no not after what he and his mother said about me. She understood why I said what I said and she took the wrench to him. I sent her a text saying “Tell him it’s a Catholic wrench saving his Protestant a##”.

I know I was NOT being a good Christian by not helping him and I know we are supposed to love everyone regardless, but I felt the need to “strike back” because I am insulted by him and his ways.

I have to ask you my Catholic brothers and sisters…where do you draw the line on helping people who slam our faith?

Yeah, you goofed. I know its hard, but ya know what? Texting that message to your wife about the CATHOLIC wrench and his Protestant A##…did make me chuckle. Sorry, can’t help LOVING such quick wit. And you didn’t hit him over the head with that CATHOLIC wrench, so THAT’S a good thing. The just man falls seven times a day, says the good book. Thank God, He knows our imperfection. A slap on the wrist for that one, but me thinks our understanding God got a chuckle too.

 

[Dee_Geils]

St. Michael had righteous indignation … and thank God for St. Michael.

I am a convert and I wrestle with “the line” when people show blatant hate for the Church Christ founded.

When I was 15 a Catholic school mate quietly pointed out that the Catholic Church was founded by Jesus Christ and the St. Peter was the first Pope.

I was still full of “hate” … and it took a little time but the Catholic Church is the original Christian Church and I have come to understand that Human Ego is the reason there are so-o-o many non-Catholic “Christian” denominations.

St. Michael, Pray for US. dg

 

[cricket36]

To the original poster:

Despite what happened, something good has already come out of it. First of all, you brought your situation to the forum. Secondly, you have now received all kinds of support and suggestions for any future events like you experienced. You were corrected with love and humor and were made to recognize that we are not always perfect in how we handle situations.

I bet you are a stronger person for admitting your mistake to us and listening for a response.

Keep on “keeping on” and God bless you.

 

[NonCatholic]

I am currently enrolled in RCIA. I consider myself to be Catholic( very proud of that) and I am anxious for my baptism and confirmation
I have had my faith choice attacked repeatedly by family, friends, and co-workers. I stand strong by my choice and I don’t nor will I ever regret the choice that I made to become Catholic.

Recently, my wife’s biological father and her grandmother (they are Methodists) called and asked my wife if she is thinking about converting to the Catholic Church. My wife said " I haven’t really thought about it" to which her father said “You better damn well not!”. Her grandmother was heard in the background saying “No good Catholics!”. Her father and grandmother continued to slam the Catholic faith and Catholics in general.

Today my father in law’s truck wouldn’t start and he was in a town 10 miles away and needed a wrench brought to him. My wife asked if I wanted to go help him and I said no not after what he and his mother said about me. She understood why I said what I said and she took the wrench to him. I sent her a text saying “Tell him it’s a Catholic wrench saving his Protestant a##”.

I know I was NOT being a good Christian by not helping him and I know we are supposed to love everyone regardless, but I felt the need to “strike back” because I am insulted by him and his ways.

I have to ask you my Catholic brothers and sisters…where do you draw the line on helping people who slam our faith?

Okay, you both made mistakes; water under the bridge. I would try to listen to what they say and not how they say it; likewise, they should do the same toward you. Everyone has something worth listening to from time to time, so focus on the positives and do your best to filter out the negatives. In laws can definitely test one’s faith, but as Christians we are called to take the higher ground, so to speak.

Love covers a multitude of sins.

 

[JJJ4Eva]

God is a vengeful God, so I think He might forgive you for your vengefulness. Don’t think though that it should be ongoing. I found Catholics enter a realm of such defensiveness, and it’s so not necessary. God is on your side. Your Church was built 2000 years ago in Rome, its Rock-Solid. Catholics are a target because people don’t understand what happens (pomp and ceremony?), and if you ask me there’s a measure of jealousy towards the age and perceived holiness of the Religion. I used to be Catholic, but hey, no one’s perfect. I believe in God, in The Holy Trinity, and in YAHWEH’s endless Love. I do believe that He favours His Son’s Church and blesses it abundantly, but I don’t believe that God is Catholic or that Catholic’s have Him in their back-pockets, I believe that God is merciful and looks at the heart of a sinner rather than the sin. I think defend your church, but I think love God first, then your church, for the Church is an institution, and when you speak of God with love you make people see Him as the beauty that He is. And when you defend an institution you miss the point of God and Love.

 

[htk553]

God forgive me but this cracked me up.

I agree with all those that said you should have helped etc. but you are human. Be sure to tell your wife that you know you made a mistake and if possible talk to your wife’s family. Tell them that you know their opinions on Catholicism, etc. but that you respectfully request that they be respectful of your faith as you are of theirs or lack of faith.

There are days that I think I make just as much progress admitting my mistakes to the person I have injured (with an apology) as I do by not making any at all. Does that make sense? You can still be an example of a good Christian with a sincere apology.

BTW, did your wife deliver the message?

No she did not deliver the message.

Thank you to everyone who posted. I sincerely appreciate your comments, advice, and, the time you took to reply.

Everyone’s kindness here just goes to prove my point…

CATHOLICS ARE AWESOME