Would God be pleased with my efforts, or is it not enough?

[Shondee]

My best friend, a young woman just a few years younger than I, is not Catholic. She thinks her family is Lutheran, but she’s never been taken to church, except by an ex boyfriend. He took her to extreme fundamental independant churches, in which she had no interest. She does, however, identify as a Christian.

I know some of the things she believes and actions she supports are not authentically Christian, and I love her so very much, that I use every opportunity I can to be a good example of the Catholic faith. And I’m very lucky to have a non-Catholic friend who actually quite admires and appreciates my faith. She often comes up to me to ask, What do Catholics believe about ___? and I answer as best I can, and on several occasions she’s quite liked the answer. “Your people are kind of epic.,” she’s told me several times. She does not adhere to all the belief’s, but she sees the sense in many, even over “her people,” as she calls Protestants. So much so, that she’s come to marginally accept the concept of Puragtory, because it makes sense to her, and our rejection of Sola Fide.

This being said, I’ve NEVER been one to be all up in people’s face about religion. Every friend I’ve ever had was Protestant, and even my husband is. There are VERy few Catholics where I live, and my stragedy of evangelism has always been to be as good an example of a faithful Catholic as I could be, educate myself so that no one may back me into a philosophical corner, and to loving educate those around me.

However, I’ve heard many people who have a more urgent emphasis on evangelisation, which leaves me feeling as though I’m not doing enough. Are we called to be forceful? If my friend, for example, continues to reject becoming part of Catholicism, or even active Christianity, do I have a moral obligation to be more emphatic? Or am I doing a good job within the situations? I want dearly to see my loved ones in Heaven, but I fear that becoming pushy would taint the image of Catholicism negatively towards them, especially that since to many in my life, I’m the only example they have

 

[rom422]

I think you are doing just fine, but perhaps more prayers will also help a great deal. I have been reading some autobiographies written by converts, and I noticed that most of them were converted from within - I mean, by an inner grace - rather than by external influences, such as arguments or persuasive talks by friends. You may push or present the most convincing reasons for our Catholic faith, but your friend can still remain unmoved. That’s because your friend also need to be touched by grace. So, your prayers for your friend can do a great deal more than you could ever imagine.

If I were you I would continue to set good examples, be ready to answer questions that your friend asks, and do more praying. Then let the Holy Spirit do the rest.

 

[JackVk]

Prayer and fasting is the key. “Suffering borne gladly for other converts more people than sermons”, thus saith St. Therese the Little Flower. It’s one of those things that you really have to let them come to it. Living as a faithful, upright Catholic is EXACTLY what you should be doing; being pushy and judgmental will only drive people away.

 

[Trishie]

Saint Francis of Assisi said: “Preach the gospel at all times – If necessary, use words.”
Does this help? You *are *preaching by example, and when necessary, you do use words

 

[Nom_the_Wise]

…Are we called to be forceful? If my friend, for example, continues to reject becoming part of Catholicism, or even active Christianity, do I have a moral obligation to be more emphatic? Or am I doing a good job within the situations? I want dearly to see my loved ones in Heaven, but I fear that becoming pushy would taint the image of Catholicism negatively towards them, especially that since to many in my life, I’m the only example they have

Of course we’re not called to be forceful. But if your friend is saying things like “Your people are kind of epic…” that might be her essentially asking you to invite her to Church some Sunday. It’s a “selling sign” to use the language of commerce. It sounds like she’s questioning and genuinely curious. Why not just invite her to attend RCIA? See what she says…