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Angie_Rivas1
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| Joined: | Wed Oct 11th, 2006 |
| Location: | Downey, USA |
| Posts: | 110 |
| First Name: | Angie | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Cradle Catholic |
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Posted: Wed Mar 21st, 2007 12:23 am |
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As an active catholic, does my responsibility ever end to invite baptized catholics to different church events and bring them back to the Lord? I know I am called to spread the good news about the gospel, but what if people continue rejecting it because they do not have the time or they are just not interested. It is sad and sometimes frustrating to know that people (in this case relatives and close friends) can make excuses not to attend a bible study, but if they are invited to a party then it is a different story. You recall that I was lost and by God's mercy I returned home. However, as hard as it was I decided to follow His path. Am I wrong for having the same expectation on people? Where is their accountability to get to know the Lord? Sometimes all it takes is to give Him a chance. I am praying for them.
Angie
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"Be not afraid" JPII
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David W. Emery
Network Helper
| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Brownsville, Texas USA |
| Posts: | 2037 |
| First Name: | David | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Catholic |
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Posted: Wed Mar 21st, 2007 12:47 am |
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I think this is a question of prudence, Angie. Is it more effective to continue inviting someone who invariably turns down the offer, or to stop inviting but continue praying? As you know, I am a great believer in the efficacy of prayer. I would continue praying regardless of what I did by way of invitation. Let us remember, however, that sometimes we get discouraged and give up too soon. He just might accept the next invitation.
Relatives and friends are always the hardest nuts to crack. Jesus himself said that a prophet is not without honor except in his own country and among his own people.
So when he went back to Nazareth for a short time, “he did not do many mighty works there, because of their unbelief” (Matthew 13:58). You may plant the seed, but expect others to reap the harvest.
Where is their accountability to get to know the Lord? Sometimes all it takes is to give Him a chance.
This is true. But the person of hard heart and stiff neck will continue in his ways. You are right to continue praying, even if you cannot help them otherwise. Often this is the only way they will eventually come to the Lord.
David
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beachmoss
Member
| Joined: | Mon Nov 13th, 2006 |
| Location: | Simpsonville, South Carolina USA |
| Posts: | 281 |
| First Name: | Beth | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Catholic (raised Baptist) |
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Posted: Wed Mar 21st, 2007 12:52 am |
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Angie,
It sounds to me like you are doing a wonderful job! Just keep inviting them and let God do the work. The best you can do is offer friendship to and prayers for these "lost souls." God only expects you to plant a seed. He will nourish it to fruition. Remember that St. Monica prayed for Augustine for 30 years. Let's hope that you won't have to wait so long to see results!! You never know when the next invitation you extend will be the one that draws someone back to the Church.
God bless you!
Beth
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Darlene
Member
| Joined: | Mon Oct 9th, 2006 |
| Location: | Pocono Mountains, Pennsylvania USA |
| Posts: | 868 |
| First Name: | Darlene | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Christian, trusting His love and forgiveness |
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Posted: Thu Mar 22nd, 2007 04:30 pm |
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Wow, 30 years?! Beth, what relation was St. Monica to St. Augustine? A friend, etc? I have heard that Augustine was a pagan prior to being a Christian. Is this true? Is there a biography written about him, and is so, which one is the most accurate?
Darlene
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The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. II Corinthians 13:14
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beachmoss
Member
| Joined: | Mon Nov 13th, 2006 |
| Location: | Simpsonville, South Carolina USA |
| Posts: | 281 |
| First Name: | Beth | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Catholic (raised Baptist) |
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Posted: Thu Mar 22nd, 2007 06:03 pm |
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She was his mother! This is why she is a patron saint of mothers.
I'm sorry I can't give you a good reference to go to. I'm sure someone else could refer a book for you.
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CajunRick
Network Helper
| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Houma, Louisiana USA |
| Posts: | 5312 |
| First Name: | Rick (& Kermie) | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Lifetime Catholic, Latin Rite |
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Posted: Thu Mar 22nd, 2007 08:26 pm |
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beachmoss wrote: She was his mother! This is why she is a patron saint of mothers.
I'm sorry I can't give you a good reference to go to. I'm sure someone else could refer a book for you.
You can read about St. Monica at Catholic Forum. She was in an adulterous, troublesome, abusive marriage to a pagan, and prayed for her husband's conversion along with her son's, and both converted. She was also a reformed alcoholic.
Near the end of her earthly life, she told Augustine:
"Son, as far as I am concerned, nothing in this life now gives me any pleasure. I do not know why I am still here, since I have no further hopes in this world. I did have one reason for wanting to live a little longer: to see you become a Catholic Christian before I died. God has lavished his gifts on me in that respect, for I know that you have even renounced earthly happiness to be his servant. So what am I doing here?"
She fell sick a few days later.
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Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand. - Augustine
Rick Luquette
Luquette Lane
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