Aragon Posted April 23, 2013 Share Posted April 23, 2013 ...that so many people aren't Catholic? I mean really, really sad. The last year it has become something that I think about every day for a long time. I don't think it's healthy, actually, to be as fixated on evangelism as much as I am. It also makes me sad because I know no matter how many prayers I say for the conversion of sinners, no matter how much I try to witness to Christ by example or word, there are always going to be so many people that don't follow Him. Is this just me? Also, if God gives everyone sufficient grace for salvation, then what part do humans have in making converts? It would seem it's between God's grace and the individual's free will. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dominicansoul Posted April 23, 2013 Share Posted April 23, 2013 (edited) I remember being really devastated when I was a kid, when I found out the whole world wasn't Catholic... :lol: I used to go to Catholic school. I went to Mass with my classmates, and I wondered outloud why Joseph wasn't getting up to go receive Jesus. That's when our first-grade teacher, Sr. Mary Andrew, told me, "Joseph isn't Catholic." That made my head spin! I remember thinking... "oh no!" As the decades have passed, I find myself more zealous about converting Catholics to Catholicism than people of other faiths. I get really fixated on evangelizing those people who tell me, "I used to be Catholic but I wasn't fed until I discovered this other place where our worship is just like that of the Apostles on Pentecost Sunday!" At the moment, that person is my boss. i've had long discussions with her. And even when there is nothing else to be said, I want to tell her more. I do recognize that it is between God and her. He may use sad little old me to make her think about things, but we do need to recognize it all comes down to God and the individual ... most of the time all we can do is pray and let God take care of the rest... Edited April 23, 2013 by dominicansoul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigJon16 Posted April 23, 2013 Share Posted April 23, 2013 I think that's the point. We as humans can only do so much. In the end it is up to Gods grace and people's willingness to receive it. And sometimes we just have to get out of the way.. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CatherineM Posted April 23, 2013 Share Posted April 23, 2013 I get sad that I'm the only grandchild who is still a practicing Catholic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vee Posted April 23, 2013 Share Posted April 23, 2013 Its like the parable of the sower, we do what we can but people's hearts are at different stages. As we read the bible we see taht even when Jesus Himself stood and preached to people they didnt all instantly convert, so if people werent converted even when Jesus Himself was talking directly to them who are we as mere mortal sinners? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DiscerningCatholic Posted April 23, 2013 Share Posted April 23, 2013 I get more sad when I think that so many Catholics aren't actually Catholic. More Catholics to Catholicism! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Papist Posted April 23, 2013 Share Posted April 23, 2013 I try to make how I live out my Catholic faith my evangelization. And I pray for opportunities to have conversations with others and pray that the Holy Spirit guides my words. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Allie Posted April 23, 2013 Share Posted April 23, 2013 Ever since I read about Mother Teresa of Calcutta's experience of the "Thirst" of the Lord Jesus (which was a grace of understanding for me) I have this sadness that His Love isn't returned by everyone (and not enough by me.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4588686 Posted April 23, 2013 Share Posted April 23, 2013 Sometime I get sad at like movies when a character that I like dies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spem in alium Posted April 23, 2013 Share Posted April 23, 2013 I do get sad when I think that most of my extended family (on my mother's side particularly) no longer practice. I get more sad when I think that so many Catholics aren't actually Catholic. More Catholics to Catholicism! So true. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CatholicsAreKewl Posted April 23, 2013 Share Posted April 23, 2013 "How much do you have to hate somebody to not proselytize? How much do you have to hate somebody to believe that everlasting life is possible and not tell them that? If I believed beyond a shadow of a doubt that a truck was coming at you and you didn't believe it, and that truck was bearing down on you, there's a certain point where I tackle you. And this is more important than that." Penn Jillette (atheist) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PadrePioOfPietrelcino Posted April 24, 2013 Share Posted April 24, 2013 Some of the strongest witness I received was from good strong faithful Catholics who let me be an ignorant *Donkey*. They would give me the truth as I railed against them in a meek humble manner, they would make a simple statement and move on. The level of charity that those people expressed to me is still beyond my comprehension, but it was powerful all the more. They we passionate and kind and expressed their true faith in a way many people in my protestant world just couldn't do. I grew up with brow beating your points with scripture and a good pastor had the "perspiration for inspiration" thing down to the t. My point is that we should always be evangelizing, we should always be praying for conversion of souls, but we can not beat the faith into them. We must show and live our faith, be open to answer questions honestly without being wishy washy and God does the hard part. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quid Est Veritas? Posted April 24, 2013 Share Posted April 24, 2013 Of course it's sad that the whole world isn't Catholic and some people feel this more keenly than others. St. Therese of Lisieux, for example, wished to convert the whole world. Perhaps you have a missionary calling? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gabriela Posted April 24, 2013 Share Posted April 24, 2013 ...that so many people aren't Catholic? I mean really, really sad. The last year it has become something that I think about every day for a long time. I don't think it's healthy, actually, to be as fixated on evangelism as much as I am. It also makes me sad because I know no matter how many prayers I say for the conversion of sinners, no matter how much I try to witness to Christ by example or word, there are always going to be so many people that don't follow Him. Is this just me? Also, if God gives everyone sufficient grace for salvation, then what part do humans have in making converts? It would seem it's between God's grace and the individual's free will. It makes me sad that you're jailbait, because if that's you in that photo, you are BEAUTIFUL. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nihil Obstat Posted April 24, 2013 Share Posted April 24, 2013 Well that was candid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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