Sojourner Posted November 8, 2004 Share Posted November 8, 2004 OK, as many of you know, my journey into the Catholic Church started with some conversations with Protestant friends of mine who were also thinking about Catholic theology. For several months, they and I read about and discussed many aspects of Catholic theology. When it came down to it, they decided they couldn't break communion with friends and family by becoming Catholic, and so they did not ultimately join the church. All along the way, they had encouraged me in becoming Catholic, but six weeks before I was received into the Church, they told me they could no longer support me in my journey, and refused to attend any of the rites I went through in the weeks leading up to Easter and at Easter. As you may imagine, this was very difficult ... friends I had considered very close and who had been quite supportive suddenly pulled out, telling me that they seriously felt that by becoming Catholic I was moving away from the "truth of the Gospel". Although we are still at a point where we can speak to one another, the friendship has never been the same since, and the depth of friendship we once shared is now gone. I still see them from time to time, but I just can't bring myself to re-engage at the same level. Now, they recently had a baby, and they are going to baptize her in a couple of weeks, and have asked me to attend the service. At first blush, I thought I might go. I still have many friends in that church and would enjoy the time ... but the more I think about it, the less I want to go. I'm know I could come up with a number of legitimate reasons not to go, but the real reason I don't want to go is that I am still hurt by the way they treated me with regard to my reception into the church. I am really torn here, so any advice would be appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
homeschoolmom Posted November 8, 2004 Share Posted November 8, 2004 I think if your reason for not going is because you are still hurt, you need to smell of elderberries it up and go. Healing in these kinds of situation can only happen when one party can be the "bigger person" and not continue to hurt the other party. They will see you moving a step closer and perhaps move a step closer themselves. Your not going (for whatever reason) will be seen as another huge step away... Not going could put the final nail in the coffin... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sojourner Posted November 8, 2004 Author Share Posted November 8, 2004 Yeah, the more I started thinking about it, the more I realized I just want to get revenge. I think I'll go, and maybe we can keep moving toward repair of the friendship. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marielapin Posted November 8, 2004 Share Posted November 8, 2004 [quote name='homeschoolmom' date='Nov 8 2004, 12:38 PM'] I think if your reason for not going is because you are still hurt, you need to smell of elderberries it up and go. Healing in these kinds of situation can only happen when one party can be the "bigger person" and not continue to hurt the other party. They will see you moving a step closer and perhaps move a step closer themselves. Your not going (for whatever reason) will be seen as another huge step away... Not going could put the final nail in the coffin... [/quote] hsmom is right. In going, you would be making an effort to repair your friendship. It might even open the deep communication lines again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PedroX Posted November 10, 2004 Share Posted November 10, 2004 We must always seek reconciliation. We don't have to repeatedly allow ourselves to be abused, but we must always find ways to leave the door open. Have a great time at the baptism. Wish I could be there. peace... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sojourner Posted November 10, 2004 Author Share Posted November 10, 2004 Thanks for your thoughts, everyone. I decided to go (it's on Sunday in a couple of weeks). I think it will be good. We shall see. Pedro, I'm sure they wish you could be there too. Hope everything is going well with you ... I haven't heard from you in a while, (although I heard through the grapevine that you were in Indy recently). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
homeschoolmom Posted November 10, 2004 Share Posted November 10, 2004 [quote name='Sojourner' date='Nov 10 2004, 11:59 AM'] Pedro, I'm sure they wish you could be there too. Hope everything is going well with you ... I haven't heard from you in a while, (although I heard through the grapevine that you were in Indy recently). [/quote] Hey, me either.... And if I [i]ever[/i] catch a rumor that you're in Minneapolis without telling me... you're in for it, boy!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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