"Peter...do You Love Me?" (John 21)... Then Give God A Chance

12/18/2014

This was a comment left by a woman at my blog, www.letitallstarthere.com in response to my post, Being Catholic is Eternal: “On entering, (a Church), all the rituals (the holy water, the genuflecting) immediately return and I can hear the stories of my grandmothers about saints and the hand of God gracing their lives in moments of tragedy or even an ordinary bad day.”

Sharon’s response made one thing clear to me. There is a question that all Catholics committed to following the call of The New Evangelization must attempt to answer:

How do we get people to trust us? How do we get them not to be afraid, so that we might invite them to experience the magical feeling, the beauty, the comfort and the peace that comes after having given Christ and His Church a chance?

How funny people can be! Think about the last time you were very lost on a car ride (Men are less likely to relate to this example…but just go with it). Most people would think nothing of stopping and asking a perfect stranger to direct them into their future. I mean, the trust element is huge! And I choose these words intentionally: “direct them into their future.” That is what really happens when you are lost and ask for directions. For that moment, if you think about it, you don’t know what lies ahead and you still ask a stranger to guide you. You trust him.

I can’t stop myself from wondering why it is so difficult for three of my dearest, most devoted friends, (who are “fallen away Catholics” or atheist)…why is it so hard for them to trust in me and open their hearts to my sharing The Joy of The Gospel? Am I too childlike? Am I not sophisticated enough? Am I not as intelligent as I need to be to convince them of something different than what they think they know? Is my life experience so much different than theirs that I’m disqualified? Am I so much different than they are? Why must they say these words in the middle of a dialogue, with a smirk and with a tone of condescension: “Good. I am glad it works for you?”
END OF CONVERSATION.

Once, I had an idea about a documentary I wanted to make to celebrate our altar boys who once served the Catholic Church. I saw a connection between the influence of Christ’s teachings, the Church’s guidance and the lives of service many of these men went on to live. My film would have been called: It All Starts Here. When I shared my idea with a friend of mine, she, in adversarial way, questioned me: “Why do you care if a person believes in God or not? What’s it to you?”

My answer was quick and certain: “It’s just the type of person I am. If I have found something that is helpful or works for me, I want share it. The world is a hard place to navigate. Everyone is looking for solutions to their problems. If I lost 40lbs and kept it off, I would share my secret. If I survived my child’s drug addiction and remained loving, healthy and sane…I’d share how I manage to do so. If I found the “fountain of youth”, I would probably tell a few people where it was. Why wouldn’t I tell everyone I meet about Christ at work in my life?”

I guess with today’s post I want to ask my friends and my daughter, whom I love: Won’t you trust in me at least as much as you might the stranger you’ve asked for directions when you were lost? It would mean a lot to me. Thanks.

24 Comments

jackie white

12/18/2014 07:24:22 am

Yes, I do love you, Lord.

I love Jesus Christ and I am constantly sharing that love with others in my faith community, the hospital and in the nursing home and with my 'new age' friend and then the one who does not know what she believes. Both of these women were Catholics. They do admit it was by name only.

If we not only talk the talk but walk the walk, people tend to trust us. That is how I ask Christ to help me in spreading the good news. I ask Him to let His light shine through me. A Jewish friend said this to me last week at a restaurant. When you speak of your ministries you glow. We had not seen each other for many years and were not sure how we would find each other. I told him I had stuffed animals in my car window and he could look for a red car with the dogs. When he came in he said, why didn't you tell me to look on the back of your car and find the sign that said 'Let us keep Christ in Christmas..Remember he is of the Jewish tradition.

I love what Teilhard de Chardin said, "Joy is the infallible sign of the presence of God." God's presence is everywhere. Follow the joy.

Hope your friends and mine will start trusting us more so we can share with them the most important treasure we have, our faith in Christ and in His church.

Evelyn, you sound like you share so much with people. In God's time they will respond to the love you have for Christ and your willingness to share that as well as everything else. Trust is earned and I guess we must pray about that.

Thanks for taken on this mega task to help all of us evangelize.

valerie

12/19/2014 11:57:44 am

You are right. I heard a minister on a talk show speaking of raising children years ago. He said this quote..".My parents did not tell me how to live, they lived their lives and let me watch." I was working with new mom's at the time and when went they went home, I always put that quote in their farewell card.
I did not think of that quote until you talked of letting your light shine in the work you do. It is true if you are living a Christ like life, you will just radiate it and then people will want to know what you are doing to be so at peace! Thanks!

Valerie

12/19/2014 11:51:56 am

Someone from church just sent me this blog and although I don't have time to really respond b/c of the Christmas holidays. I wanted to say how much of what you said resonated with me. I love the analogy of being lost while traveling! I have been finding my faith again..although being a cradle Catholic I am amazed at how much I did not know and how much I need to learn. Also how my Catholic family(most now fallen away ) and friends, you went to Catholic school why do you think you need to do this ?? I am trying to find ways myself to "start the conversation." in a way to get them to ask me questions. So I think this blog will be good to brainstorm , how to reach out and touch people in a kind loving way that does not turn them off. I have done some work with the Dvd's and books of Fr. Barron and Gaitley and I feel so inspired by them both. Thanks for doing this.

evelyn

12/19/2014 10:19:31 pm

Valerie...thank you for sharing your thoughts with us
and for saying you find the blog helpful! Few people respond and I was thinking I might not be doing this right. You were God's messenger this morning. KEEP READING...KEEP SHARING. Evelyn

valerie

12/19/2014 11:56:44 pm

I think that it takes time for a blog to catch on. I am in a women's group at my church. We have met to read a book and come together to discuss it. After the holidays I will send this out to them. I don't have everyone's email now. I did get your blog from the prayer list I belong to and if she sent it to me yesterday I am sure she sent it to the other 100!! I am not the best on the computer so if you get a notice that I xld pls re-instate me . I tried to respond to your email on the click here on your reply to me and then found out it was unsubscribe.opps I deleted it. I hope it did not go through! I think this is a great idea . I already had some insight on something , so I think by sharing ideas is how we will learn the way ! Merry Christmas!

evelyn link

12/20/2014 12:44:26 am

I have also included in a sidebar of titles, just samples of great books to read about our faith which are available at our lending library at Sacred Heart Parish. One book that helped me greatly was Matthew Kelly's, The Four Signs of a Dynamic Catholic. We hosted a book supper around this book. It was great! Now get back to your Christmas preparations! More later. E

evelyn

12/27/2014 05:22:05 am

Stephanie...I am happy to have you here. Stors things up a bit. But...and I will verif this...the practice of yoga for health benefits and meditation is not a sin. I'm off to Mass. Thanks

jackie white

12/27/2014 05:33:46 am

Evelyn,

I am so glad you stepped in on that one. Stephanie, where did you get all that information?

evelyn

12/27/2014 07:51:00 am

Glad you are watching Jackie! Did you read Fr. Michael's Christmas homily? I posted it as soon as I could. Share it with everyone you know through www.letitallstarthere.com. We need the foot traffic. And folks really need the details of the God-man we know is Jesus Christ. Sooo many are misinformed Merry Christmas to you!

jackie white

12/27/2014 08:18:04 am

Yes, Evelyn, I did read the Christmas homily today. It the greatest. I will send it to the person in charge of our prayer line. She has the e-mail addresses of many of our parishioners. Many read his homilies weekly when he posts them during the week after his delivery. I will encourage them to go to your blog to read it there. That way they can share what is in their heart to share. I want to give it more than one read before I comment.

evelyn

12/27/2014 07:56:51 am

Stephanie: I am glad you are participating in the blog but I would prefer you took a kinder, gentiler approach when disagreeing. You have a great deal of knowledge to share here. We want a open loving dialogue among people who are striving to have a hearts like Jesus.

valerie

12/29/2014 06:11:55 am

Hi I just got home and there is a lot to read so I wanted to take the time and get my thoughts together before I respond. I also wanted to make sue that I have not deleted myself again .I think I might have . I am so happy that we are starting the conversation on the very important subject of evangelization.

evelyn

12/29/2014 07:46:21 am

No Valerie...you are still with us. I had a guest blogger. I post our Pastor's Christmas Homily. I will be posting again at the end of the week. Enjoy!

valerie

12/29/2014 09:03:55 am

thank you!

valerie

1/7/2015 08:43:42 am

HI..I just wanted to say that there is a book by Fr. Mitch Paqua( I think that is the spelling of his last name) He is on EWTN and has a book about New Age etc. I just received it in the mail so I am not going to comment on any of these replies till I read it. I am reading the Romance of Religion, I got it for Christmas .It is a very good book as well. I saw him talking about the book on Women of Grace and then I will read Fr. Mitch's book. Stay warm it is freezing out!!

evelyn

1/7/2015 10:27:26 am

Hello Valerie. Good that you are back. Great title...The Romance of Religion. Perhaps you can write a review for www.letitallstarthere.com. I look forward to hearing from you soon. Thanks for checking in.

valerie

1/9/2015 12:22:07 am

Evelyn,

I will do that when I finish it. Does anyone know of a Catholic retreat house. That is driving distance fro the Saratoga Springs.Thanks. Valerie

jackie white

1/9/2015 01:42:43 am

Valerie,
Yes, there is a Catholic retreat house near Saratoga Springs at least not more than a half hour away. It is in Niskayuna and it is called the Dominican Retreat House and Conference Center. They have guided and directed retreats and others as well. There is one on Centering prayer in February. It is for 5 days and a silent one. I plan on going to that one. I have made many different types there. If you want more information, my e-mail address is [email protected]. Hope to connect with you.

evelyn

1/9/2015 02:23:18 am

Great Jackie! Thanks for getting that information out to us. I have another idea about a retreat house but I need to check details. It is run by nuns and is a real woodland setting. Basically its God, nature and you. More later. And be sure to read along at www.letitallstarthere.com tonight or tomorrow. I will be posting on First Friday Holy Hour. Cheers...

Stephanie Zito

1/10/2015 09:15:47 am

Comment deleted

Stephanie Zito

1/11/2015 07:01:10 am

To be evangelizing, one needs to be fully armed with the Word of God and believe ALL of the Word of God and to understand it, and accept the Catholic Church's teaching. Evangelizing should be a "calling" from God and from God only based on long prayer alone with God seeking for His will. The answer to prayer does not always come in our time and most of the time the answer does not come for a very long time because God will test us. God will wait for us to live our lives in direct alignment to what His Word says and His will is.

Evangelizing is a ministry and if one cannot give up their "old" ways and put on the "new man", which is the new man that comes from a personal relationship with Jesus Christ according to Scripture that we are to be born again in the Spirit, then they should not evangelize. There will be all kinds of tests that God will put us through when we pray for His guidance and His will in our lives. God will put other people into our lives who will be a test of faith and how we respond to circumstances. The evangelizer needs to practice what they preach. I think that if those who evangelize don't accept the Catholic Church's teaching and the Word of God that yoga is not of God , they have no business evangelizing to anyone. They have to realize that evangelizing means they need to live out the Word of God and be prepared to answer questions and to face the challenges that go into evangelizing.

Many times one can evangelize to the same group of people and get no where which is usually because of the "hardness of hearts" that so many have. The hardened heart prevents one from accepting the truth from anyone, including from the Pope, and God's Word. If the evangelizer wavers in their Faith in God and does not have Faith in God's Word, and does not have Faith in the Catholic Church's teaching then they will not be able to successfully evangelize to anyone.

If that evangelizer does not have a deep mature understanding of God's Word then they will not be helpful to anyone. They need to know how to help themselves first. They need to be their own "physician" to heal their mind through deep prayer and reliance in God's Word. If one cannot help themself first then they cannot help another.

With Easter coming in a few months it is even more necessary for the evangelizer to be well grounded in the Word of God so that they fully understand all that Jesus did for us and His entire ministry while on this earth. This means that the evangelizer needs to believe they have to be "born again" in the Spirit. This is not an understanding that apply to only non Catholics, this is an understanding that applies to Catholics just as well. If one knows what the Word of God says and believes it, they will have a discerning spirit to know when they hear the truth. If one has a hardened heart and cannot see the "light" that comes from the hearts and minds of those who do understand the Word of God, then they need to pray to Jesus and ask for guidance and ask to be filled with the Holy Spirit.

These are not "new" concepts to accept because all of this that I have been saying comes from my understanding and acceptance of God's Word. I do not "interpret" God's Word. I take God's Word very literally which makes very clear to me exactly what God expects from me and everyone. God calls all of us to Him and He calls us to believe and accept Him and All that He says. The quickest way to know what is not of God and to understand what sin is and that yoga , zen, etc. other spirits are not of God is when you know what the Scripture says about it. If you believe in, and love God with all your heart it will be easy to accept His Word and know that even yoga is a false God and not God's will for any reason. I know this because I know God's Word and I believe it.

"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life., and only a few find it. Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Ever tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. Nor everyone who says to me Lord Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord Lord did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles? Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!" The words of Christ Jesus Matt: 7:13-23

valerie

1/11/2015 09:26:36 am

Thanks for the info on the retreat houses.I live 1 mile from Stillpoint and have been there often for classes. I go to a dream workshop once a month with SR. Carol Davis at the Dominican retreat house. I was going to comment a little more but after all the letters above , I think I will wait. I almost done with the book and when I have time I will sit down and give a synopsis. Thanks, Valerie

Stephanie Zito

1/13/2015 02:49:08 am

1/10/2015 5:15 PM Keep this Evelyn deleted this comment. I put it back in on 1/13/2015
A few days ago POPE FRANCIS said in his homily that the faithful are to avoid all forms of yoga, zen, and thousands other spirituality , and that we are to rely on the Holy Spirit. In case anyone is wondering what the Bible says about "Magic and Divination" You can find it in the Vatican Radio page. It was very interesting to see that several people who posted their comments under the link to the Pope's homily still think it is ok to practice yoga. I know they are wrong but I cannot change other people nor am I interested in forcing others to accept the word of God, the Catechism and what the Pope Says. Personally I will remain focused on the word of God, the Catechism and thankful the Pope knows we are to avoid yoga. I provided the following Bible Scripture and Articles from the Catholic Catechism in the Vatican Radio page under the news of the homily give by Pope Francis without my comments.

In my comment here I am providing the following scripture as well
from the book of Deuteronomy from my Duay Rheims Latin Vulgage Bible. Yoga and zen and other spirituality are all forms of abominations against the Lord and we are not to practice these forms. God spoke to Moses who wrote the word of God in the book of Deuteronomy 18: 9-14

"When thou art come into the land which the Lord they God shall give thee, beware lest thou have a mind to imitate the abominations of those nations. Neither let there be found among you any one that shall expieate his son or daughter making them to pass through the fire: or that consulteth soothsayers, or observeth dreams and omens, neither let there be any wizard, Nor charmer, nor any one that consulteth pythonic spirits, or fortune tellers, or that seeketh the truth from the dead. For the Lord abhorreth all these things, and for these abominations he will destroy them at thy coming. Thou shalt be perfect, and without spot before the Lord thy God. These nations, whose land thou shalt possess, hearken to soothsayers and diviners: but thou art otherwise instructed by the Lord thy God."

NRSV Bible "When you come into the land that the Lord your God is giving you, you must not learn to imitate the abhorrent practices of those nations. No one shall be found among you who makes a son or daughter pass through fire, or who practises divination, or is a soothsayer, or an augur, or a sorcerer, or one who casts spells or who consults ghosts or spirits, or who seeks oracles from the dead. For whoever does these things is abhorrent to the Lord; it is because of such abhorrent practices that the Lord your God is driving them out before you. You must remain completely loyal to the Lord your God. Although these nations that you are about to dispossess do give heed to soothsayers and diviners, as for you, the Lord your God does not permit you to do so."

I take God very seriously and when I want to help someone who is searching for the truth I take it upon myself to be prepared to quote the Bible when necessary even though I speak from the heart and with the word of God instilled in me. People like to know where it says that in the Bible. When evangelizing we have to be armed with the knowledge of the word of God including knowledge and acceptance of what the Catholic Church teaches. The Catholic Catechism is packed with guidance for all Catholics and makes very clear what we are to avoid and what we are to accept. God gives everyone free will and with that free will we are to have discerning spirits and know what is of God and what is not of God. When we are filled with the Holy Spirit we will know the truth and we will accept God's infallible word. The Bible tells us not to practice "Magic and Divination"

From the Catechism Article 1864 "Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. " Mt 12:31; cf. Mk 3:29; Lk 12:10. There are no limits to the mercy of God, but anyone who deliberately refuses to accept his mercy by repenting, rejects the forgiveness of his sins and the salvation offered by the Holy Spirit. Cf. John Paul II,DeV 46. Such hardness of heart can lead to final impenintence and eternal loss."

The Catholic Church explains very clearly why the faithful are to avoid all forms of divination and magic which is a sin against God. "Thou Shalt Have No Other Gods Before Me". When a follower of Jesus Christ chooses yoga, zen or any other form of spirituality other than the word of God they are sinning against God because they are putting yoga , zen and any other form of spirituality not from Sacred Scripture, before God. Therefore they comit sin against God.

From the Roman Catholic Catechism in the Life of Christ: Divination and magic "2115 God can reveal the future to his prophets or to other saints. Still, a sound Christian attitude consists in putting oneself confidently into the hands of Providence for whatever concer

Stephanie Zito

1/13/2015 03:12:32 am

From the Roman Catholic Catechism in the Life of Christ: Divination and magic "2115 God can reveal the future to his prophets or to other saints. Still, a sound Christian attitude consists in putting oneself confidently into the hands of Providence for whatever concerns the future, and giving up all unhealthy curiosity about it. Improvidence, however, can constitute a lack of responsibility".

2116 " All forms of divination are to be rejected; recourse to Satan or demons, conjuring up the dead or other practices falsely supposed to 'unveil' the future. Consulting horoscopes, astrology, palm reading, interpretation of omens and lots, the phenomena of clairvoyance, and recourse to mediums all conceal a desire for power over time, history, and, in the last analysis, other human beings, as well as a wish to conciliate hidden powers. They contradict the honor, respect, and loving fear that we owe to God alone."

2117 "All practices of magic or sorcery, by which one attempts to tame occult powers, so as to place them at one's service and have a supernatural power over others -even if this were for the sake of restoring their health - are gravely contrary to the virture of religion. These practices are even more to be condemned when accompanied by the intentervention of demons. Wearing charms is also reprehensible. Spiritism often implies divination or magical practices; the Church for her part warns the faithful against it. Recourse to so-called traditional cures does not justify either the invocation of evil powers or the exploitation of another's credulity."

Yoga comes from the NEW AGE teachings. Yoga IS CONDEMED by the Church and by the word of God because yoga is a false teachings that invites evil spirits into one's thinking when one refuses to rely on the Holy Spirit in all things including prayer. I have listened to EWTN for years including Fr. Mitch Paqwa who I am confident will also remind Catholics that NEW AGE teachings are NOT based on Biblical teachings and the Catholic Church. POPE FRANCIS told the FAITHFUL NOT to practice YOGA! Pope Francis is right! Pope Francis relies on God’s Word which I took time to put in the previous comment. It one does not want to accept the teachings of the Catholic Church and the Word of God, then that person will have to continue to be lost and not live the life of Christ as God wants us to.

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