This is a good point, in that you don't often run into people bringing God into their everyday conversation. My husband and I mention God often, and honestly, people are drawn to it like a moth to a candle... We've had people approach us asking how to convert to Catholicism, or just questions about God or Faith, just out of the blue. People are hungry for God, and it often takes very little to start a spark in their soul, or grow it. So I think there are two things to take from that: we need to talk about God naturally every day, and people may be much more inclined toward God's mercy than we think. Perhaps they just don't have anyone in their life saying anything about God!
It is a great blessing to have people approach you directly like this. A very great blessing. I have only very,very rarely had anything like that. But on the internet it does happen now and again. St James has something wonderful to say about these things: James 5:20 Restoring a Sinner 19My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, 20consider this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and cover over a multitude of sins. But imagine being like say, Mother Angelica or Fulton Sheen or Billy Graham who each brought literally millions to the feet of Christ; what must that have been like?
Oh yes, can you imagine their joy in Heaven, seeing and meeting all the souls they helped save? I think that people who suffer a lot and quietly offer it to God probably save way more souls than they think, too, and will have the same kind of experience when they enter Heaven. As for people approaching me and my husband, it's always seemed to happen to the same extent as our prayer life... As in, the more time we spend with Christ, the more we're in love and connection with Him, and the more He's on our minds and naturally spills out into our conversations. Not to try to convince or convert anyone, but just because He's on our minds. I think that's what people are drawn to and notice. My next door neighbor is a non-denominational Christian and is like that too. She'll be talking about house -hunting or something and just casually mention how God is being so kind to help them in the process. It's a joy to hear that, because it's rare these days. But it really does prick people's ears up. I think it gives them some hope...that maybe God might be near them too and help if they ask. I think the other thing is people really notice when you're just...different, and not of the world. When you're wearing religious medals, never use foul language, smile and are kind to others, and just have a different point of view in conversations than others are used to. My husband, for instance, says the other men at work stop their crude jokes when they come around him, and when they complain about their wives and start to mention divorce, he always puts in a good word for their marriage and encourages the man to step up in certain ways. But he does it so lightly and in a spirit of comraderie that they aren't offended and actually take it to heart. Then they want to hear more of his advice! This shouldn't be outside the norm, but our culture has so much backwards that people don't get to hear true Godly encouragement and the fruitful conversations that come from a real loving, trusting, daily relationship with God. We've got to let people hear it!
I am afraid at work the only thing I have noticed in veiled or outright hostility when the subject of God crops up. I have come to expect it.
I said something in the beauty shop yesterday about God healing one of my ills, my pain was lessened , and someone said something to the effect of “why bring God into this?” I was shocked.
I work at night times with a very, very nice young gentleman called Damien. He is an Apostate Catholic who has given up the Faith but is a good family guy and lives in many ways a very admirable life. We pretty well get on like a house on fire. He guessed I fought in the war here and that makes me a hero to him so that helps a lot. I have long had the prayerful feeling that God is going to call him home soon to the Judgement Seat so I try to make and effort with him to throw God into the equation while there is yet time. But yes there is considerable hostility there, even though he likes and respects me a lot. Why should that be? Well I think dumping his faith gives him great freedom in how he lives his life. I would never, ever argue with someone for the sake of arguing. As scripture informs us: 'Do not throw your pearls before swine'. ..and again. ' if you go into one city and they reject you cast the dust off your feet and go on to another town.' Hell is full ot the brim with very nice, laid back, family guys.
She saw my face, which was shocked, and she lamely said, "okay, let's bring God into it." I just smiled and changed the subject.
Excuse my ignorance, but is our lady of Good success and our lady of perpetual help - the same? Well I mean I know they are both Mary but I’ve always been attracted to the statue/icon of our lady of perpetual help. Would love if someone enlightenment me. Thanks!
Not the same. Our Lady of Perpetual Help belongs to the Redemptorist order in its origins. Our Lady of Good Success has its origins in Quito, Ecuador.
Well I'm glad it ended ok, but man, what a thing for her to say! Hopefully she thought more about it later.
Our Lady of Good Success goes even further back than Ecuador....originating in Spain! Sister Mariana actually already had a devotion to Mary under that title when she left Spain as a girl. It had miraculous origins there in Spain, with her statue found in a cave and a church built in her honor. The apparitions to Mariana in Quito are what most people are learning of now, though, with the amazing prophecies for Ecuador and the world in our times.
And when she left Spain at age 13 Jesus told her she would never see her native land again and she would lead a life of seclusion and suffering until she died! Amazing! She gladly accepted all that. Our Lord doesn’t mince words!
Here’s a very good interview of Dr Horvat, probably the #1 expert on these apparitions. Among the many astounding prophecies she relates is one that “the corruption of the clergy in the church would begin from the very top” (go to 12:00). Dr Horvat calls this Our Lady’s “insurance policy”, issued 300 years ago, because she knew that the third secret of Fatima would not be disclosed in 1960!!! (I think the second “insurance policy “ was Akita).
Yes this is exactly it. Thanks! If the Medjugorje seers understood and conveyed Our Lady’s words accurately I think that settles it. Saints and theologians can be wrong. The Mother of God is never wrong.
