Luke 23:33-35 33 When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. 34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. 35 The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.” Acts 7:54-60 54 When the members of the Sanhedrin heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. 55 But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56 “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” 57 At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, 58 dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep. Regarding the example of Christ's and Saint Stephen's supplications for their executioners at the time of their deaths, can we conclude that by following the example of the saints' lives, we can implore God not to hold some of the sins committed against us by the wicked, or does this merely represent the Christian duty to love and forgive our enemies?
I have family members who have distanced themselves from the faith and resist a strong Catholic apologetics based on true tradition. This often puts me in a painful dilemma because I know that to whom much is given, much will be required, but I also know that as invincible ignorance fades before the light of true doctrine, our individual responsibility for the salvation of our own soul increases. Many times I wonder if I can pray the same prayer that Christ made for His executioners, asking that God's wrath be temporarily lifted from these family members of mine who still resist the full truth.
That would be scary to pray that way, because we are not Christ. What price would we have to pay? I’m really uncomfortable with the potential.
This post has been moving around in my being for a while now. I can tell you that when it comes to conversion of family it is the hardest. But even if they are not family, I find apologetics do not work when it comes to conversion. People typically butt heads and in families they can cause irreparable rifts if constantly forced. What I do find works, is that people need to see the light of Christ in you. This is irresistible because it is what everyone craves. Once they see this in you, they will come in droves because they want this Light. You will also typically have a good experiential understanding of scripture and tradition when God is manifesting strongly in you, because your nature has become Christ like. They will also be inspired by the miracles that are happening in your life as well as how you handle crosses. Try not to control the process and leave space for God to work in your family. Some will never convert, some will though. One of the biggest things I find helps when it comes to conversion is just listening to them and simply being with them. In this space, if you can, genuinely accept them lovingly for who they are warts and all. It becomes a mysterious interaction, and it gives insight into how God loves us regardless of our failings. It can deepen the relationship we have with God, because we are surrendered to the cross of our family members being seemingly far off. It is in this space that they are being fed by your presence. You can still talk about God, but in a way that renews them. In a way that builds relationship and allows it to bud and bear fruit. I hope this makes sense.
I have friends and family who are atheist, one of which plans to become Catholic so I'm guessing offering my prayers and little sufferings are working. Yes there are people who I must avoid for my own health. I have more problems with fallen away Catholics. Yes I get laughed at. But it's OK. All for Jesus
Ever notice how you start to feel like a child again when the Word takes hold, how everything has that freshness to it? Even if it is not fully there, but still in a partial manner.
Mark 10:13-15 People were bringing little children to him in order that he might touch them; and the disciples spoke sternly to them. But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.”
I genuinely wonder if it's cognitively possible to be an atheist, or if all atheists are doing a kind of somatization of internal moral\spiritual struggle or problems. if man is created by God..isn't God "embedded in" man? for me an atheist human is like an "aflightist" bird. Or maybe the idea of rejecting a specific definition -God- implies of course, the brain can logically conjure that definition..but how can a non-perfect causal agent "know" what Perfection even is? Im probably remembering arguments a theologian said, can't put it together very well
I think the knowledge of God is embedded in all of us. I remember Solzinitsyn's wife talking of what it was to be raised in a totally atheist society with no knowledge of God and yet her spirit yearned for truth. And this longing for truth brought her to Christ. Jesus spoke powerfully when he said "he who is of the truth hears my voice" The question is why do so many try to repress it? Beat it down. Attempt to destroy it? The mystery of iniquity.
This is similar to my experience of being raised in a mostly atheist home. I also yearned for the truth from a very young age, as far back as I can remember. It led me to God as well.
