Visitation Spirit

Chatting about: Criticism of Religious Practices

by | Jun 26, 2017 | Discernment Sundays - Chat Room, Salesian Spirituality, St. Francis de Sales

Do your friends, family or acquaintances at work criticize your religious practices? How do you handle this?
St. Francis says that such people “have no real regard” for our well being. Why do you think they do this?
What does our saint offer as a benefit for “the endurance of misrepresentation and calumny”?
If you consider that such criticism comes from people with little or no religious faith, can you say like Jesus did, “they know not what they do”?

Jun 25, 4:50 PM

Guest1643 (Guest): Hi Sister Susan ! Have a great Chat tonight ! God Bless You All ! Kairos tonight . Please keep Men in your prayers ! Praise God !!!

 

Jun 25, 7:23 PM

VisitationSiste: Sorry I missed last week- Novena was wonderful!

 

 

Jun 25, 7:31 PM

Dawn (Guest): Lisa, have you been on retreat before?

Jun 25, 7:32 PM

Lisa C: Yes, Dawn

Jun 25, 7:32 PM

Lisa C: Have you

Jun 25, 7:32 PM

Dawn (Guest): no, I haven’t.

Jun 25, 7:33 PM

Dawn (Guest): mother, you sometimes have a busy household I imagine!

VisitationSiste: Shall we start with Q before I get called away again?

Jun 25, 7:36 PM

VisitationSiste: Do your friends, family or acquaintances at work criticize your religious practices? How do you handle thi

Jun 25, 7:36 PM

VisitationSiste: I am not critisized but not followed either, by family for instance

Jun 25, 7:36 PM

Lisa C: Sometimes they do

Jun 25, 7:37 PM

Lisa C: How I handle it is pray for them

Jun 25, 7:38 PM

Dawn (Guest): Today I had this very experience where it was mentioned “I seemed to be so very Catholic, not as they are...“ I laughingly shared what our topic was tonight here, they laughed and it was all in good cheer

Jun 25, 7:38 PM

VisitationSiste: That’s pretty amazing

Jun 25, 7:39 PM

VisitationSiste: I try to share in a natural way

Jun 25, 7:40 PM

Lisa C: Lots of evangelicals think we need to be saved

Jun 25, 7:40 PM

Dawn (Guest): I do not consider myself any way, but I then pointed out to them...do you see all I did was invite either or both of you to visit the parish in the next town. and pretty much we all laughed I think at ourself and each other

Jun 25, 7:40 PM

VisitationSiste: I am always hoping and praying for conversion and evangelical strength

Jun 25, 7:41 PM

Lisa C: I mean they do not think Catholics are good

Jun 25, 7:41 PM

VisitationSiste: In what way?

Jun 25, 7:41 PM

Dawn (Guest): these women are Catholic whom I speak of!

Jun 25, 7:41 PM

Lisa C: A lot of Protestants esp Evangelicals think that we are full of errors

Jun 25, 7:42 PM

Lisa C: We have the fullness of the Church according to St. JP

Jun 25, 7:42 PM

Lisa C: They have only part

Jun 25, 7:44 PM

VisitationSiste: St. Francis says that such people “have no real regard” for our well being. Why do you think they do this?

Jun 25, 7:44 PM

Lisa C: I think they do not understand what we have with God

Jun 25, 7:44 PM

VisitationSiste: Anyone who does not give freedom to the other for a good thing might be considered non tolerant but if they don’t think Catholicism is a good thing,, well

Jun 25, 7:45 PM

Dawn (Guest): I agree , there are many more ....I have witnessed anger expressed toward the Church. I believe it is lack of knowledge and really studying what the Church teaches...

Jun 25, 7:45 PM

Lisa C: http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_20000806_dominus-iesus_en.html

Jun 25, 7:45 PM

Lisa C: Dominus Iesus

Jun 25, 7:45 PM

VisitationSiste: Yes thank you!

Jun 25, 7:46 PM

Dawn (Guest): thank you...

Jun 25, 7:46 PM

Lisa C: Encyclical of Pope JP II talks about the Church saving people of other faiths by working with Jesus

Jun 25, 7:46 PM

VisitationSiste: It is so hard sometimes to love the Lord and not have others also respond to that love

Jun 25, 7:47 PM

Dawn (Guest): so, what does one do if you are not really an apologist type? I think I just pray and have faith that the Holy Spirit will speak thru all of it

Jun 25, 7:47 PM

Lisa C: I think when people do not understand that God knows what He is doing and will save them so I just pray

Jun 25, 7:48 PM

Lisa C: I mean God’s plan is bigger than their understanding or lack of it

Jun 25, 7:48 PM

Dawn (Guest): some of my neighbors are very faithful love Jesus, but part of their teaching has been to not trust the Catholic church

Jun 25, 7:48 PM

Lisa C: The Church has a role in saving people of other faiths according to the encyclical

Jun 25, 7:48 PM

Lisa C: Catholic Church I mean

Jun 25, 7:49 PM

VisitationSiste: Hi jennifer Are you inthe plane yet

Jun 25, 7:49 PM

VisitationSiste: The nuuns still are not here but they called we are waiting

Jun 25, 7:49 PM

Jennifer Koo: No. Still waiting. I am freezing

Jun 25, 7:50 PM

Dawn (Guest): in those instances, I stay focused on what we do have in common, and I do not get in dispute. but people observe....and these see regular going to Mass offered here, and always I put on activity board for Mass... All are welcome!

Jun 25, 7:50 PM

Jennifer Koo: Yes I didn’t see them

Jun 25, 7:50 PM

VisitationSiste: aor conditioning

Jun 25, 7:51 PM

Jennifer Koo: So use to without aircon. The temperature is too low

Jun 25, 7:52 PM

Jennifer Koo: I didn’t wear enough.

Jun 25, 7:52 PM

VisitationSiste: What do you think of this topic Jennifer lack of support

Jun 25, 7:52 PM

Dawn (Guest): Hi Jennifer...sorry you are freezing!

Jun 25, 7:52 PM

VisitationSiste: BRB

Jun 25, 7:52 PM

Jennifer Koo: Freezing summer

Jun 25, 7:53 PM

Jennifer Koo: Lack of support? I am still trying to catch up with your discussions

Jun 25, 7:54 PM

Dawn (Guest): on this topic, I draw direction also from Pope Francis. read interesting article concerning his being a Jesuit and how many people do not understand Jesuits, but it was helpful to read this!

Jun 25, 7:55 PM

Lisa C: What did it say

Jun 25, 7:55 PM

Jennifer Koo: Are you at question 1?

Jun 25, 7:56 PM

VisitationSiste: 2

Jun 25, 7:56 PM

VisitationSiste: almost to 3 sand 4 What does our saint offer as a benefit for “the endurance of misrepresentation and calumny”?
If you consider that such criticism comes from people with little or no religious faith, can you say like Jesus did, “they know not what they do”?PM

Jun 25, 7:56 PM

Dawn (Guest): https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2013/09/30/big-heart-open-god-interview-pope-francis

Jun 25, 7:57 PM

VisitationSiste: I think an ope heart is a loving heart

Jun 25, 7:59 PM

Jennifer Koo: I agreed, they know not what they do. If only by GOD’S grace they encounter HIM, then they will no longer be the same.

Jun 25, 8:00 PM

Dawn (Guest): answer...I could say this, they know not what they do. Jesus said this, but He knew their hearts and could rightly say that. I do not believe I am called to decide who is worthy or not, who is lost or not, but I try to do his will and do the things Im asked, as I understand them, the one thing I believe now is....we need peace and reconciliation! and Jesus is Lord!

Jun 25, 8:00 PM

Jennifer Koo: So it’s our duty to make Jesus known and loved.

Jun 25, 8:01 PM

Lisa C: I think about having the blessing of the family I have and the schools they sent me to, what if that did not happen? Other people did not have these blessings. I did not do anything to get them. God must have a plan for the people who never had this growing up. God is not unfair. He will bring them to Him some other way.

Jun 25, 8:02 PM

Lisa C: Maybe I have these blessings to pray them into heaven

Jun 25, 8:03 PM

Jennifer Koo: That’s grace, receiving sth that we are unworthy to.

Jun 25, 8:03 PM

Dawn (Guest): I am surrounded by many people I love very much, and friends ...I have come to understand the best way to preach the Gospel is to learn and live it, pray very much for them, and always remember it is God who touches souls. I can not do this. I do see after some time, some are waking, questioning...and I thank the Lord very much and keep praying

Jun 25, 8:04 PM

Lisa C: People who do not know God need more prayers....Jesus did not abandon the lost sheep....He found it and was very glad when He did

Jun 25, 8:04 PM

VisitationSiste: If only the gift of faith was received by more and esp those we love

Jun 25, 8:04 PM

Jennifer Koo: I hope they didn’t lost their way. Are they driving?

Jun 25, 8:05 PM

Dawn (Guest): I think so Lisa! because there are so many ways souls are drawn. but such a blessing when you were raised this

Jun 25, 8:05 PM

Jennifer Koo: We need to pray more

Jun 25, 8:06 PM

Dawn (Guest): my daily prayer, Sister

Jun 25, 8:08 PM

Dawn (Guest): Pray unceasingly

Jun 25, 8:09 PM

Jennifer Koo: Let’s pray for one another

Jun 25, 8:13 PM

Lisa C: God’s will has to be done....consider 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

Jun 25, 8:13 PM

Dawn (Guest): this chapter is very insightful , true! and helpful direction

Jun 25, 8:15 PM

Jennifer Koo: HIS love for us is greater than we can imagine

Jun 25, 8:17 PM

Dawn (Guest): I know I must ponder this all more deeply, for I do not know how to answer all questions and they seem to be coming at quicker pace ( from loved ones) Ive even asked myself....who is influencing these questions they have.....who could answer them. so I suggest they get a Catholic bible and read it, or the CC.

Jun 25, 8:19 PM

Dawn (Guest): such as “ why is God jealous?“ I respond God is love. they reply...but it says he is jealous (OT) I reply...perhaps read the Gospel of John first, then the rest will be more clear.

Jun 25, 8:21 PM

Dawn (Guest): as Padre Pio says...Pray Hope and Do Not Worry

Jun 25, 8:24 PM

Dawn (Guest): “whatever we do, the world will find fault....“

Jun 25, 8:25 PM

Lisa C: In order to attract us, the Lord grants us many graces that we believe can easily obtain Heaven for us. We do not know, however, that in order to grow, we need hard bread: the cross, humiliation, trials and denials. – St. Pio of Pietrelcina

Jun 25, 8:25 PM

Lisa C: The world will not understand us, but it is part of our salvation

Jun 25, 8:27 PM

Lisa C: Between the heathen world and the threefold God there is only one link, and that is the Cross of Christ. Yet when we move into this no-man’s land and try afresh to twitch the threads that link the heathen world and the threefold God, should we still be surprised that we can only do it in the Cross of Christ? We must make ourselves resemble this Cross, bear it within ourselves, “always carrying in the body the death of Jesus”, as St. Paul says of the preacher of the faith (2 Corinthians 4:10). This feeling o

Jun 25, 8:27 PM

Dawn (Guest): thank you for these words, encouragement

Jun 25, 8:27 PM

Lisa C: This feeling of being torn asunder, which is a cross to us, this inability of our heart to carry within itself simultaneously love of the most holy Trinity and love of a world alienated from the Trinity, is precisely the death agony of the only begotten Son, an agony he calls on us to share. He who bore this division within himself in order to abolish it within himself, and who could only abolish it because he had previously borne it within himself-––he reaches from one end to the other. Without leaving the

Jun 25, 8:28 PM

Lisa C: Without leaving the bosom of the Trinity, he stretches out to the ultimate limit of human misery and fills the whole space in between. This stretching out of Christ, symbolized by the four directions of the Cross, is the mysterious expression of our own dismemberment and makes us like him. – Fr. Jean Daniélou, S.J.

Jun 25, 8:32 PM

Dawn (Guest): and this...is bearing our cross. this touches what needed to be

Jun 25, 8:33 PM

Dawn (Guest): touched... interiorly

Jun 25, 8:36 PM

Dawn (Guest): sometimes, like now Lisa, I will hear a homily or someone say something and I have this thought it is being said just to me. but it was explained this is the Holy Spirit speaking , and in that way it becomes personal to us.

Jun 25, 8:37 PM

Lisa C: Yes, it is being said to you, because you are listening

Jun 25, 8:38 PM

Lisa C: God speaks to each of us directly

Jun 25, 8:41 PM

Lisa C: God bless all

Jun 25, 8:42 PM

Dawn (Guest): Peace be with us all.....Thank you, everyone, my prayers and goodnight

Jun 25, 9:07 PM

Dawn (Guest): And prayers for the retreatants, for a safe arrival and a fruitful retreat. God bless you all