tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14168956.post116481590351639554..comments2024-03-25T06:39:42.081-04:00Comments on Bonfire of the Vanities: Ready? (Sunday homily)Fr Martin Foxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01375628123126091747noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14168956.post-1165623622797783992006-12-08T19:20:00.000-05:002006-12-08T19:20:00.000-05:00Fr. Fox:It sounds like what you're saying is that ...Fr. Fox:<BR/><BR/>It sounds like what you're saying is that I have to bear witness, above all, by being a friend and living my Faith. It also sounds like any "witness bearing" I could do beyond that would stem from my own unique personality and gifts and would depend on whether God wanted to use my gifts to that end.<BR/><BR/>That clarifies a lot. I knew I was supposed to bear witness, I just wasn't sure how.<BR/><BR/>God bless you and happy Feast of the Immaculate Conception!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14168956.post-1165618582343904212006-12-08T17:56:00.000-05:002006-12-08T17:56:00.000-05:00Gregaria:Your responsibility is to bear witness; y...Gregaria:<BR/><BR/>Your responsibility is to bear witness; you aren't responsible for how others respond.<BR/><BR/>It seems to me one can do this many ways; what is most effective is a mystery bound up with what makes each of us unique.<BR/><BR/>Being a friend, spending time with people, is an essential prerequisite.<BR/><BR/>Being an authentic Catholic around them makes it far less necessary for you "to be preachy."Fr Martin Foxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01375628123126091747noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14168956.post-1165567291234797502006-12-08T03:41:00.000-05:002006-12-08T03:41:00.000-05:00Quick addition:I also wonder what I should do if I...Quick addition:<BR/><BR/>I also wonder what I should do if I ever try to explain the Faith and the people don't get it. I've learned A LOT about my Faith by studying it intellectually, and it seems like understanding it with one's mind is a prerequisite to actually accepting the Faith and living it. What should I do if the people I talk with don't understand it intellectually? Should I tell stories of people who's lives have changed because of their Faith? Should I encourage them STRONGLY to go to Adoration in the hopes that they'll do it out of curiosity and have a sudden revelation or spiritual experience? I know some of my classmates and friends aren't terribly intellectual, and they could very probably get bored with a lot of theological terms and descriptions. What alternatives are there?<BR/><BR/>Thanks again :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14168956.post-1165566863138871042006-12-08T03:34:00.000-05:002006-12-08T03:34:00.000-05:00Hi Father,I have a question you might be able to a...Hi Father,<BR/><BR/>I have a question you might be able to answer. You spoke of helping people "drift back" to the Church. I don't know about other people, but honestly MOST of the people I work with or go to school with are fallen away Catholics. They range from their 20s to their 50s. My question is, am I bound on pain of sin to help them back to the Church, and if so, how do I do this? Should I become friends with them first so that it doesn't seem like I'm only interested in getting them back into Church, or should I just ask them out of the blue? I kind of avoid talking about my Faith with people because I can get really preachy pretty quickly, which always turns people off, its a sore subject for many... and, I guess I'm also a bit afraid to go public with my Faith. But, on the other hand, I know I know my Faith, so I could explain it to them, and I know they would ultimately be happier if they came back to the Church. Is there a quick answer to this question, or is the answer a little different for different people? <BR/><BR/>Thanks in advance!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14168956.post-1165198580271998372006-12-03T21:16:00.000-05:002006-12-03T21:16:00.000-05:00Thank you father .... a great Advent homily. I'm s...Thank you father .... a great Advent homily. I'm sure I speak for many who never post when I say that your blog is a source of grace for many of us!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com