Sheep amongst the wolves

[Sacha Saint Francis]

Hi there,

Do you guys also feel sometimes, that we are such a tiny minority in this world? I'm feeling so dispondent lately, being surrownded in the work place, on the street, the bus, the media by non-Christians, non-Catholics, people who choose not to live their lives in a way that is pleasing to their maker...

So often, I find people who seem so nice and caring and kind, and I take it for granted that they simply must be Catholic, or at the least, Christian. Or at least someone who is searching for Truth... But then I find out, as I did today, and yesterday, and the day before that, that these people are not interested in serving our God. So many "wolves in sheep's clothing" it seems.... So many people breaking our Father's heart each and every day, refusing to hear His gentle call....

We are so alone in this world.... yes we have the Holy Spirit, but people wise, we are such a minority. There are so few people who love and fear their Creator. We are so different to everyone around us, right down to our very core!

What do you guys do when these feelings threaten to overwhelm you?

 

[Dream]

I know what you mean, it can often be discouraging. All we can do is pray for them.

Just make sure that you don't ever hold a "holier than thou" attitude. Make sure you never look down on non-Christians. They are our brothers and our sisters made in God's image. Pray that they may accept the fullness of God's light.

 

[Sacha Saint Francis]

I know what you mean, it can often be discouraging. All we can do is pray for them.

Just make sure that you don't ever hold a "holier than thou" attitude. Make sure you never look down on non-Christians. They are our brothers and our sisters made in God's image. Pray that they may accept the fullness of God's light.

Thanks Dream. I do pray for them. I pray and pray and pray, and never see any change in anyone ever. Of course I know that not all changes are visible or in our life time. And "my sins are always before me", I know how weak and sinful I am, so I do not judge. I'm just so sad to see everyday how few sheep our Lord has in His flock....
Is it like 1% of the population of earth? Feeling so hopeless.....

 

[Cecilia]

Prayer isn't the only answer. Many people are without Christ because they have never been exposed to His light the way that we have. WITNESS in both words and actions. Speak the Truth to them and if they won't listen, then live the Truth. Sooner or later, they will find it on their own.

 

[Sacha Saint Francis]

Thank you Cecillia.

 

[Wiffey]

Your words and prayers DO have an effect, even when you may not see them. Those seeds you plant may bear fruit years from now! I look back and I thank God for all those relatives, friends and acquaintances who prayed for me even when it seemed hopeless. It may take a while, and you might not even hear about the final results, but prayer is a REAL and potent thing. God bless you!

 

[Sacha Saint Francis]

Your words and prayers DO have an effect, even when you may not see them. Those seeds you plant may bear fruit years from now! I look back and I thank God for all those relatives, friends and acquaintances who prayed for me even when it seemed hopeless. It may take a while, and you might not even hear about the final results, but prayer is a REAL and potent thing. God bless you!

Thank you Wiffey.
God bless you too.
I'm so homesick.... we are truley aliens and strangers in this world. Being Catholic is a lonely life I'm discouvering.

 

[St_Joseph_Cupertino]

Prayer isn't the only answer.

True Cecilia,

However, sometimes we feel just plain alone. It's about fellowship and feeling like you belong. Going to Mass, having Communion, Adoration, all these are wonderful Worshipping acts, and our Lord does sustain us, but on a human level, there is a need for interaction.
To be so very alone in your faith every day is very hard. It's like breathing out all the time and not really getting the oppurtunity to breathe in.
The protestants have Cell Groups....what options are there for Catholics that need this?
Don't you feel like sometime just being able to let your guard down, and now have to be an example for everyone you meet...not having to watch every word you say or every little thing you do? I know it's a great blessing to be able to do this, but I also feel like I need to find a place where I can just speak my Catholic mind without thinking "Oops, how have I offended now!"



Peace in Christ!

 

[PolskiKrol]

Well, considering the fact that 1/7 of all the people in the world are baptised into the catholic church, were not as alone as other religions are. http://www.cathnews.com/news/302/45.php

 

[3toraiseup]

Sacha,

So often, I find people who seem so nice and caring and kind, and I take it for granted that they simply must be Catholic, or at the least, Christian. Or at least someone who is searching for Truth...

All Goodness comes from God. What a wonderful blessing you are gifted with that you see Light in these people.

From the CCC:The Catholic Church recognizes in other religions that search, among shadows and images, for the God who is unknown yet near since he gives life and breath and all things and wants all men to be saved. Thus, the Church considers all goodness and truth found in these religions as "a preparation for the Gospel and given by him who enlightens all men that they may at length have life."332

844 In their religious behavior, however, men also display the limits and errors that disfigure the image of God in them:


Very often, deceived by the Evil One, men have become vain in their reasonings, and have exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and served the creature rather than the Creator. Or else, living and dying in this world without God, they are exposed to ultimate despair.333

845 To reunite all his children, scattered and led astray by sin, the Father willed to call the whole of humanity together into his Son's Church. The Church is the place where humanity must rediscover its unity and salvation. The Church is "the world reconciled." She is that bark which "in the full sail of the Lord's cross, by the breath of the Holy Spirit, navigates safely in this world." According to another image dear to the Church Fathers, she is prefigured by Noah's ark, which alone saves from the flood.334

"Outside the Church there is no salvation"
847 This affirmation is not aimed at those who, through no fault of their own, do not know Christ and his Church:
Those who, through no fault of their own, do not know the Gospel of Christ or his Church, but who nevertheless seek God with a sincere heart, and, moved by grace, try in their actions to do his will as they know it through the dictates of their conscience - those too may achieve eternal salvation.337
848 "Although in ways known to himself God can lead those who, through no fault of their own, are ignorant of the Gospel, to that faith without which it is impossible to please him, the Church still has the obligation and also the sacred right to evangelize all men."338

Our's is a mission. First, to see the Light in each man and then to bear witness to them of the whole truth. Pray that God will continue to show you the goodness in others and that the Holy Spirit will guide your actions and words to bear witness to these.

Take courage! You might be one small sheep, but before you goes God Almighty along with all the angels and saints. Know that the battle is not yours, but the Lords.

 

[St_Joseph_Cupertino]

Well, considering the fact that 1/7 of all the people in the world are baptised into the catholic church, were not as alone as other religions are. http://www.cathnews.com/news/302/45.php

Sure, PolskiKrol, but that is another cause for frustration...do you have any idea of how many of those are fallen away Catholics? Then, once again, you cannot just let your guard down...I would be much more interested to see a number of how many people in the world are devout Catholics.

Peace in Christ.

 

[St_Joseph_Cupertino]

On that topic, does anyone know the ratio on baptised Cahtoilcs and devout Catholics?

Peace in Christ!

 

[PeterPaul]

Prayer, example, charity, and sometimes a kick in the pants.

 

[Rosa Mystica]

On that topic, does anyone know the ratio on baptised Cahtoilcs and devout Catholics?

Peace in Christ!

Okay....I'm a little lost as to what you're asking.

 

[PeterPaul]

Okay....I'm a little lost as to what you're asking.

If there are 100 baptised Catholics, for example. perhaps 20 are practicing Catholics while the others don't. He wants to know what the ratio is.

 

[Rosa Mystica]

If there are 100 baptised Catholics, for example. perhaps 20 are practicing Catholics while the others don't. He wants to know what the ratio is.

Oh, gotcha.

I figure the percentage of devoted Catholics out of 100% is probably less than 20. For instance, I've heard before that somewhere b/w 85-90% of American Catholics practice artificial contraception. That isn't a sign of devoutness to me, that's for sure.

 

[St_Joseph_Cupertino]

If there are 100 baptised Catholics, for example. perhaps 20 are practicing Catholics while the others don't. He wants to know what the ratio is.

Thanks guys.

I thought that might be the case. So, let's do some math (Who said you'd never use math again )
From 6 Billion, you get 840 Million baptised Catholics and from that you get only 168 Million devout Catholics...

Luckily we do not judge....so in Christ's great mercy hopefully more than that will get to heaven

Please excuse this sub-thread, I was just curious aobut the numbers

Peace in Christ!

 

[PeterPaul]

Thanks guys.

I thought that might be the case. So, let's do some math (Who said you'd never use math again )
From 6 Billion, you get 840 Million baptised Catholics and from that you get only 168 Million devout Catholics...

Luckily we do not judge....so in Christ's great mercy hopefully more than that will get to heaven

Please excuse this sub-thread, I was just curious aobut the numbers

Peace in Christ!

Hey brother, I was just using an example. I don't know what the figures are and we would need to find some statistics on this.

 

[St_Joseph_Cupertino]

Yeah, Same here.
I used the example you and Rosa gave to get an idea of where things are.
To tie it in to the origional thread though, I think this is what Sacha_St_Francis meant when she said that we are alone here. I have not met many devout Catholics outside the Sunday Mass mileu at all...
Do you guys come accross many devout Catholics daily? Maybe I'm just not that good at spotting them yet!

Peace in Christ!

 

[Rosa Mystica]

Do you guys come accross many devout Catholics daily?

Ha! No way do I ever come across these in my day to day life. Every Catholic my age that I know is a dissenting Catholic.