As I was speaking with some friends about being religious a few questions came to mind. The first was that while you can ask Jesus to be and the Lord and Savior of your life, can you ask Jesus to be the Lord and Savior of another person. My friend said quite positively that we could. She then sited Saint Monica who prayed for ten years that Jesus be the Lord and Savior of her son Agustine. Augustine became Saint Agustine, a doctor of the Church. The message, never stop praying for those we love, asking Jesus to become their Lord and Savior. Many of us worry that friends and family members no longer attend mass. Saint Monica would say to never stop praying for them!
Another question that popped-up was whether or not a person could to penance for others. While we pray, fast, live simply and do charitable things in reparation for our sins, can we also do the same, asking forgiveness for the sins of others and doing penance as a prayer for them? Again, the answer is yes! Jesus said that we should not only pray for our friends, but our enemies, too! How many rosaries were said for the conversion of Russia? How often do we pray and fast for those who are hurting? In our liturgies we pray not for just ourselves, but for all people. On Good Friday, there is a section of the liturgy where we pray for everyone-even for those who do not believe! We are always to be faithful in praying and doing penance for all people, not just for ourselves.
A third point that surfaced was that we often feel pressured by those around us, actually intimidated, to not speak up when someone mocks, makes negative statements, jokes, or gossip about our faith and Church. My immediate reaction is to say nothing, in hope that the person will stop and not make fun of my faith. Once an acquaintance of mine told a dirty joke about priests. At the time I said nothing. Later I approached him and let him know that I was offended and that many of my friends were priests. He immediately apologized and said it would not happen again. I was greatly relieved.
But what do we say when someone says something offensive about believing? My best response is, “I wish you didn’t feel that way. Jesus is my Lord and Savior and in Him I find great happiness and freedom.” We don’t have to get into telling why we believe or anything else unless they are really interested. We don’t have to explain ourselves. We can be brave. Sometimes people say negative things about the Church. Again, we can answer, “I’m sorry you feel that way. I love my Church. I find joy and peace when I go to mass. There are a lot of great people there. I meet God there.” I found it beneficial to memorize these or similar lines and practice them with friends so that when the negative stuff is said, I can immediately respond in a positive way. We don’t have to argue or explain or feel intimidated.
“May the Lord bless and keep you. May he let his face shine upon you be gracious to you and give you his peace.”
