[Mark J Hornbacher]

Thanks for sharing, Steven.

If I may offer some thoughts on your stepson’s problem with Catholic Communion:

Maybe you could tell him that the Catholic Church teaches that Jesus gave us the Sacraments, especially Baptism and Holy Communion, so that through them we might be saved. Jesus himself said that of both Baptism and Communion in the Bible (John 3:5 for Baptism, John 6:53-57 for Communion). The Sacraments, in Jesus’s plan, are ways he established for us to come to him in faith and receive his saving power in our lives. Nevertheless, though God binds us to receive the sacraments he established, he himself is not bound by them. The Catechism of the Catholic Church says this in paragraph 1257.

[Mark J Hornbacher]

Excellent!

How did your “power-surge” time before the Blessed Sacrament go?

[Mark J Hornbacher]

Beautiful!

How did your “power-surge” time before the Blessed Sacrament go?

[Mark J Hornbacher]

That is a good way to put it, Delain. We are all subject to the confusions and self-deceptions of our fallen human nature. Spiritual presumption (for others) ignores that, looking at externals instead of recalling that the real battle for souls goes on in the heart. Since we cannot see into a person’s heart, all we can do is strive for holiness and bear witness to Christ, knowing that God makes use of our efforts to save souls.

Thank you for looking at the course! I hope that you find it helpful.

[Mark J Hornbacher]

Thank you for sharing your expertise, Kelly!

[Mark J Hornbacher]

Wonderful. Keep it up! We’ll pray for them.

[Mark J Hornbacher]

Good. Keep up those prayers. Do not give up!

[Mark J Hornbacher]

Praise the Lord! I’m so glad that you’re coming into the Church of Christ!

Are you a baptized Christian entering into full communion, or something else?

[Mark J Hornbacher]

Thanks for going through the lesson, Peter! That’s good — “why they are with that church or denomination, and why they think someone else should join.” I like that it cuts right to the point. Also, I think that would be the part of the conversation where you would ask also other questions about themselves and their faith, bringing in the “listen, befriend” SPSE stages.

[Mark J Hornbacher]

Good!

Did you share this with someone? How did it go?

[Mark J Hornbacher]

Then my instinct is that you will want to focus on showing her a good witness of life – especially by showing her greater kindness and love.

[Mark J Hornbacher]

Do you think that you are exercising a gift where the Holy Spirit gives you these directions?

[Mark J Hornbacher]

Is he too far away to visit?

[Mark J Hornbacher]

Is your mother a devout protestant, with a strong faith? Or mostly nominal?

[Mark J Hornbacher]

Good additions! Thanks Christopher!

[Author]

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