Monthly Archives: November 2010

Yesterday something truly miraculous happened: my brother and sister went to Eucharistic Adoration with me. I was a little surprised the whole time I was driving over to Epiphany. My brother who is so sure that his infallible interpretation of Scripture proves that Christ isn’t in the Eucharist, and my sister who avoids anything controversial, were sitting in a car going to pray with me before Jesus Christ in the Blessed Sacrament. Even now, I can hardly believe that it happened.

Now, while I was praying there, I started praying for them. While I was praying, I realized that my motives weren’t pure. I didn’t want them to understand and believe in the Eucharist simply so that they would be closer to Christ. I wanted them to admit that I was right. I wanted the satisfaction of knowing that I converted them on this issue. It was at that point when I realized that my prayers were not going to be heard. I didn’t have their best interests in mind, nor did I seem at all concerned about the Glory of God. And so, I thought to myself, “who could possibly not have any impure motive?” Mary. Mary only desires that her Son be glorified. She receives nothing from my brother and sister being converted. Interestingly, I’ve been trying to think of Patrons to offer each family member to, someone unique to their needs and personalities. I think, though, that I will just give them to Mary. Mary will offer them up perfectly to Jesus. He will hear her prayers. I know that he already has.

After Adoration, my brother didn’t say much. In fact he has said nothing at all about the experience. My sister, on the other hand, is super confused. She read John 6 while sitting in Adoration, which was probably not such a good idea if she wanted to maintain her Baptist beliefs. She sees why we believe in it, but started to get frustrated because she doesn’t know of a conservative church that believes in the Real Presence, that doesn’t practice infant baptism. She’s against infant baptism, but she admitted she’s not one-hundred percent sure on that either. It’s hard to just let go, to give them to Mary, to stop hounding them and let Mary do her work. But I have hope!

And I’m getting so close to the end of my year of abstaining from alcohol for their conversion. I’m so antsy. I know that something good is going to happen, but I don’t want to be disappointed if it doesn’t. But maybe I’m starting to see fruit? Eucharistic Adoration about a month before my sacrifice ends and confusion about what the truth is? It’s looking up!

Mary, I offer the hearts of my brother and sister to you. With the assistance of the Holy Spirit, you formed in your womb, effortlessly, the God-Man. Quickly, with the help of God the Holy Spirit, form my brother and sister into two fine young Roman Catholics. Amen.

I’ve never considered writing about this, but I think that the time has come to address the issue. I’ve recently started writing for the school newspaper, and I’m sure this will shock all of you, but my writing slants to the right. I haven’t attacked the issue of same-sex marriage head-on in my articles, nor do I plan to, but it has been mentioned in both of my articles, first in my article about freedom of religion and second in my article against anti-bullying laws. They were only mentioned in passing, but I can see a lot of tension coming from my words. I know that much will come from the mostly liberal staff and students at school, but its not that that I’m worried about. It’s my friend and roommate.

My roommate came out of the closet about two-and-a-half months ago. I’ll admit, I wasn’t extremely surprised to get the news when he told me. I know that it was really hard for him to tell me because he knows how seriously I take my faith, and he has known since he met me. That never stopped him from becoming my friend and though I have always had my suspicions, it didn’t stop me from becoming his friend. The first thing I wanted to do was to make sure that he knew that this did not change our friendship. I may have moral objections to the choices he makes, but that does not mean that we cannot be friends. It does not mean that I will not speak to him, that I will be so afraid that I lock my door at night because I fear he is going to molest me or something. I understand that just because he is gay does not mean I have to worry.

Rather, I need to show him the love of Christ more than ever before. Jesus hung out with sinners. He had compassion on them, gave them hope of redemption. He however, never affirmed their sin. He always called for repentance. I’ve never affirmed his lifestyle choice, and if the issue comes up, I will be straightforward and honest, no matter how difficult. I have chosen not to bring the issue up myself because I am not in any kind of authoritative position in his life. He has much closer friends who have deeper insight and any kind of message of repentance would be best if it came from someone else, not from me.

But I do feel that there is going to be more tension in our friendship if he starts reading my articles in the paper, or if he even reads my blog. He may even get worked up enough about my conservative principles to confront me, and I must be ready for it.

I try to pray for him everyday and have offered a number of rosaries on his behalf to the Blessed Mother. I continue to pray for him and I ask that you would too.

Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God
That we would be made worthy of the promises of Christ.