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jenk
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| Posted: March 31 2009 at 9:42am | IP Logged
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I hope this is an appropriate question to ask here, I apologize if it's not.
I just told my very baptist mother that my son's First Holy Communion is scheduled for the weekend she was planning to visit...
to make a long story short the conversation went in the direction of not believing "all that catholic stuff" and two statements that I'd like to be able to explain... or at least point her toward a source to explain.
The first was that "those Catholics" (I have yet to tell her I'M coming into the church too- cowardly, I know) believe that Communion guarantees them Salvation... I told her that wasn't true but then wasn't sure exactly what else to say. The second "objection" was about children taking communion (baptists don't baptize children and I guess they don't allow them to participate in communion?) followed by the statement that non-believers (specifically Judas) took communion too.
We stopped the conversation to avoid arguing- I just said that there was a lot of misinformation out there.
So I guess I need some help explaining this sacrament as Catholics believe specifically why children receive and how it relates to salvation.
Thanks so much!
Jen
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Jen
with 2 boys, 14 and 8, and a girl expected 1/09
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stellamaris
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| Posted: March 31 2009 at 10:37am | IP Logged
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First of all, you should tell your mother that you are converting. She will probably be pretty unhappy, but at least it will be out in the open. If you hope to be able to engage in apologetics with her, it needs to be on an honest basis. There is no need to be defensive, to push her, or even to try to convert her. God will use you as He sees is best, but you must not be ashamed or afraid to stand up for the truth. I also wonder if you might tell your mother that you recognize her discomfort with this ceremony, and she does not need to attend or participate in any way. Just because she is visiting, doesn't mean she's required to attend.
As far as Communion "guaranteeing" salvation, the first thing to know is that Baptists believe you can never lose your salvation, whereas Catholics believe you can choose to turn away from God, even after baptism and Communion and years of faithful service. So that's a whole new item to debate! Children receive beginning at age 7 because then they are at an age to understand that this Blessed Sacrament is the Real Presence of Jesus Christ, and they can also know and confess their sins. This is the "age of accountability". The reception of Holy Communion unites your child to Christ and also strengthens them by the indwelling Presence of Christ. It forgives venial sins and unites us as Christians to the entire Body of Christ throughout the world. It is the "source and summit" of our Faith. The "source" because it is our participation in the one Sacrifice of Christ on Calvary, our union with the resurrected Christ in Heaven, and the basis of all the other sacraments. It is the "summit" because union with God is our final destiny, and the Blessed Sacrament is Christ Himself. Your mother can't understand this at all until she understands the teaching of the Church on the Real Presence, and that's going to take a lot of discussion. If you really feel called to educate your mother, probably you ought to spend the next few years educating yourself in the area of Catholic apologetics. At any rate, you can be praying for your mom, and just loving her. You might approach her with questions asking her to explain her beliefs, such as why does she believe children shouldn't take communion? Why don't Baptists take communion when Jesus commanded it? If they take it (which I think they do a few times a year), why do they take it? What does it mean? At least with this approach you'll begin to understand what she believes and you can focus your reading on topics that address her real misunderstandings and concerns. Then you will be ready to give a defense and answer. You were wise to not argue with her and to not rise to the "bait" by getting angry about the negative remarks.
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Caroline
Wife to  dh 30+ yrs,ds's 83,85,89,dd's 91,95,ds's 01,01,02,grammy to 4
Flowing Streams
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JodieLyn
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| Posted: March 31 2009 at 11:42am | IP Logged
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I might point out that the children don't JUST recieve communion. That he's had classes all year and that you're confident of his understanding and that that is exactly why it's a big celebration. That he was not able to recieve before and now he can.
You might also point out that when Catholics recieve communion that you affirm the belief that it is Jesus' Body and Blood when you say amen before recieving.
You might find "Where is that in the Bible" by Patrick Madrid to be helpful. Or Friendly Defender cards that you can use with your son. They're specifically for helping you defend the Faith by those who don't think Catholics are following the Bible.
When you say "no that's not what Communion is" you can point out that in the Bible Jesus says to "do this in memory of Me" and you're simply following what Jesus said to do.
Alot of times if you can point out where it says that in the Bible then you eliminate a lot of the arguing.
And even when someone will not agree with an interpretation you can often get them to agree that since the Catholic belief is such that then this action makes sense and is not mean or whatever. For instance non-Catholics not being allowed to recieve Communion (which if your mom goes you'll probably get to address as well), And I like pointing out in the Bible that since we believe the Bible literally that it is Jesus' Body and Blood and since those that don't discern the Body eat and drink damnation onto themselves. We're simiply being consistent and protecting those that don't believe as we do from what we see as a very serious consequence. That we're not doing it out of spite or to make them stand out or anything of that nature.
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All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
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acystay
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| Posted: April 01 2009 at 11:15am | IP Logged
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I'm a convert. My family didn't really have an organized religion; however, my mom and sister and I did go to a Baptist church during my childhood. I mostly looked at myself as that. I convert b/c I realized that there is a solid tradition in the Catholic Church. I yearned for a church that a foundation from God, not just these interpretations of a few select men.
Anyway, my mom supports my decision. I too didn't tell her that I was converting, and I am sorry I didn't. I would have loved to have my mom present at my confirmation during Easter Vigil. I missed it and can never experience it again. She has been very accepting of me raising my children Catholic. While she doesn't understand it completely, she supports my decision as long as we are teaching and living what God wants us to do. So I say tell her and pooh on if she is upset. This is your soul, your spiritual life, your way to receive more graces given to us by our Lord.
As for apologetics for FHC. ... Let me tell my most newest discovery! I have a couple spellers from CHC. Grace didn't really like them so I put the level B on hold. I recently pulled out just to look at and she was wondering what I was looking at. So we started it. It gives verses to memorize, and I thought, ugh I hated this as a kid (long story). Anyway we did the first one and then in flipping through to the back of the book guess what...an explanation of the verse, the doctrine, and the false teaching! It was wonderful.
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jenk
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| Posted: April 01 2009 at 7:10pm | IP Logged
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Thanks everyone for the input. I don't think she's going to understand the Real Presence at all... truthfully, it's still hard for me to grasp but I'm taking that part on faith, since everything else makes so much sense. Last time she was here, there was a very short conversation between she and my son about the Real Presence- he told her that he believes what Catholics believe and I think she said something like "yuck". That reminds me of the accusations of the early church and cannibalism, which comes from a lack of understanding.
I don't want to paint her as a monster either because I know it's hard for her, believing the way she does, to think of us not "being saved". And she's mostly not confrontative so as long as I'm not, I'm encouraged that she won't be.
Jodie, when she asked why we'd do that I DID respond with "because Jesus said to" (it was the first thing I could think of and then I was wondering if we were even reading the same Bible) and that was countered with the "Judas took communion too",  which I have now researched and found that it seems not to be true... The time line of the Last Supper seems to have Judas leaving BEFORE Jesus instituted the Eucharist. The only gospel that could cause confusion on the timing is Luke, and it seems that his writing is more topical than chronologically. I LOVE researching about the faith so this gives me a good excuse.
I KNOW I should tell my mom my intentions but BOY was there a war when I told her I was getting married in the Catholic church... and that was 10 years ago! She did end up helping out a lot and was very gracious but I'm her only daughter and I suppose she figures that was my only wedding :) She hasn't really softened at all and still informs me of her disapproval with small digs here and there about silly things like Gregorian Chant (because it's too Catholic), which I've always loved. It is a big step to even tell her about my son's FHC.
I'll have to check out the CHC spelling books- I'm getting ready to place an order soon 
I do appreciate your responses!
Jen
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Jen
with 2 boys, 14 and 8, and a girl expected 1/09
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JodieLyn
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| Posted: April 01 2009 at 7:15pm | IP Logged
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Well as far as the Judas took communion too part.. depending on the situation I might fake a laugh and say the Devil believes in Jesus/God (but rejects Him) too.. that doesn't make believing in Jesus evil 
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Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
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4Real Forums : Domestic Church
Topic: Apologetics for FHC?
