Yesterday, I went to downtown Royal Oak to my aunt’s pizzeria for my cousin’s 13th birthday party. I was late, since I had gone to Reconciliation and then Mass. I mentioned to my brother that I went to Confession, and he said, “You sinned again?” I replied, “Yes. It’s even possible that I sinned since confession.” Then, his response:
“Yes! That’s my girl! I’m so proud of you!”
Um…..
Forgive him, Father, for he knows not what he does.
And, we were raised atheist, so I really believe that it comes from ignorance of God and not a willing, informed rejection. It’s like a game, and for him, it’s just fun to be the “bad one.” God is like leprechauns or the Easter bunny or something to him. Not real. The worst part is he is so funny. Not what he says, for that gets rather bad quite quickly, but the way in which he says it.
I’m just not sure whether to pray that he comes to know God, or to pray that he is and remains “invincibly ignorant.” Is he?
4 responses so far ↓
1 Kasia // Feb 4, 2008 at 11:05 am
Definitely pray that he comes to know God. I can’t imagine that praying for him to be invincibly ignorant is a good thing…and since God’s in the business of miracles, never be afraid to ask for something you think is impossible. It may or may not actually come to pass, but that doesn’t mean you can’t pray for it.
2 Jaibee // Feb 4, 2008 at 11:19 am
I kinda do that. I pray that he and my dad (and my mom) come to *know* God, and then I hope (which, you know, wishful thinking is not efficacious) that he *is currently* “invincibly ignorant.”
Like what Bill was saying yesterday at the Parish Mission about the Roman soldiers and Christ on the cross, when Jesus asked the Father to forgive them, he implied that if they truly knew what they were doing, they wouldn’t have done what they did. I think KC’s kinda the same way. He’s a good boy.
3 Kevin // Feb 5, 2008 at 10:40 am
Everybody is made to know and love God. While he may be invincibly ignorant for you and me, all things are possible for God. God has a plan to reveal Himself to your brother in His own time. We may not be privy to that, but we should support your brother with our faith and prayers.
Just see how your brother lets God shine forth in how funny he is. Heaven is filled with laughter. Hell is a dreadfully serious place. God IS joy, beauty, and goodness - and so we know that He is at work in your brother, even if we don’t know the whole story.
Don’t forget that atheists, too, are a gift from God. With their hard questions, they teach us not to worship idols, or not to try to make God into an idol.
4 Jaibee // Feb 5, 2008 at 10:47 am
Oh good, so I might not be so bad when I laugh at him, and enjoy his humor, however wrong he may be? :)
Thanks, Kevin!
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