Friday, August 17, 2007

Good Catholic Families

Heidi has a fine post on "good Catholic families" and how we can never judge by exteriors. Sometimes families that look perfect from the outside have problems that no one would ever guess. But, it's nobody's business, unless help is asked for. And we can never judge from the number of children how open a couple might be to life. Perhaps there are health issues which they do not care to be made public. Infertility is the cause of many tears being shed. Share

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

People need to learn to keep their mouths shut and hearts in prayer!

I have heard people make unfair assumptions over the years...."Well, they're Catholic and only have one child - you know they're using contraception!! Ha!!"

As you pointed out, they might have struggled with infertility. Perhaps they suffered through the death of a child(ren) or have had grave reasons that dictated the use of NFP to prevent conception. It is none of our business.

I suppose it can go the other way too....people assume that a couple with 5 lovely children is very generous and 'open to life' - but said couple might be defying the Church and using contraception (instead of NFP) to prevent the 6th.

Only God can read the heart. If we have suspicions or concerns, we should make it our job to pray and keep our eyes on our own faults. Like the old saying goes, 'when you assume, you make an ass out of you and me.' :)

elena maria vidal said...

So true, everything you say.

Anonymous said...

Thank you, Elena. So very true- and when you meet that kind of true Catholic understanding, so very helpful!
Not helpful, as Margaret said, however,is people not minding their own business. Oh, the things I've wanted to say when people start poking around and suggesting....

elena maria vidal said...

Well meaning Catholic busybodies can cause a lot of suffering when they start making invasive comments.