Salvation Sunday: We're Still Here

We're still here. And unless Macho Man Randy Savage was the only person to be raptured, the group who sold all of their belongings to buy air time to tell people about the rapture were wrong.

And I kind of feel sad for them. I feel sad that they were duped into a belief that was so very wrong. Sad that they threw away their whole life for something someone made them believe. Sad that they effected so many family members, more than they realize, by their decisions.

But it happens often. And not just in these rapture groups. We had it happen in our family. A beloved family member that everyone put their faith, trust and respect in, ran off with a belief and destroyed more than one marriage, more than one family, more than one business.

Because of this family member's selfish ways, marriages are irrevocably broken, feelings are more than hurt and the rest of the family is left with explaining the behavior of the one who made the choices...we're left to explain something we don't quite understand ourselves...and the hardest part is explaining it to the kids.

My five year old asked, "Well, did she say she was sorry?" No, she did not. Because she believes her decision was right. But he knows better. He sees it. And it's hard to explain it in terms he understands.

So what can we do for those who turn their backs on family, friends and even their faith?

We can pray. We can let them know how their choices and decisions make us feel but we cannot make them understand how their single decision has created such a ripple effect in the lives of others. It is for THEM to find out and learn how they've damaged friendships and families.

If they learn from it, it's not a mistake. People grow and people change. Beliefs are hard to change. If someone believes something, it's hard to change it. But hopefully with prayer, thought and reflection; they can come to learn how their selfish actions effect others.

Believe what you want. Worship what you choose. But remember that your decisions not only effect you but those around you. Those who love and support you. No man is an island.

In my religion, I have been praying to St. Monica for my family member. St. Monica is the patron saint of those who have difficult marriages, disappointing children, victims of adultery or unfaithfulness, victims of (verbal) abuse, and conversion of relatives.

The prayer is as follows:

Blessed Monica, mother of St. Augustine, we give thanks to our Father in heaven Who looked with mercy upon your tears over your wayward son. His conversion and heroic sanctification were the fruit of your prayers. Dear St. Monica, we now ask you to pray with us for all those sons and daughters that have wandered away from God, and to add your prayers to those of all mothers who are worried over their children. Pray also for us that, following your example, we may, in the company of our children, one day enjoy the eternal vision of our Father in heaven. Amen.