"For He bore witness to the truth, but He refused to impose the truth by force on those who spoke against it."
~ Dignitatis Humanae, St. Pope Paul VI & the Second Vatican Council

One of the most difficult and heartbreaking experiences for us as people of faith is watching someone that we love wander from the Church or make choices that are harmful to themselves or others. So much fear, disappointment, and anxiety is created by these situations in our lives. We deeply love our children, our spouses, our friends, and we so desperately desire for them to know the joy, peace, and freedom that we have found in Jesus, yet they must be allowed to exercise their own free will.

How do we live out the spiritual work of mercy to "admonish the sinner" and still honor the free will of those whom we love? How can we propose the Gospel without imposing it upon others? How do love and truth come together in a real, complex human relationship?

In this episode, Pat & Father Nathan discuss the crucial, and often difficult, tension of evangelizing while giving our loved ones the gift of healthy boundaries and their own personal agency - the freedom given to them by God.

If you love someone who seems to be far from Christ, this episode is for you!

Episode 17 Show Notes

Time Stamps
0:00: Intro
3:00: Highs & hards
8:24: Introduction to the free will of others
11:30: Parents desiring the faith for their children
18:45: When do we step in when someone is making mistakes?
25:45: Dignitatis Humanae & Proposing the faith, not imposing it
35:25: Admonishing the sinner and still respecting free will
46:50: Challenge By Choice

Support the show

Thank you for listening, and a very special thank you to our community of supporters!

Visit us online at thiswholelifepodcast.com, and send us an email with your thoughts, questions, or ideas.

Follow us on Instagram & Facebook

Interested in more faith-filled mental health resources? Check out the Martin Center for Integration

Music: "You're Not Alone" by Marie Miller. Used with permission.