My mom is 86 and very frail. She recently fell, and we all thought she was dying, but she seems to be recovering somewhat.... however she is VERY frail now.
My parents are both Catholic, and my Mom is Irish...... is there anyone more Catholic than an Irish Catholic
... except perhaps an Italian Catholic....
I was raised Catholic but was born again at 16. There were huge family upheavals, my parents had the priest talk to me (he told me I was not saved) and I told my parents they were going to hell unless they repented an were born again.
You can imagine how well that went down, especially as I had a stormy relationship with my parents as a teen.
I remained in my new church,got married at 22 to a good man, had 6 kids, and my parents are proud of all of us and happy at how things have turned out for me. Over the years, our relationship has healed, although "religion" has always been a "no go" area of conversation, other than passing references to God's goodness, etc.
Around a year ago, my mom told me she believes in re-incarnation
as she does not think it's fair that we only get one chance!
I told her what the Bible says about living one life, and then the judgment. I also said that there is no way we can ever pass that judgment, other than allowing Jesus' death to atone for our sins. She nodded and said nothing, and then we were interrupted. That is the only time we have ever talked about the Gospel.
I am feeling an urgency about sharing the Gospel with her. I don't think she has much longer left to live. She lives 2 hours away from me, and I'd like to go down and visit her, but I have NO idea what to say, to cut through all the Catholic mumbo jumbo she has known for 86 years. I also don't know how to say right out "Look, you are obviously going to die soon...."
I fear that if I make a mistake, the door will be shut forever.
Does anyone have experience witnessing to Catholics, and can help with a good approach to take? Or what NOT to say?
Thanks.
