Fugitive update: I am a complete idiot
Take me now, Lord, before I turn anyone else away from the Catholic Church! The first thing the fugitive said when I walked in the door today was "Let's go to Mass at lunch." I couldn't believe it. I was unspeakably glad and excited for her to be returning to Mass after so long. In the car ride over to a church in the area and I attempted to explain to her why she shouldn't receive communion. I could not have dreamed a thousand bad dreams that would have been matched the reality of how badly it went after that. It was so bad I don't even know if we're going to be friends any more. She pulled the car over and just started crying. She wouldn't talk about it. She just wanted to go home. I must have dredged up bad feelings and memories that were the reason she turned away from the Church to the begin with. There was nothing I could do or say that would make her feel better.
I appreciate the help of our readers and my fellow bloggers who responded over the weekend. I was really hoping this was going to be a turning point. It seems I have just pushed her away even more. I don't know if I did the right thing by telling her she shouldn't receive the Eucharist. I don't know if it would have still been bad for her soul if she didn't know it was bad for her soul, or if she didn't know she was doing something wrong. Pray for her, please.
I am going to take a cue from St. Francis not use words the next time I share the Gospel.
