Articles by Jon Leonetti
Jesus drinks dark roast
Feb 24, 2015 / 00:00 amHere I was in my jeans, a book in one hand and a coffee in the other, and suddenly I saw him.He stumbled into the coffee shop as if he’d never been there before. His eyes didn’t seem to focus on anything. His coat, if that’s what you’d call it, just barely held itself together. His knit stocking cap looked as though every strand of yarn had come up with an escape plan.He sat down at a table about twenty-five feet from mine, and then his eyes finally found something to focus on. They focused on me.He stared at me for what seemed like an eternity. The words froze on the page I was reading. Three or four times I lifted my head to glance his way, hoping he would look away. Each time his eyes caught mine and didn’t move. He just kept staring.Well, that was awkward.Finally, he put his head on the table and began a conversation with himself.I looked around hesitantly to see if anyone else noticed him, but no one seemed to notice—or at least if they did, they were trying as hard as I was to hide it.There was something inside me that wanted to meet him, though. I didn’t want to shake his hand, of course, because even from where I was sitting I could see his hands were filthy. But I at least wanted to ask him his name.Eventually he lifted his head again—and once again he was looking at me. I’d had enough. I made a motion with my head toward the food and quietly asked him if he wanted something to eat. He nodded, and I closed my book. I gathered my belongings and met him at the counter. But I kept my distance. I wanted to make sure everyone knew we weren’t together. I was only doing my Christian duty. He was hungry, and I was supposed to feed him, but I didn’t want people to think he was my friend.Plus, I could barely take the smell.I sent him over to look at the large menus above the counter. He stared at them for what had to be three solid minutes. There were people behind him, but he didn’t care, or at least I thought he didn’t. Then I suddenly realized that he might not even be able to read.Fortunately, while I dithered, the woman behind the counter figured out what to do. She made him a chicken sandwich.Then it happened.He stuck out his hand.It was crusted with dirt. In fact he had dirt everywhere. When he touched his beard, dirt fell to the ground.I hesitantly shook his hand and looked into his eyes. He said his name was Todd. I asked Todd where he sleeps. I couldn’t quite catch his answer. He said he travels a lot. I told him I get to travel a lot, too—as if that gave us something in common. I don’t think we meant it the same way, though.After he got his sandwich I bought him a cookie the size of my head, along with a large dark roast coffee. He thanked me repeatedly, turned around and went back to his seat to eat. I told him it was nice to meet him and went on my way.And that’s the end.But wait! Wasn’t I supposed to have a profound experience here? Wasn’t I supposed to tell you I knew it was Jesus the minute I looked into his eyes?Well, see, that’s where I’m a little embarrassed. I didn’t have to look into his eyes. I knew it was Jesus the moment he walked in (it's actually the first thing that came to mind). And I was still afraid to touch him. I was afraid to walk too close. I was afraid to say hi.I know what you may be thinking: “Don’t be so hard on yourself, Jon. After all, you bought him a meal! How many other people did that for him that day?” Yeah, I thought that, too. But that's no excuse. Not for me, and not for you.I’m not Mother Teresa—I accept that. And I'm not going to be so hard on myself as to become discouraged––after all, writing this is humiliating enough. But I know I need to get better, and so do most of you.You’ve probably heard all the stories about how Mother Teresa kissed leprosy and comforted people on the streets who had seconds to live. And I'm sure she hesitated once in a while, too. She smelled the same smell everyone else did and probably had more than a few awkward glances thrown her way.But she kept at it. She did good things until they became habits, and she kept at the habits until they became joys.Together we can do the same.So, let this be a challenge for you as it is for me. Afterall, it's precisely in these times where we grow the most.“Do not be afraid. Do not be satisfied with mediocrity. Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” (St. John Paul II)
What would your parish look like if...?
May 15, 2013 / 00:00 amDespite the way my office usually looks, I’m something of a perfectionist. It’s not that I always see the glass half-empty, just that I think about what might make the glass and whatever else is in it a littler bit better. I know that it drives some of my friends nuts, but when I sit in the pew on Sunday morning I’m not judging how bad things are (actually my parish is really good, otherwise I wouldn’t be there); rather, I’m imagining – imagining what more it could be.Many days throughout the year I spend in different parishes around the country giving what’s called a Parish Mission. And often I challenge the hard working faithful on the last evening with the same commission I am challenged with by those who love me.What would your parish look like if being a parishioner at Saint So-And-So's actually meant something, really meant something, so that your friends and neighbors who know nothing of the faith know that what it means to be a member of your parish is to be a Christian who takes his faith life very seriously? What would it be like if every one of us really treated the patron saint of our parish as our own special model and guide, if we prayed for their intercession before any major parish activity, and if we strove to imitate their strongest virtues and taught our children to do the same. What would your parish look like if everyone in your parish was so proud to be a part of it that they would beg as many of their friends and family as they possibly could to give it a try, even for just one week.Imagine the ushers after Sunday Mass not just simply smiling while handing you the bulletin to place in the backseat of your car, but calling you by name and asking how your week was. Imagine a Mass where everyone sings, whatever the style and however good – or bad – the organist or other musicians are. Imagine a homily so good that you find yourself still talking about it Wednesday evening. Imagine your parishes intentions being intentional, and your concern for your neighbor so real that you find yourself praying for them and their intentions at your family dinners. Imagine a church where at communion time everyone approached slowly and reverently, and received the Eucharist as though it were the most important thing they did all week. Imagine if every time a baby cried your first instinct and that of those around you was to give thanks to God for the gift of the baby, and not to wonder why the parents haven’t taken her out yet. Imagine a church full fifteen minutes before Mass prayerfully preparing for the true presence of Jesus to enter into their souls, and where people stay five minutes after to give thanks to God for the Gift they have received. What would your parish look like if every day were like a Sunday? What if daily Mass were more than a few people and the schoolchildren showing up once a week? Can you imagine showing up on Saturday to help with a car wash or parish clean up and seeing as many people in line for confession as the penance services during Advent or Lent? What would it be like if your parish were known as the premier place in your city for social outreach, feeding the poor, helping those pregnant and in crisis, assisting immigrants, and helping people save their houses? What would it be like if your parish were like so many Protestant churches: everyone belongs to a Bible study as well as taking part in some special ministry of prayer? What if every parishioner who was able to drive volunteered to take communion to some elderly or homebound person, reminding them that they are loved and not forgotten about by the parish? What if you felt so confident in the prayer lives of your fellow parishioners that you genuinely felt comfortable asking them to pray for your specific struggles or concerns, and in addition, took their prayer requests as seriously as anything else you are asked to do all week?What if instead of passing by your priest after Mass with a handshake and smile, you asked him what specific parish needs you can fulfill that week? What if you started to treat your priest as though he really was the spiritual father of your parish and of your family; if you invited him out to eat, had him bless you and your kids before he left the house, and went to him first when you have some serious personal problem? What if you know the deacon not only from sometimes seeing him on the golf course, but even more from seeing him at the soup kitchen or working with St. Vincent de Paul? What would your parish look like if the priests, deacons, religious, and lay ministers were all so impressive that every parent encouraged their kids to consider a religious vocation instead of trying to steer them away from it because of money? What would your parish look like if it were really beginning to make you into a saint? What would you begin to look like? How would it change your marriage? How would it change your kids? So when I sit in the pew before Mass with a look on my face that might be hard to read, I’m imagining things being different, being even better than they are now. But it’s not because I’m disappointed in your parish or my parish or any other. It’s because every time I gather with God’s people for Holy Mass I see the true potential within me and within you. Why? Because God’s there, and this is what God longs to do with us. St. Irenaeus says that “The glory of God is man fully alive.” Just imagine: What would your parish look like if every man, woman, and child, every family, every couple, every single, every priest, every religious, every layperson, everyone on the books at your parish were made just a little more alive each day, each week, each year? I’ll tell you what your parish would look like...it would change the world.
The danger of the Gospel
Feb 14, 2013 / 00:00 amHave you ever heard of Fr. Robert Barron? If not, then it’s about time that you do. He put out this great DVD series called Catholicism that they might have shown at your parish (if they haven’t yet you should talk to your pastor, it’s amazing!). Among other things he produces a podcast that I listen to multiple times a day. Why? Because over the course of the last few years he has taught me more than I could have ever imagined about Jesus Christ. And I'm not just talking about the warm fuzzy feeling Jesus, but about the Jesus that sets my own life on fire. And now I am on a quest to know everything I can about this Jesus. Not in the way someone who studies the Civil War might want to know everything they can about Abe Lincoln, but more in the way that I want to know everything I can about my wife. The more I know about her the more my love for her grows. And so, the more I come to know not just things about God, but actually come to know God Himself, the more deeply I can love Him.Here are some things that I know for sure. First of all, despite all of the movies and pictures and the way we usually think of things, Jesus was not just a nice guy. I've said it before and I will say it again, nice guys don’t get nailed to trees by screaming mobs. They might get mugged in the street or shot in a movie, but they don’t get executed in courts for capital crimes. I think Father Barron actually phrases it perfectly when he says, “Jesus was a dangerous man, a truly dangerous man.” Think about it. Jesus threatened whole ways of life: both Jewish and Roman. What could be more dangerous than threatening that which is most familiar to everyone? Of course He got killed. The real question is how He managed to keep up this way of preaching and living for as long as He did.Jesus never backed down. Once He took a stand on something He never gave in; something I know that I’m not so good at, and maybe you aren’t either. While I think we are all guilty of just “going with the flow” or not wanting to make waves no one could ever accuse Jesus of doing the same. And it's not like He didn't realize just how difficult and divisive his teachings and claims really were. After all, He almost got himself thrown off a cliff for them right after His very first homily.But what was it about His teaching that was so divisive? What made His preaching dangerous? And why is the gospel your parish priest preaches every Sunday just as dangerous today, no matter how exciting or boring his delivery? I thought you would never ask ...You’ve probably heard people say “Religion is just man’s search for God.” While this may be how certain other religions describe themselves, it certainly is not the claim of Christianity. The whole point of the Jesus story is that God came looking for us, and He came looking for us in the flesh. He wasn’t killed because He told people to “Love one another,” but rather because He told them to “Love one another as I have loved you.” What's the claim? I AM. That's the claim. He forgives sins. He rewrites the law. He condemns the Temple. Jesus is God Himself, but He’s not like the gods of the pagans who took what they wanted, used what they could, and discarded human beings like yesterday’s garbage. No, this Jesus is the God who gives and forgives, who loves, and who destroys sin and death absolutely, finally, to the very end.Now that might not seem especially dangerous to us, but it was dangerous enough a teaching that it got Him killed. To the Romans Jesus was a rival to Caesar who also claimed to be a god and so have dominion over their hearts. Jesus could have spelled the end of everything they knew, and so tried (keyword here) to make sure He wouldn’t succeed.So you might be tempted to say to yourself, “Is Jesus still a threat today?” It seems so. When Jesus says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life,” He is not speaking poetically. He is claiming that He is not just the way, but our way, our truth, and our life: individually, communally, professionally, and every other “-ly” you can imagine. And when we live this way – you and me – then our lives get turned upside-down. Now it no longer makes sense for me to make up truth, because the truth has already been taught. It's no longer the way I want to live. The Way has already been shown. It's no longer my life, but Life Himself who lives in me (Gal 2:20).
Christmas, the New Year and the problem of suffering
Jan 4, 2013 / 00:00 amMy wife and I just had our first baby. It’s incredible how much a baby changes everything: when you eat, when you sleep, how you talk to each other, what you do with your time, and especially how you think about the world.
Courage and Christmas
Dec 17, 2012 / 00:00 amFor most of us Christmas is a cozy time. We get together with family and friends to sip on hot drinks, eat sweet foods, exchange gifts we mostly don’t need, sing happy songs, and share fond memories. There’s nothing wrong with this, of course; Jesus did come as the Prince of Peace, and He does indeed bring joy to the world. But this sanitized, sugary-sweet version of Christmas has contributed, at least in part, to the Christ-less Christmas we often see in shop windows.
Courage and Christmas
Dec 11, 2012 / 00:00 amFor most of us Christmas is a cozy time. We get together with family and friends to sip on hot drinks, eat sweet foods, exchange gifts we mostly don’t need, sing happy songs, and share fond memories. There’s nothing wrong with this, of course; Jesus did come as the Prince of Peace, and He does indeed bring joy to the world. But this sanitized, sugary-sweet version of Christmas has contributed, at least in part, to the Christ-less Christmas we often see in shop windows. We human beings like things that are comfortable, and if given half the chance we’ll focus on that and leave the hard stuff for someone else to deal with.
Faith's Super Bowl
Feb 2, 2010 / 00:00 amSuper Bowl Sunday. Food. Family. Friends. Two teams looking to win sport’s most coveted trophy. Does it get any bigger in the sports world than this? Alright, so it does for me; I am a Vikings fan. But you get my point…As these teams prepare to set foot on the field in Miami on February 7, eye paint smeared, voices raised, adrenaline coursing through their veins, they cannot help but be reminded of all the hard work that has taken them this far. Coaches are proud of their players, players are proud of their coaches, and fans are proud of both. It has all become worth it. The grueling days of practice in blistering heat and biting cold, waking up at 5:00 AM to run sprints, it has all taken them down the road to Super Bowl Sunday.I am sure that when Peyton Manning and Drew Brees put on their Jerseys on February 7, they will be reminded of the tradition and history of both their teams. They will be proud to walk out on the field wearing their respective colors, knowing that all their hard work, and that of their teammates, has brought them to this moment. And it is a big moment!Thinking about Super Bowl Sunday, and the amount of pressure and attention is grabs, I could not help but think of the big moments in our faith. Of course, Easter Sunday and Christmas day are right up there. With all the big days in our faith come special graces and blessings that we hold dear to our hearts. However, we as Christians are not called to pray any harder on those days than any other day. Yes, there is definitely build up for the great days of our faith, but within each one of those days of build-up, we are called to live our faith in the greatest of ways.Aren’t we called to put on our jersey too? Our jersey is that of the yoke of Jesus Christ. Are we not reminded, each day in our faith, of the rich tradition and history that has granted us the ability to believe so strong? The difference is that this jersey, this reminder of our tradition, is not something that is put on for a particular day. For Christians, each day is the Super Bowl of faith. Each day we undertake hard work and many grueling tasks doing them completely for our God. Each day calls us to not forget those who have gone before us, remembering who we are and who we were created to be.When I travel to speak at gatherings across the country, I see many who stand up and proclaim their belief and love for Jesus Christ with everything they have. It is so refreshing to see the many who, maybe even for the first time, stand up and take pride in their Christian identity. However, we also realize that with those moments during various retreats and conferences comes the responsibility to incorporate them in every second of our lives. We are then able to “go out onto the streets and into public places” proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ as Pope John Paul the Great asked us to do. We live our faith each day, unwilling to set it aside no matter how difficult and challenging our lives may be.For most of us, life is not an easy road. Challenges, difficulties, and tears are a guarantee. Yes, there are many joys and plenty to be thankful for, but amidst it all, life is not easy. If life is not easy, surely we cannot say that faith is any easier. Though faith comes with many more joys and blessings, it comes with even more challenges and difficulties. After all, it was Christ himself who said that in order to be his disciples, we must pick up our crosses and follow him. However, in carrying that cross we understand more deeply that no matter how many times we grow weary, our Lord is always there to give us the grace to continue on.When Peyton Manning, Drew Brees, or any one of their teammates walk out onto that field on Super Bowl Sunday, they know they are walking into a grueling three hours of disappointments, challenges, and joys. We too, in our faith, must be willing to walk out onto the field of faith each day, taking every day as an opportunity to live greater.Both teams go into their championship game next Sunday not knowing who will come out victorious. As they step out in front of thousands of fans in the stadium, and the millions watching all over the world, each player cannot help but wonder, even for an instant, if they will be the ones to go home with the trophy. In our faith, we experience something different. We already know who has been victorious. We walk out onto that field of faith each day knowing that it is Christ who has won. And no whether or not there are thousands in attendance, or a few in the pew, we can be confident that our Lord is calling us to share in His victory. This, I believe, is why John Paul II repeated the phrase “do not be afraid” so often. As St. Paul so ardently proclaims, with Christ, we have “won the race.” And through it all, we live faith’s super moments, each and every day.
Faith’s Super Bowl
Jan 25, 2010 / 00:00 amSuper Bowl Sunday. Food. Family. Friends. Two teams looking to win sport’s most coveted trophy. Does it get any bigger in the sports world than this? Alright, so it does for me; I am a Vikings fan. But you get my point…As these teams prepare to set foot on the field in Miami on February 7, eye paint smeared, voices raised, adrenaline coursing through their veins, they cannot help but be reminded of all the hard work that has taken them this far. Coaches are proud of their players, players are proud of their coaches, and fans are proud of both. It has all become worth it. The grueling days of practice in blistering heat and biting cold, waking up at 5:00 AM to run sprints, it has all taken them down the road to Super Bowl Sunday.I am sure that when Peyton Manning and Drew Brees put on their Jerseys on February 7, they will be reminded of the tradition and history of both their teams. They will be proud to walk out on the field wearing their respective colors, knowing that all their hard work, and that of their teammates, has brought them to this moment. And it is a big moment!Thinking about Super Bowl Sunday, and the amount of pressure and attention is grabs, I could not help but think of the big moments in our faith. Of course, Easter Sunday and Christmas day are right up there. With all the big days in our faith come special graces and blessings that we hold dear to our hearts. However, we as Christians are not called to pray any harder on those days than any other day. Yes, there is definitely build up for the great days of our faith, but within each one of those days of build-up, we are called to live our faith in the greatest of ways.Aren’t we called to put on our jersey too? Our jersey is that of the yoke of Jesus Christ. Are we not reminded, each day in our faith, of the rich tradition and history that has granted us the ability to believe so strong? The difference is that this jersey, this reminder of our tradition, is not something that is put on for a particular day. For Christians, each day is the Super Bowl of faith. Each day we undertake hard work and many grueling tasks doing them completely for our God. Each day calls us to not forget those who have gone before us, remembering who we are and who we were created to be.When I travel to speak at gatherings across the country, I see many who stand up and proclaim their belief and love for Jesus Christ with everything they have. It is so refreshing to see the many who, maybe even for the first time, stand up and take pride in their Christian identity. However, we also realize that with those moments during various retreats and conferences comes the responsibility to incorporate them in every second of our lives. We are then able to “go out onto the streets and into public places” proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ as Pope John Paul the Great asked us to do. We live our faith each day, unwilling to set it aside no matter how difficult and challenging our lives may be.For most of us, life is not an easy road. Challenges, difficulties, and tears are a guarantee. Yes, there are many joys and plenty to be thankful for, but amidst it all, life is not easy. If life is not easy, surely we cannot say that faith is any easier. Though faith comes with many more joys and blessings, it comes with even more challenges and difficulties. After all, it was Christ himself who said that in order to be his disciples, we must pick up our crosses and follow him. However, in carrying that cross we understand more deeply that no matter how many times we grow weary, our Lord is always there to give us the grace to continue on.When Peyton Manning, Drew Brees, or any one of their teammates walk out onto that field on Super Bowl Sunday, they know they are walking into a grueling three hours of disappointments, challenges, and joys. We too, in our faith, must be willing to walk out onto the field of faith each day, taking every day as an opportunity to live greater.Both teams go into their championship game next Sunday not knowing who will come out victorious. As they step out in front of thousands of fans in the stadium, and the millions watching all over the world, each player cannot help but wonder, even for an instant, if they will be the ones to go home with the trophy. In our faith, we experience something different. We already know who has been victorious. We walk out onto that field of faith each day knowing that it is Christ who has won. And no whether or not there are thousands in attendance, or a few in the pew, we can be confident that our Lord is calling us to share in His victory. This, I believe, is why John Paul II repeated the phrase “do not be afraid” so often. As St. Paul so ardently proclaims, with Christ, we have “won the race.” And through it all, we live faith’s super moments, each and every day.
Live, Laugh, Love – In Catholic Terms
Jan 4, 2010 / 00:00 amAnymore, the phrase, “Live, Laugh, Love” has become all too familiar. The phrase has almost become ‘the’ inspirational quote of our day. We see it on bumper stickers, picture frames, and wall quotes. It surrounds us.I have to admit that when I first saw this quote, phrase, or whatever you want to call it, I really liked it. I do like simple quotes like this, and this one was pretty straightforward. I mean, it’s not like I reflected on it any longer than the twenty-eight seconds I usually allow myself to think about such phrases. In fact, the first time I saw the phrase, the conversation went a little something like this… “Live? Check. I am breathing and I am pretty sure my heart is beating. Laugh? Well tell me something funny! Love? I like this one.”I saw it as nothing more than a sort of quick-inspirational boost that had a catchy ring to it. Really, that is the purpose of such phrases. However, because I see this quote everywhere, I have found myself reflecting on it more and more. And after a bit of reflection, I truly believe a phrase like this is perfectly aligned with our faith. Living and laughing may not be theological virtues, but reflecting on them through the lens of Christ can help us to a deeper understanding of the universal call to holiness that we are all called to, well, “live”.Yes, our hearts are beating. We are breathing (and if you live in the Midwest, you will be able to see your breath as proof!) But as Christians, that is not the interpretation of the word we are called to. We must interpret it in a way that our faith demands. “Live” tells us not just simply to “be alive” but rather “live fully.” “Love” tells us not to simply “love”, but to truly pour ourselves out for all those in need. “Laugh” doesn’t just tell us to throw our heads back and chuckle, but, well, laughing a lot? You get my point.St. Ireneaus believed that the glory of God was living fully in Him. This is one of my favorite quotes, and not just because it sounds good. I love this quote because living within our God is how we were created to live! We are not supposed to do so a few days out of the week. We are called to live in God on a day-to-day basis. We are called to live in a way where we get out of bed with the attitude of giving our entire selves to God. Yes, this does differ from the “wake up in the morning and hate to go to work” kind of living.OK, I know what you may be thinking. “Get real! Do you really expect every day to be great?” Well, yes. Each day may not be great in our terms, but it should be great in God’s. Let me explain. Making sacrifices of faith, hope and love is not always going to feel good. Living heroic virtue is not something that is always going to leave us with an incredible amount of energy. Realistically speaking, living “fully alive” is difficult. It demands a lot. In fact, it demands everything we have. Not everyday is going to be the most incredible day you have ever experienced. That certainly is not what our Lord said. Truly living, and living fully, demands we wake up and go to bed with the heart of someone who intends to make the sacrifices of faith, hope, and love with everything they have.Jobs are difficult. Our families can get on our nerves. But really, when we think about it, where would we be without either? It is much easier to complain than to be grateful. It doesn’t take much effort to complain either. Our Lord is calling us to live greater and it starts in the little things. Doing homework or washing the dishes may be annoying tasks. Living fully, however, begins with those seemingly annoying or mundane tasks and completes them with a true gift of self. With homework?! Yes. It all begins with what is right in front of us. It begins with making the sacrifices for our husbands or wives, brothers or sisters, mothers or fathers, and to do so with a smile on our face.This is going to be different for all of us. The new year brings many new hopes. Let this be one of them. I realize I am speaking in broad terms. But I do so with the hope that each of us will take the time to reflect how our God is calling us, in our daily, to plunge into the fullness of our call: the call to “fully live” in the way we were intended to live.
He was crazy… in love.
Dec 7, 2009 / 00:00 amMy Advent meditation really caught me by surprise this year. Two weeks prior to Advent, I was thinking about what my main focus in prayer during those four weeks of preparation was going to be. I came up with a few: spending more quiet time each week in adoration, deepening my devotion to the Blessed Mother, etc. However, I really could not make up my mind. As time got closer and closer to the lighting of that first candle, I remember panicking. And then, there I was, sitting at Mass on the first Sunday of Advent, thinking to myself, “all right I’m just going to pick one.” I knew any of those meditations/devotions would strengthen my faith, hope and love for our Lord, preparing myself for the day in which he was born. However, as I began thinking and praying for this particular “movement” in my faith, the name John the Baptist rang in my head. As I started thinking about him more and more, I realized something I really never thought about before. This man was crazy. This guy was not someone I would ever invite to a nice dinner to or a gathering with friends. He wore a hair-like coat that was obviously uncomfortably itchy. He ate grasshoppers for breakfast, lunch and dinner. And he probably had a longer beard than Santa. I’m sure being out in the heat did not make him smell very good either. As I continued to reflect on John, I realized something else. The word “crazy,” (as I was describing him in my thoughts), isn't really accurate. In-and-of-itself, is doesn't truly capture the entirety of who John the Baptist was. What really must follow that word “crazy” are the words, “in love”. John the Baptist was “crazy in love” with our God. He was not just someone who was a “nice pious individual.” He was someone who lived every moment of his life for his faith. And he did so in a revolutionary way. This man, John the Baptist, laid the groundwork for all Christians to “not be afraid” in proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ. And as I continued to think, I realized that it really was this man who set the precedent that gave me permission to walk the country six months ago with a friend with the intention of raising this awareness on this life our God is calling us to live. At this moment, I knew our Lord was directing my vision to John the Baptist.Advent is a time of preparation. In my last article I wrote about this preparation that we are called to as Christians, to prepare our hearts for the birth of our God made man. But I believe John teaches us something else. Not only are we as Christians called to prepare our own hearts for His arrival, we are also called to prepare the hearts of others.This is when I know it can get tricky. We live in different “worlds” than the time of John. People would look at John in a completely different way had he been born today. But reflecting on his life, we can all benefit from this man's personality, thoughts, and overall way of living. Are we called to wear hair-like coats around everywhere we go? Maybe not. Sure, our Lord does call us to penance, and we know this is different for everyone. But by the very life of John, we are taught that our God is not going to settle for ignorance. Our God does not accept “fear” as an excuse for not living, breathing, and proclaiming the Gospel. This man they called The Baptist gives witness to this in a heroic way. So often, we as Christians are fearful that we are going to be looked at as another “crazy Jesus follower” if we live in the ways of our God. Often times we may hold back from proclaiming this truth of the Gospel for fear that we may not be liked or accepted. I am sure all of us can relate in some way. But it was John who exemplified what it means to live our lives ‘crazy in love’ with our God. And even though this love is something that is not necessarily “normal” by the world’s standards, it is holy and true by the standards of faith. This Advent let us all look to John the Baptist, who, without fear, exemplifies what it means to prepare our hearts in the truest of ways. It is a way that to the world may be “crazy” and out of the norm, but through the eyes of faith, it prepares all of us to aspire to a new way of life, a life where we live “crazy in love” with our God.
Living Today For Christ Our King
Nov 23, 2009 / 00:00 amOn the Solemnity of Christ the King, celebrated last Sunday, we as Catholics heard the most comforting words we could ever hear. Jesus Christ, standing before Pontius Pilate, proclaimed the words, "My kingdom is not here.”Can you imagine Pilate, standing before our Lord, listening as those words were spoken from Christ’s mouth? Pilate had to have been a little confused. You know that old joke, the one that goes, “you talking to me?” I am sure this is exactly what Pilate was thinking. Be he probably wasn’t joking. ‘Does this man know who he is talking too?’ Yes, He did. Christ knew just who it was he was speaking to. And He spoke those words anyway, without fear.To me, this is the ultimate example of not backing down, of making a firm decision for truth and then acting on it. How many times in our own lives do we back down from our faith? I am not just speaking of those times every one once in a while. I am speaking of those times, daily, that we decide the ‘world’ is our Kingdom. Christ could not have been any more clear in those words He spoke standing in front of Pilate. Jesus Christ is not only defining Himself, clearing up any confusion as to who He is, He also presenting each and every one of us with a decision: a decision that asks which Kingdom we serve.I don’t know about you, but thinking back at the end of a long day, I am able to think of a few times I was presented with the choice as to which Kingdom I belong to: Christ’s kingdom or the world’s. I think this really goes for most of us. Many times a day, we are presented with the ability to define who we are. Do we belong completely to God, or completely to the world. Half the battle is recognizing the opportunity: taken or missed!However, in order for us to even make this decision, to define who we are and who it is we belong to, we first have to be able to recognize those opportunities. I mean, let’s be honest, most of us do not have intense encounters like the one Pontius Pilate had with Jesus. For most of us, we go about our daily routine whether in the office or at home, using the gifts and talents our God has given us. Some days move faster than others. Nonetheless, we are always presented with a little reflection time at the end of the day. And within that reflection time, we may find that this quick or slow day we just had was really filled with opportunities to proclaim, like Christ, to which “world” we belong. Oh sure, some opportunities are bigger than others, but nonetheless, they are there.Christ’s Kingdom is ‘not of this world’. Neither is ours. We have been created in the image and likeness of our God. Our God wants nothing more than our defining “yes” to His Kingdom. Take, for instance, the example of Blessed Miguel Pro, a Catholic priest who literally gave his life for his faith. Fr. Pro was a priest who made the ultimate sacrifice, risking his life each day to bring the sacraments to those in need for which he was ultimately be put to death. Yet we know his physical death was not the end for Blessed Pro. It was only the beginning of his new life now shared with our God. His last words ring in the hearts of all those who aspire to live out their faith, “Viva Cristo Rey!”- “Long live Christ the King!”Each day, we are presented with many opportunities to live for and in Jesus Christ. Through these opportunities, we are called to share in that same “yes” of Blessed Pro and all the Christian faithful, proclaiming with all that we have that Christ is our King! Oh sure, we will fall short. But it is within our falling that we are then able to re-define ourselves in a greater and deeper love of He who created us to love him.I really don’t know about you, but these words serve for me as the biggest reminder of what is to come in my own life. Christ, being handed over to die on a tree, is face to face with the ultimate opportunity to proclaim who He is. With that opportunity, our Lord reminds each of us that the world in which we live ‘is not the end’. What waits for us after a long and hope-filled life is greater than we could ever possibly imagine. Until then, let’s live today for Christ our King.
Start Living
Oct 26, 2009 / 00:00 amEntitlement. Many of us take on the idea that we truly believe we deserve what we have. Often, it doesn’t stop there. We often find that once someone buys into the idea of entitlement, it quickly turns into pity: self-pity. We slide down that treacherous slope, moving from thinking we deserve what we have to thinking we deserve more. We unknowingly train ourselves to think what we have, even though we might deserve it, is simply not good enough. We complain about the way our day “should have gone,” rather than thinking critically of what choices we (really, I myself)could have made today to create a healthier and happier life… a life where we look at our challenges and difficulties as a way to build ourselves into a faithful and hopeful people.I have met some pretty unhappy people. Most of the time (listen for it) their lives would be “happier” if they had just “one more thing”. Rather than concentrating on what we do have and counting those blessings, we often choose to think of “the more” that we could have…or… “deserve”. And why is that? We are some of the most fortunate people in the world. Are we trained to think this way? I would say “yes.” But there is hope. As much as we have been trained to view our world as something that should be handed to us on a golden platter, we can just as easily un-train ourselves. And I believe me, it’s simple.I’m going to go out on a limb here and make a suggestion. Take it or leave it , but it is something that I believe would alter the way we think of our world. That suggestion is that we start taking inventory of the graces and blessings within our lives. Sound cliché? Maybe. But if it was so cliché I believe it would already have been acted upon by many more of these unhappy people. Without a clear, steady, and daily inventory of the many blessings and graces we have been given, there is simply no way around the trap of entitlement and self pity. We have to stop being the person whose only reflection of character is a certain kind of latte at Starbucks and start being a people who reflects on the reality of the goodness God has bestowed on us.By taking this inventory of our lives, we ultimately start living within true freedom, the freedom of Jesus Christ. Within this freedom, we venture outside of ourselves, rediscovering our call to live the way God intended for life to be lived.Sure, it’s not easy. There will always be challenges and difficulties. But within these seemingly insurmountable struggles lies our purpose. We were made to be a people of hope, people who create opportunities, and people that make decisions that lead us to true life with God. This new vision of freedom as coming from our giving of ourselves to God will not necessarily make everything better overnight. It will, however, give us a vision of Christ, a vision that ultimately looks to the Resurrection. Let’s make the commitment to this freedom today, making our purpose a reality.
Just One More Thing…
Oct 12, 2009 / 00:00 amPicture it: The rich man encountering Jesus Christ face to face. As they look into each others’ eyes, the people around them inch closer and closer. Can you feel the tension? The rich man, feeling quite sure of himself asks Jesus if there is more.
A Realization in Evangelization (Part 3)
Oct 5, 2009 / 00:00 amRecently I was speaking with a friend who had left the Church and converted to another denomination of Christianity. Growing up Catholic and having a firm faith in the Lord, I asked him why he would convert to another faith. His answer: “My relationship with Jesus was hurting and I needed a faith where it could be strengthened.” I did not understand. We are the one true faith - the faith that Jesus handed on to Peter, the Church that Christ married upon the cross. This faith, the faith of all the martyrs and saints, a faith of billions over the last 2,000 years… was not feeding a soul?
A Realization in Evangelization (Part two)
Sep 28, 2009 / 00:00 am“Holiness, whether ascribed to Popes well-known to history or to humble lay and religious figures, from one continent to another of the globe, has emerged more clearly as the dimension which expresses best the mystery of the Church. Holiness, a message that convinces without the need for words, is the living reflection of the face of Christ.” - Pope John Paul II
A Realization in Evangelization: (Part one of a three-part series on Evangelization)
Sep 21, 2009 / 00:00 amWe believe, oh yes, we do believe. And it’s a beautiful thing, isn’t it? It’s an incredible gift of faith, given by a God who wants nothing more than to spend eternity with us. Despite our unworthiness, despite the many times we have turned away, we have a God who continually fills our hearts with this ‘need’- a need that begs us to live as we were created to live. And with this precious gift of faith we are also given something else. Responsibility – a responsibility to go "unto all the world and proclaim the Good News." A responsibility to "not be afraid" and to "cast out into the deep" with our very lives. So, the question at hand is… are we fulfilling this call? Are we, a people entrusted with this hope, in turn, sharing it with others?
Laboring never to ask for reward
Sep 7, 2009 / 00:00 am"To Toil and not seek for rest. To Labor and not ask for reward, except for knowing that I do your will."
Peace?
Aug 24, 2009 / 00:00 amWhat is peace? If you have never once sat down and tried to put a definition to it, try right now, then continue reading after you are finished.
Choosing to give our all
Aug 10, 2009 / 00:00 amThe British Open, one of professional golf's four yearly major championships, saw something that stunned golfing fans around the world a couple weeks ago. Tiger Woods, the world's number one golfer, did not make the cut to compete. Big deal, right? Well, to Sports Nation, this was huge.