There will always be a cost associated with being a disciple of Jesus Christ - Pay it…And rejoice

Today at Holy Mass in the Gospel of St Luke, Jesus tells his friends something we all know too well…The world hates the Truth and because it hates the Truth, it will hate those who speak it as well as live by it….The world and God are at odds - Always have and always will be…..To think otherwise is a delusion…….Jesus pushed the boundaries of society…To put it in terms we can all understand - He “called out the world” - And the world was “not having it” - Why? - Because the world was not interested in changing……Nothing has changed from the time of Christ to this very day……”Jesus said to the crowd: "They will seize and persecute you, they will hand you over to the synagogues and to prisons, and they will have you led before kings and governors because of my name. It will lead to your giving testimony. Remember, you are not to prepare your defense beforehand, for I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute. You will even be handed over by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends, and they will put some of you to death. You will be hated by all because of my name, but not a hair on your head will be destroyed. By your perseverance you will secure your lives”……Notice in the warning Jesus gave to his friends - When the enemies of God are confronted with the Truth - They have no defense against it….”I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute” - Why is that?….Because the Truth is an “immovable object” - Its recognized by everyone even when it is rejected - Why? - Because it is written upon every human heart…So why does humanity reject something that is grafted into human DNA? - Why? - Because there is a deep cost that goes along with embracing the Truth - And the world is not willing to “pay the price”…..As Catholics we must we willing to “pay that price”……I have heard people say - Beware of celebrity priests…Why would someone say that?….Because a holy priest more times then not is despised by the world - Why is that? - Because "that kind of priest” encourages people to change - He "calls it like it is" as we say in New Jersey…..Such a priest does not “go along to get along”….And because of that - Many people will hate “that kind of priest”…..”Father So-and-So is so rigid” - I have heard it before……Jesus was nailed to a cross - Remember that!…..To embrace the Truth means you too will have enemies - That comes with the territory…But also remember this - Enemies can be “won over”…..Catholics should not be afraid to have enemies…We should look at this reality as an opportunity…..To win them over

“Remain faithful until death, And I will give you the crown of life”

To be Catholic in the public square is not easy…Never has and never will be…..But this is what we must be - A witness….When people know you to be “that kind of Catholic” - They watch you very carefully - Looking for you to “mess up” - Let them look and allow God to “work” - That is my feel about that!…….......I go to daily Mass at my job…I work as a Compliance Officer for a European Investment Bank in New York City…Recently it was lunch time and I was headed to Mass when my managing director’s boss, an Ivy League educated attorney was in the elevator with me….She asked me where I was going to lunch…I told her I was headed to Mass…She then asked - “You don’t eat lunch”….....I told her no…I could tell my response made her very uncomfortable….Nothing happened to me as a result of that conversation at work but since that conversation, I can feel this woman’s eyes on me every lunch hour from her office when I get up to go to Mass…..Now - One can look at this encounter with this lawyer I had as a good thing - Maybe it made her “think” about “things” - Bringing God into the forefront of her mind…But such an encounter does “label” me…..It clearly made me viewed as a kind of “odd-ball” in her eyes….Are we willing to be the “odd-man out” because of our faith at work or in our community?….Are we willing to allow our Catholic faith to impact our career?….Do we refuse to take part in certain activities at work that compromise our faith?……As Catholics we must fully digest that we “can not have our cake and eat it too” in this world….That goes for lay-people in the pews and that also goes for Priests and Bishops…..Currently we are free to practice our Catholic faith in America - BUT - There is a subtle implication in the “polite world” of money and power about Catholics….You go to daily Mass?….You have many children?…..You are not for same sex marriage?…You do not support abortion?…I guess you are “that kind of Catholic! - Hmmmmmm?!?…..Again, currently the law and the First Amendment in America protects our Catholic faith - But what happens when it does not?….How will you respond?…Don’t answer! - Rely on God’s grace…Build a solid foundation in your life through daily prayer, fasting and Sacramental living…..Do not trust yourself - But trust in God…Then when the moment comes - If it comes - You will be ready!

“Remain faithful until death, And I will give you the crown of life”

Today at Mass Jesus warns us - Do you take his warning seriously?….If you don’t - well - You should!…..The world has not changed too much since the time of Christ…..It will never be “politically correct” to fully embrace our Catholic faith in the public square - Face it!……If you are “that kind of Catholic” - There will be many people who hate you…..Our response however should be different then theirs to us….Allow me to explain - Its hard to hate a “good guy”….What do I mean by that?…..When the world hates you because you embrace the Truth - And you do not respond in kind - This opens a door - Maybe not to a promotion at work - But maybe a future conversation…..Maybe the way you comport yourself will make people “think” long and hard about themself - This is how hearts and minds change….But to be this witness, we must be willing to pay the price…….There will always be a cost associated with being a disciple of Jesus Christ - Pay it…And rejoice…….JMJ

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