Jesus was bold - That should imply we are to be bold too!

Today at Holy Mass in the Gospel of St Mark, the Pharisees attempt to trick Jesus - But before they do, they say something, which is in my estimations to be highlighted for the purposes of this reflection…Jesus only cared about the “opinion” of God the Father - He did not live to appease men…How about us? - Are we more concerned with how society views us, then we are how God will judge us at the end of time?……“Teacher, we know that you are a truthful man and that you are not concerned with anyone’s opinion. You do not regard a person’s status but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth”………We are told in Scripture by Jesus himself that the Truth when fully embraced divides…..The world rejects the Truth - Sadly, even within the walls of the Church - When the Truth is preached in its fullness from the pulpit, many are “put off”….But this was the manner in which Jesus lived and spoke - Through the lens of the Truth - And this must also be the model of every Catholic today - But is it?…….”And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna”…When we read the Acts of the Apostles, which chronicles the early Church, we see just how bold the first Catholics were….This book of the Bible, should be a constant reminder for the Church today - Are we bold? - Do we bring the Catholic faith into the public square? - Do we “water-down” eternal Truths to appease the culture and “win” favor?…….St Oscar Romero (1980), was the Archbishop of El Salvador and a martyr ,who famously proclaimed these words….. “A church that doesn't provoke any crises, a gospel that doesn't unsettle, a word of God that doesn't get under anyone’s skin, a word of God that doesn't touch the real sin of the society in which it is being proclaimed —  what gospel is that?”…..Powerful words - But words are not enough - Our world needs Catholic action!

“May the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ enlighten the eyes of our hearts, that we may know what is the hope that belongs to his call”

When there is a Catholic wedding in America, at the Mass, usually in attendance are many non-Catholics. Also in attendance are usually many non-practicing Baptized Catholics, which is a sad reality….What I have observed in those situations is the Priest who is presiding over the Mass, when its time to approach the altar to receive the Blessed Sacrament, usually would make a statement to the congregation that only Catholics in the state of grace can receive the Blessed Sacrament, which means only Catholics free of mortal sin. He would also go on to say Non-Catholics cannot receive the Blessed Sacrament as well but can come up and receive a blessing….This is the correct statement to make at such a wedding, sadly, but that does not mean that the people in the congregation always receive this statement in a “friendly” manner - Many are “put off” when a Priest simply is “doing his job”….This is just a small, but very real example of what the Pharisees said Jesus would do in the public square during his earthly ministry…..”We know that you are a truthful man and that you are not concerned with anyone’s opinion. You do not regard a person’s status but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth”…Jesus was bold - Therefore, so must the Church be bold today!….As Catholics, if we do not live the teachings of the Church and put them into practice in real time, the secular world will not take the Catholic Church seriously! - How could they?!?……If we say something is an eternal Truth - If we write that eternal Truth down formally in the Catechism  - Then don’t you “think” we NEED to live those teachings out!….”Pretending” not to “see” sin does not make it go away….”Watering-down” Church teaching is not “pastoral” nor is it an act of mercy…..Preaching “half-truths” does not convert others - It frankly affirms them in their sin……Jesus is our example - RIGHT! - So were the early disciples…..”Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna”…..Live for an “audience” of one - Only God’s opinion in the end matters - The “noise” of the “crowd” will all “fade away”, so don’t be bullied by “noise”

“Let your work be seen by your servants and your glory by their children”

Today the leading members of society try to trick Jesus - What about today? - Does our culture try to manipulate the way we think and live?….To live as a Catholic means that we live differently - If you are not “different”, frankly you simply are not living the Gospel - Sorry! - That is a bold claim to make but a true one nonetheless…..We as a Church must “lift up” society - We are not to compromise our standards to appease society - To tell people what they want to hear - And to live like that can be challenging - Let’s be honest - But that is the mandate of every Baptized Catholic - “To be in the world but not be of the world” - To show the world, by our life’s example, a “better way” to live….This requires us to be bold!….Jesus was bold - That should imply we are to be bold too!……………..JMJ