Fostering Faith … A Crusade For Christ!
Why do you attend Holy Mass each weekend? Would your answer to this question entice others to join you?
We all know someone who has left the Catholic Church for one reason or another. A personal invitation to discuss your love of God is the best way to ask someone to return to the Church. Sharing God’s love for us is the best advertisement for His Church.
There is a billboard on I-465 that reads: “Millions of Americans are living happily without religion.” The picture on the board is a mother with a baby. How can God be factored out of this equation? I do not consider myself much of an activist; but when it comes to my Catholic faith, I would crusade with the best of them. I do, however, believe this organization’s freedom of expression about science and the universe should not be denied – just as fostering our faith with conviction and wisdom is very acceptable and necessary.
We hear a lot of talk about freedom, choice, and human dignity. Paragraph 1730 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church says: “God created man a rational being, conferring on him the dignity of a person who can initiate and control his own actions. God willed that man should be 'left in the hand of his own counsel,' so that he might of his own accord seek his Creator and freely attain his full and blessed perfection by cleaving to him."
In subsequent paragraphs it continues: “By free will one shapes one's own life. Human freedom is a force for growth and maturity in truth and goodness; it attains its perfection when directed toward God, our beatitude. There is the possibility of choosing between good and evil, and thus of growing in perfection or of failing and sinning. This freedom characterizes properly human acts. It is the basis of praise or blame, merit or reproach.”
St. Albert the Great (1206-1280) was the greatest teacher and scientist of the Middles Ages; in fact, he taught St. Thomas Aquinas, another great Doctor of the Church. The knowledge of science has increased exponentially since their time, yet their brilliant writings about sacred and secular science are still invaluable. In scripture we read that Wisdom is a Spirit – intelligent, holy, and unique, loving the good. Wisdom is all-powerful, all-seeing, and pervading all spirits. She passes into holy souls and produces friends of God and prophets. Pray for wisdom! God is our source of light, helping us see what is already present in our lives – especially in our spiritual landscapes. He wants us to see ourselves in the light of his love. “Just as lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one end to the other, so will the Son of Man be in his day. But first he must suffer greatly and be rejected by this generation.” (Luke 17:25) As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. (Josh.24:15)
God’s kingdom is present among us, signs of His love all around us. Faith rests on God’s achievements in history. Christian prayer is collaboration with God’s providence, His plan of love for us. How sad that anyone would miss this great message. This is why evangelization is so important. Our Church is built on the Body of Christ. In the Eucharist we commemorate the Lord’s dying for our sake. It gives us remission of sins and grants the fullness of grace in our lives. The sacrament produces love and union. Jesus said, “Do this in memory of me.” If the Body of Christ is the reason you participate in Holy Mass every weekend, then you have the sufficient grace to join the crusade for Christ. Soldiers, invite others to join you! “For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours, now and forever.” Amen!
