We are Church
The point we must consider is that Jesus did not send out His apostles individually. He sent them in pairs. This means our religious lives are both individual and communal at the same time.
The Church, Father Cusick explains, is the body of Christ not just in receiving his divine life and love, but in giving it as well. Christ sent the Twelve out "two by two" and he also sends us forth. The Church is continually on the mission to evangelize all nations.
And We Are Called
The Church teaches that every person who is baptized and confirmed receives directly from Christ a mandate to share in his prophetic mission. Prophet literally means spokesman.
To this end , Fr. John Foley, S. J. wants to propose that in Christian life the primary motivation for going on a mission is gratitude. You are loved. And ready to be sent.
Our Inability to Cast Out Demons
Four were fishermen. One was a hated tax collector. One a political zealot. There was nothing extraordinary about any of the twelve that Jesus sent out to preach, to heal and to expel demons. They were ordinary people, given instructions to conduct themselves like prophets. And the Word of God worked through them.
But here's the lesson as pointed out by Fr. Ron Rolheiser: We must do more than just point out the right road to others, we must be on that road ourselves. For this reason, the integrity of our private lives and private morals, down to the smallest detail, is the real power behind our words. Archbishop Charles Chaput frames it well during his July 4 homily in Washington DC last week for the closing of the Fortnight for Freedom, "In the end, we're missionaries of Jesus Christ, or we're nothing at all."
So, spend some time this week reflecting on how the Lord has called you to be a disciple. How does Christ make a difference in your life? What has His call demanded of you? Is it possible to be a committed disciple of Jesus, yet still experience weakness and failure? To whom are you being sent, to teach and to heal?
Beyond the Fortnight for Freedom
Related to this, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops urged Congress and the Obama administration to repair flaws to the Affordable Care Act after the U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday issued a decision upholding the law. While Jennifer Fulwiler tackles Gay Marriage as she relates a sincere and honest conversation she had with a male gay friend and his partner.
Elizabeth Scalia responds to people who challenge why we build beautiful churches. She bristles when people talk about “frivolous beauty” or “liturgical pomp.” And when they declare that beautiful things should be stripped down and sold for the poor. She says beauty feeds the soul. And we need our beautiful churches. The poor, Jesus said, we will “always have”. He lived with and for ordinary, struggling people. And though His life, He kept trying to tell us that all of our solutions are not found in money. But we keep missing the point, don’t we?
I've also noticed that often youth ministry leaders seem to be intrigued by the "exciting" youth programs offered by the Protestant churches. Brett McCracken shares "The Perils of 'Wannabe Cool' Christianity" because it offers a truth that the Catholic Church has known and maintained all along. It's really not about the sizzle, it's all about the steak. We think this will be a very enlightening piece for everyone involved in youth ministry.
Top Ten Lists & Some
And you You know how sometimes you’ll be reading the Bible and completely miss something really shocking or interesting? In our semi-gnostic quest for secretive scriptural stuff, Micah Murphy lists 10 Bible verses almost nobody notices. These are the verses (or short clusters of verses) people tend to gloss over when reading the Bible. And he rounds this up with five fun, interesting things most people either didn’t know or simply forgot about the Bible. They miss all the good stuff, but you won’t. Enjoy!
Stories of hope
We bring you this week several stories that will inspire. The first one is about those lone, scruffy figures at intersections and freeway underpasses holding bent cardboard signs, asking for a handout. Marion Fernandez-Cueto talks about a dear lesson she learned at the stop light. Next Tim Drake reflects on one financially tough summer. Unemployed, he tried to shield their children from this reality as best he can. And when his birthday came along, the best present came from his little son who gave him a sealed envelope filled with jingling coins -- all $6.15 of them.
It's Summer Time
And as you walk to that parked car baking in the hot summer sun, think about this. Even with fancy reflecting shades and window tint, leaving a car parked in the sun inevitably turns it into a blast furnace. Jason Fitzpatrick suggests you decrease the amount of time it takes to cool your car off by using this simple six-step process.
Another eventful week in our Catholic World. Have a great and blessed new week.
Keep the Faith. Peace.
Wally Arida
Publisher & Editor in chief
BURNING QUESTION: Why don't Catholics evangelize door-to-door?
FEATURED BLOG: The Perils of 'Wannabe Cool' Christianity
PASTORAL HISPANA: Jesus muestra el camino
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