What Do We Glorify in Professing?
Not long ago, we were dining at home and discussing what it means to be a faithful Catholic in today’s world. We were reflecting on an event in which a person, who is also Catholic, expressed an open view about the possibility that the true path to salvation might be found in a religion other than Christianity, suggesting that since our religion is just one among many, perhaps at the end of life we may discover that the truth lies elsewhere outside the Catholic Church.
This comment surprised us at first, but last Sunday’s Gospel, John 20:19-31, reminded us that, like Thomas, we all have doubts about our beliefs at one time or another. It is this doubt that causes us to dig deeper and solidify our faith. St. Josemaría Escrivá, founder of Opus Dei, expressed this notion when he said, “Ignorance [of the fundamental truths of our religion] is the greatest enemy of our faith, and at the same time the greatest obstacle to carrying out the redemption of souls.” He also said, “We must spread the truth, because veritas liberabit vos (John 8:32), the truth makes us free, while [our own] ignorance enslaves.” It is for this reason that we would like to use this event to offer a space for questioning our faith.
To do this, let’s consider for a moment what we profess like parrots at Mass every Sunday and what we should pause to meditate on and implement in our daily lives: “I believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages.” Do we truly believe this in our minds and hearts, or do we simply repeat it because the priest indicates that it’s time to “renew” our faith? From here, we pose the following question: What does it mean to be Christian and why are we called to defend and proclaim our faith? According to St. Josemaría, to be Christian means to be continually “striving towards holiness, naturally and simply, living in the middle of the world dedicated to one’s work and family, sharing in the needs and interests of one’s neighbor and society, and respecting the freedom and dignity of every person.”1 In addition, for him, “Every Christian can and should be a living expression of faith.” Likewise, we have the same command from our Lord: “Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation.” (Mark 16:16)
As we go forth to proclaim the good news today, we see how the world is polarized in many aspects: right or left, conservative or liberal, etc. Similarly, in the Church, we see groups of conservatives, traditionalists, progressives, and liberals, among others. Yet, God wants us to be unified, not divided! That’s why we must fully believe in our faith – the faith of the Church – and glory in professing Christ as our Lord.
This begs the question: How can we live as true Catholics? Well…by being faithful to the Pope and praying for him and by fulfilling the Commandments out of love. As Psalm 119:33-34 says, “Show me, Lord, the way of your decrees, and I will follow it to the end. Give me understanding, so that I may keep your law and obey it with all my heart.” Also. by living a life steeped in the sacraments, especially Confession and the holy sacrifice of the Mass, we live out our faith. Is this too much to ask?
Let us be just with our God and just as we cry out to Him for comfort and assistance. Let us also give Him what He deserves. May our lives be an altar to God, and may our deeds adorn the faith that He gives us through the grace of His Spirit.
The Church offers us many paths to heaven or salvation in its variety of charisms, but all forming one body, the Mystical Body of Christ, that is, all united in the same faith, in the same heart. Jesus asks us, as He asked the Twelve: “Do you also wish to go away?” Let us respond with the words of the Apostle, Peter: “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” (John 6:67-68) Only in Christ and through Christ can we Catholics enter the kingdom of heaven. As true Catholics, we are called to believe it, live it, and proclaim it. Our only Lord is Jesus Christ, and our only way to eternal life is through this same Lord, the only Son of God, born before all time. Let us keep in mind the sign of the ashes on our foreheads and let us live every day the words spoken to us when they are imposed: “Repent and believe in the gospel.”
Mary, Mother of the Church, full of grace and model of Christian life, we entrust our lives to you and ask that you assist us on our path, so that we may be beacons of faith, hope and love in this secularized world.
Lumen Christi, Deo Gratias.
Juan and Sofia were born into Catholic families in Colombia, South America. They met on Juan’s Patron Saint Feast Day, Saint John Bosco, January 31st and recently got married on the 31st of July. Both have encountered Jesus in their lives and decided to follow him with great commitment.
Juan is a Political Scientist and also a great golfer. He works in the Wine and Spirits Industry.
Sofia is a commercial real estate lawyer and works at her family-owned business. They currently live in Cali, Colombia.
Juan and Sofia are increasingly passionate about the apostolic mission with the youth and young professionals. They are committed to showing the love of God and his mysteries through the beauty of the sacrament of marriage and friendship. Both have lived their conversion through different spiritualities within the Church, such as the charismatic renewal, parish groups (Emaus and Effeta), Mana (a self-founded apostolic group) and Opus Dei. This last one is currently where both congregate and receive all their spiritual formation and guidance. Although they have much to learn, they are eager to share their testimony with all the readers.
