What if salt is losing its flavor? What if Christianity is being reduced from a dramatic, intimate, living Faith to a private devotion, a routine, an aside? Instead of going out and making disciples of all nations, we are going out and barely letting the nations know that we ourselves are disciples. Our lives look like everyone else’s.
If we cannot go out the door and live our faith, who will be the light this dark world needs? Our source is Jesus in the Eucharist, but our mission field is our lives. The people in front of us. Will they look at us and see that we are different, that our lives are different? A small number of people converted thousands in one day (Acts 2:41). The same Spirit moves today. The same message holds true today. A message that was just as hard to accept then as it is now.
Are we brave enough to change our lives to follow Him?
Are we certain enough to speak in His name to those around us?
Are we so madly in love that we can’t help but think of Him?
If we are huddled in the upper room afraid, then let us beg for the gift of the Holy Spirit, the bringer of courage, certainty, direction. If we are merely going through the actions, let us beg for the grace of falling in love with Him. If we are living a devout life, let us beg that the graces in our life may spill over into the lives of those close to us.
I have always been resistant to talking about God or religion, even with people I know. To imagine doing so with a stranger was just short of terrifying. Besides, there were others who could do it. And why would it come up? And maybe a few short phrases and a turn of conversation would suffice. I could live my life as a Catholic and love my God and do good things and that was enough. But as God Himself is a relationship, so must we be. And not just a relationship between God and ourselves. He calls us in no uncertain terms to spread the gospel, to share our faith with others, to live as a community. He sends us forth on a mission (Mt. 28:19-20).
A clump of salt is very salty. That is no surprise. But if it stays in a clump, it leaves the rest of the dough bland. Go out, then, and enter your mission field. The one God has specifically chosen for you: the very circumstances you are in now. Those faces you see every day? You were given to them, and they were given to you. The small things you can do, do those. Risk everything. Be salt.
To be “all in” is scary, but God asks for nothing less. Let go of everything. Trust in Him. Your whole life will have to change. What you fill your time with, your time will be filled with. What you fill your mind with, your mind will be filled with. Where your treasure is, there your heart will be (Mt. 6:21). The rich young man was living an outstanding life, following the commandments since his youth (Mk. 10:20). Yet, there was a greater call. What does it mean for you, personally, to sell everything and follow Him? How can you give your two coins? To offer your five loaves and two fish?
This is something I struggle to stay in front of every day. Sometimes it is simply skipping a song I like because it takes the Lord’s name in vain. Changing how I dress, so I don’t spend so much time and energy deciding what to wear or worrying about how I look. Putting away novels, so I have more time for silence and prayer. Giving up television, so the drama and noise it provides doesn’t fill my mind. Not watching football because of the time commitment and emotional impact. Being intentional about having conversations about my faith and God with my children, so they can learn to know and love Him. Going through my possessions because I have too many weighing me down, and there are those in need. Picking up something for the food shelf with every shopping trip to help care for those in need and to link caring for myself and mine with providing for others. Writing this article to share what I have been shown.
To follow Jesus, we are not called simply to avoid the bad; even good things can be distracting. We are called not to do only a few great acts of love and kindness, but many, many small acts every day. As we are each a unique person in a unique situation, our offering may look different than another’s. There is no single path for us all to follow. There is simply the desire to give ourselves completely to God and to do His will. Each of us must spend time with Him and reflect on what that means for us. To ask every day, “Lord, fill me with Your Spirit, that I may do Your will.”
The song “Here I Am, Lord” paraphrases Ezekiel 36:26 saying, “I will break their hearts of stone.” As all too many know, a broken heart is painful. This is not an easy process. But the heart of flesh, the heart for love—it is worth more than anything we could cling to in this world. There is a common refrain in my life when I need to change or let something go: Are You enough? Will You be enough? If I am going to lose this, I need to know that You are enough.
If you believe, your life will change. The best friends you used to drink with may not want to be around you. The people you used to watch sports with may mock and criticize you. The people who are uncomfortable with lived faith will turn away. You will lose people you care about. You will have to give up things you are attached to. You will, at times, sit alone (Jer. 15:17).
We are not promised ease and enjoyment in this life. We are told to expect tribulation (Jn. 16:33). In fact, St. Paul tells us that if we have hope only for this life, we are indeed pitiful (1 Cor. 15:19). So, are you all in? Can you risk living what appears to be a pitiful life here, with your eyes on eternity? Do you believe God loves you and will take care of you? Do you believe it enough to let go of your old life? To let your whole life be shaken and changed? To share with others what you know to be true? God asks for no less.
Be courageous! Your Father loves you. Be motivated and prepared, but do not be overwhelmed. He does not ask you to do it alone. He is patient and merciful, waiting beside you for you to ask for His help. He loves you so much and is so close to you even now. He will not leave you to struggle through this alone, and He is always enough. More than enough. He will grant peace and certainty in the midst of trials and persecutions. He will fill your poverty with joy. He is ready to shower so many graces on you, to walk with you day by day, moment by moment.
And these are but a foretaste of what He has in store for you in Heaven. I am currently going through the most difficult trial of my life, yet I am experiencing greater peace and deeper joy than I ever have before. I want that for you, too.
If you are overwhelmed, angry, eager, at a loss, resistant—start by just sitting with Him: go to Adoration or sit in front of the tabernacle. Let Love be with you and guide you from there.
Photo by Dawn McDonald on Unsplash
