Yesterday, Father Fred Jenga, C.S.C., president of Holy Cross Family Ministries, spoke to my colleagues and me about our history and mission. (It was a comprehensive and inspiring address. One that left me reflecting on the past and encouraged me for the present and the future.)
Part of Father Fred’s address had to do with how each of us can and is needed to play a role in fulfilling our ministry’s mission to help families pray, with the ultimate review coming when one day we stand before God and give an accounting of how we served Him, our families and all that He put in our lives.
I thought of this in light of today’s gospel message from Jesus about what it takes to be His disciples. Jesus couldn’t be any more direct when He says, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.”
We’ve heard that verse many times, but what does it mean for you and me today, this week, month, or year?
First, when it comes to denying ourselves, it doesn’t just mean what we give up for Lent, though that’s a good spiritual practice. Sometimes denying ourselves has to do with avoiding becoming like the people in the first reading from Genesis, who were more concerned with making a name for themselves in the world vs. pleasing God. We can ask ourselves who we are more interested in pleasing, God or my friends, family, classmates, co-workers, etc.? Who comes first?
Secondly, today, most of us can face subtle forms of potential persecution vs. Nero’s Rome or modern-day China and other similar places. In the Western world, many of us face pressure to adjust our words and behavior to win favor and avoid being canceled or criticized.
Think for a moment with complete honesty; how often are we tempted, even in our own families and circle of close friends, to water down the gospel … so that we conform to the political correctness of our time?
I’m not trying to depress or cause you or me to lose hope; in fact, just the opposite. I want us to understand where we are so that we can embrace being disciples of Jesus. As my friend, Father John Uni, says, “let’s keep it real.”
To be a follower of Jesus means we need to not only believe privately but also be willing to confess our faith publicly in our time (Romans 10:10).
To be a follower of Jesus means that we need to stand up and be counted or, as my former teammate used to say, not to “turtle” but stick our neck out, to bravely risk for the good of the team.
If you’re wondering how to begin to talk about our faith, the teachings of Jesus, and His Church, I’d recommend sharing your questions and church teaching with friends who can and do talk freely about them, people who can speak the “Truth in love.”
The more we can share our faith with fellow believers, the better we become at winning people for Jesus. And, as a bonus, our brothers and sisters in the faith build our confidence in handling the slings and arrows that we’ll face.
And, should you feel like you’ve lost relationships or popularity, remember that when we deny ourselves … when we are willing to risk suffering or suffer for Jesus, it’s then that inner transformation takes place and prepares us to enter God’s glory.
May God bless you and your families as we seek to grow in our call to be disciples of Jesus for today!
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