A Note on a Few Basics of the Christian Life

As our Mass readings and liturgical celebrations have moved from Christmas to Ordinary Time, the thrust of our attention is changed from the mystery of God becoming flesh in Christ to Jesus’ ministry and our response to him. Beginning with the Sunday of the Baptism of Jesus and clearly continuing through Weeks III-IV of the year (the present bulletin), the readings serve to remind us of the foundation of our life in Christ: God’s presence in Christ; invitations to respond to God’s “Kingdom” (Presence) here and now; the call to faithful discipleship to Christ; the blessings of the Lord upon his faithful people. As ever happens, the readings and prayers are far richer than anyone can absorb or truly do justice to. In your listening to the readings and homilies at Mass, and in sharing in the prayers and Eucharist, you are given the opportunity to renew your fidelity to Christ, your whole-hearted response to God-in-Christ-Jesus. Christ’s gospel and call to you and to all should not be heard primarily as spoken to members of Christian churches, nor to practicing Jews (Jesus’ people), but to “the poor in spirit,” to human beings who keep learning their need for God’s goodness and truth. To become a disciple of Jesus, and to live as a faithful and maturing disciple, you and I must be open to the action of God in us, and not restrict His action to working within the walls of a church, or to church members. In other terms, there is an “ever-deep-down-freshness” in Christ’s actions and words that should make us wonder, “Am I truly a disciple? Or am I going through the motions of being a church-attending Christian? What is the cost of this discipleship? What is gained by it? Does Jesus actually want me, personally and really, to live as He did? What in my life is out of harmony with fidelity to Christ? What am I doing that truly embodies Jesus Christ in this world, among the people with whom I live and work? Is Jesus Christ really calling me here and now to be a better disciple?” The Gospel stories we hear of the call of the first disciples are meant as examples of what we are to do: Listen, obey, let go of whatever is not according to Christ, follow His lead. We are being drawn to live a life of ongoing conversion, not a once-for-all “I got saved,” or “I found the true Church.” You and I must keep seeking to live in obedience to the indwelling Spirit, who is ever drawing us out of self-enclosed life into an open dialogue with the living God. Faith is required each step of the way, and faith will show itself in love of God, and genuine charity (love) for whomsoever we meet. Faith leaves no man, woman, or child content with their “spiritual life” or “Church membership” as it is. Faith opens one up to the Kingdom, to the Presence of God here and now, and in ways that ever go beyond our understanding, and take us out of our “comfort zones.”  There is nothing ordinary about genuine faith.