Sep 24 Tue
What does it mean to be a Christian?
"Being a Christian is not just about personal satisfaction; it involves a mission..."
"Being a Christian is not something trivial; it is a divine reality that deeply affects our lives. It gives us a clear vision, and strengthens our resolve to act following God's will. Therefore, we understand that as Christians, our journey in the world must be characterized by continual service in various forms, tailored to individual circumstances but always motivated by love for God and our neighbor."
"Being a Christian means letting go of petty goals of personal prestige and ambition, and even more noble objectives like philanthropy and compassion for the misfortunes of others. It means setting our minds and hearts on attaining the fullness of love that Jesus Christ demonstrated by dying for us."
"Some individuals tend to view Christianity as a collection of religious practices, failing to recognize their interconnectedness and their relevance to everyday life, including the urgent need to meet the needs of others and address injustice. The Son of God took on human form, with body, soul, and voice; he shared our fate, even to the extent of experiencing the excruciating anguish of death. Yet, perhaps unknowingly, some people regard Christ as a stranger in the world of humanity."
"Others tend to believe that to remain human, we must downplay certain fundamental aspects of Christian principles. They act as if a life of prayer and a continuous relationship with God means avoiding responsibilities and abandoning the world. However, they forget that it was Jesus himself who showed us the extent to which we should go in love and service. Only by seeking to understand the mystery of God's love, a love that even led to death, can we fully dedicate ourselves to others and not allow difficulties or indifference to overcome us."
The path to becoming co-redeemers with Christ is through the Cross. "We are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him." We too must reach this point through suffering.
Love then captures the soul and leads it gently and quietly to complete self-denial. Through this self-giving, the soul is purified, cleansed, divinized. "Our Lord asks for generous hearts that are truly detached. We will achieve this by firmly breaking the strong bonds and subtle threads that tie us to ourselves. I won't hide from you that this requires a constant struggle, surpassing our intellect, and will, a renunciation that, honestly, is more challenging than giving up the most prized material possessions."
Marvel at Mary's steadfastness, and ask her to grant you some of that steadfastness, so that you too may know how to stand by the Cross. In this way, you will be living through Christ, with Christ, and in Christ. Only then will you truly be a Christian apostle.
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