By John Roche

 

When I had first heard of this topic, Living Your Faith in the Public Arena, I couldn’t help but think about some huge battle going on in a massive Coliseum type area.  The more thought I put into the more sense it made.  As Christians, are called to defend our faith from the highest places even if that means in our families, communities and schools.  You might think “John you don’t understand what I’m going through.” Your right, but I can empathize with what you may be going through.  

 

On our Christian journey, because after all that is what life is, we may become disappointed or feel that there is no point in living our faith out, because all we receive is criticism.  Although you may feel this by living your faith, you are putting into practice everything that you hear at Mass on Sundays.  We are called to live out the Gospel in our every day lives, not just say that we are Christians, but show others we are Christians.  

St. Francis of Assisi once said “Preach the Gospel, use words if necessary.”  I can’t help but recall the message in Matthew’s Gospel where Jesus calls us to deny ourselves, pick up our cross and follow Him.  Jesus knew when He asked His disciples to follow Him that the journey would be long and difficult, but that’s what’s so amazing about Jesus, He is always right there with us helping to carry our crosses.  

 

You have taken on the challenge of carrying your cross in your daily life.  Although the journey may be long and hard, we are on it together.  Know that I’ll be praying for you for the weeks ahead.  May God bless all that you do.

 

In Jesus through Mary,

John <><