When looking at Christianity from the outside,
I always focused on all the things that I would have to give up… I felt like that wealthy fellow who asked
Jesus what else he could do to follow Him and Jesus said, “Sell all your possessions
and give everything you have to the poor…”
That fellow had a serious internal battle because it seemed like Jesus
was asking for too much of him. The first
couple of years (when I just warmed the bench at Mass) my thoughts matched that
rich fellow who walks away from Jesus sad and dejected because he knows that
he’s not ready for such a big change. I
was so focused on the things that I would have to give up to realize all the
blessings that I would gain from trusting God. I had this naïve view about Catholics, I
thought the women wore longs skirts, hated sex and partying and were boring
imitations of one another. In my case,
at the time, I was just focused on the lifestyle changes that needed to occur
if I was going to leave my bench and follow Christ. Years later I must admit that the changes
that occurred in my lifestyle were small compared to the goodness that I gained and that’s why I want to write about what a Christian life looks
like. I am not a saint nor close to it-
I am a sinner who God loves so much that He smiles at my mistakes and progress; but, accepts
me today as I am - blemishes and all.
Am blessed we have Perpetual Adoration at my parish.
My
Catholic life is anything but boring, and though I do live my life with a high moral standard I am still very much Penny.
I try to go to Mass every Sunday and have deleted profanity from my
speech. I listen to worship music, study
the Bible, the Catechism of the Catholic Church and read books about my faith
as well as attend seminars. I try to go
to Adoration once a month, pray daily and go to confession. I am also involved in service activities, my
church community and over all try to be a better human being. I am chaste and try not to abuse alcohol or
any other drugs… Just to be clear I fall
all the time, there are Sundays when I skip on Mass or I forget my drinking limit and
get drunk. I have my favorite sins, but
luckily going to confession helps me clear the slate and try again at living a
life in imitation of Christ.
I try reading the complete Bible every year or at least the New Testament.
The
above description of my life might sound very difficult, but the secret is why I do it. For example, when I love a man I want to do things
that will make him happy and avoid things that hurt him. I might write him poetic notes, or cook him
a yummy dinner or help him out with something that he needs. I talk to him endlessly or just enjoy being
in his company – if I hurt his feelings or mess up I am quick to reconciliate. The people that he cares about become people
that I care about by association… The
big thing with love and keeping it alive is that it requires actions by the people
involved. In the same way, when we
choose to change our lifestyle one small bit at a time it’s a reaction to our
love for God “for love without works is dead.” That’s why I decided that a lifestyle post
needed to occur in this space as encouragement because if I am able to attempt
to live a Christian life then I know you can too and it’s ok to
fall and dust yourself off and try again (smile).
Adoration: spending time in the presence of my Lord.
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