When I first started this web page a number
of my friends, and even family, were a bit surprised. I don’t remember
any exact comments but what it came down to was they thought I was getting “too religious”. Mmmm, too religious…Is there such a thing? At one time
I may have thought the same thing, I may even have accused others of the same thing.
But all of these people know me, most fairly well, and would have to admit that I am the same fun, loving and occasionally
partying person that I have always been. Can one be too smart? I wouldn’t think so. They have just grown in their intellectual
knowledge. I think those of us that fall into the “too religious”
group have just grown in our faith and continue to grow daily. As one grows in
their faith they come to realize that faith isn't something you 'show', it is something you live, and in living it you
can't help but share it with others. Actually I was a bit upset when some showed surprise and commented
on me having a spiritual web page. I was not upset at them, no! I was upset with
myself that these people who I knew so well did not know this part of me. Why,
I ask myself, have I found it necessary to hide or at the very least not share this part of my life with them. The part that God above all wants me to share with others. Mt
5:15, 16 says “Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives
light to everyone in the house. 16In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good
deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” Think about that. What good would a candle be in a dark room, if the electricity went out, but we kept it to ourselves. Others around us would be stumbling about in the dark and may even get hurt. Our faith is a light to be shared with others, to help them out of the darkness and
lead them to Christ. Left in the dark their soul may be hurt by sin, when we
could have helped to prevent that had we shared our light. I didn’t make
up this analogy, God did and he is saying it today to you and me. Francis Fernandez
says it so well when he wrote “He asks us to give the kind of example that stimulates others and wins them over. Because of this it is not enough for us to live Christ’s doctrine interiorly. Any faith that lacked external manifestations would be false. Christians must never give others to understand, because of their passivity, through their not wanting
to commit themselves, that they do not hold their faith to be the most important thing in their lives, or that they do not
consider the Church’s teaching a vital element in their modes of behaviour”.
I have had it said to me “I am just not that kind of a person, I keep my faith to myself”. I hate to break it to you but your faith is not yours to keep to yourself. Faith is a gift from God, a gift that he gives to you to grow in and share.
You say – “I’m not that kind of a Christian.”? Guess
what, there is no other kind of Christian. A true Christian is one who openly
lives their lives for Christ and lives it to bring others closer to Him. I
am not condemning anyone who feels this way, or telling you that it is wrong to feel this way.
I am only pointing out that you are “young in your faith” It
is up to you to choose to grow in your faith and in choosing to do so you will find it becomes a part of your everyday life.
The perks are great too! You find new friends that share your faith, and you grow closer to God!
Yes, it is kind of scary. You worry what others are going to think and
say. Hey, you don’t have anything to worry about. John the Baptist had to worry about losing his life. He and
other martyr’s gave their lives to spread their faith. We are lucky that
we don’t have to worry about that. Here’s a couple of small,
little ways to get you started. Next time you are at the store or where ever,
and you go to leave, instead of saying “Have a nice day!” Say “Have
a blessed day!” Or the next time someone asks you "How are you?" answer by saying
"I am blessed" You’ll be surprised at the smiles that brings. It
openly shows and shares your faith. Don’t worry about being “too
religious”. If St. Peter is giving an exam at the gates of heaven, you’ll
ace it!
Have a Blessed Day!!
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