Well, we are.
But how can we how are supposed to model Christ do so in a way that is a little more specific than simply WWJD. I mean, when was the last time you could predict what Jesus would do anyway?
- Love the law. I don't mean that you should love the law more than the person, but recognize the limits, and realize that they give you great freedom. You don't have to worry about doing anything wrong if you are able to work within the limits of what right and wrong are. People love to complain that the Church teaches all these things that you can't do. Think of it instead as the boundaries of the vast area of space where you can play. Now go have fun.
- Moderate. Practice moderation because in the end, that is going to be key to what you do. Don't eat everything just because you can. Practice discipline to make difficult decisions and stick to them.
- Remember the start. I see this all the time and it is frustrating to me. People with great hearts who have learned about their faith thinking that they can convert people with high theology. Most people just want a hug. Remember your own conversion. It was probably a lot simpler than what you are trying to lay on people at the moment and there were probably a lot of little moments that led up to it. Be one of the little moments.
- Church doors aren't that big. If your head can't fit through because you think everyone is there for you, then you are going to not example Christ all that much. Granted, it WAS all about Christ, but for everyone else, it was about Christ too. Not them. When approaching someone about the faith, recognize that they are really thinking about themselves. Most of us think about ourselves all the time. Now once you are over yourself, just share Christ.
- It's the experience of prayer. In the end, it is the experience of meeting Jesus in prayer. This is where knowing the person is important. It also means that you must be having meaningful experiences of prayer yourself. It isn't a matter of you manipulating and forcing the issue. Just present opportunities for Christ to be present and let God (you know, the one who made the Universe) do the heavy lifting.
- It's HIStory. We are all part of a big story that is Salvation History. Learn to tell that story because we are all a part of it. Christ did so on the way to Emmaus and constantly referred to the story during His ministry.
- Relationships, Not Drapes. Sure it may be great that you are creating the most exciting environment but at the end of the day that is all being created to enable people to embrace relationships. If we are not engaging in relationships with people then we are missing the mark.
- It's the dogma, not the discipline. There are lists of people who work all day trying to convince other people that THEIR discipline of Catholicism and Christianity is the only way to pray and to worship. I happen to think that is a waste of time. It's more important for us to talk about the truth of Jesus and those very real teachings that bind us together as human beings. The dogma is the salad, the discipline the dressing. I like bleu cheese.
- Choose Heaven. All the time. Make it clear that is what you are about and what you are doing. Choose sainthood. Desire sainthood. Recognize that we aren't there yet. At least I'm not. If you are, then congratulations. I will now turn the entire site over to you.
- Continue to learn. This isn't a one shot deal. We continue to learn from the people around us and from the Lord who made us. Practice drawing others to Christ. Practice the Moderation needed. Practice the discipline, telling the story. Repeat. Note that during practice, most people fail.
Know that I am praying for you.
