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How Do You Witness Jesus AS A Catholic Man?
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How Do You Witness Jesus as a Catholic Man?
By Frank J Casella
Many of us Men who are in sales (aren't we all in sales in some form or way?) know about having an elevator pitch. This is usually a ten-second statement about what we do for a living or the services we provide. Well, guy's, what is your elevator pitch for Jesus? Some people call this your spiritual mission statement.
Back in the day when I was involved with a Business Men's Bible Study, represented by several Christian faiths, there was a saying we had that went something like
"You know a Christian when he walks through a room". So, reflecting on this, how does your life as a Catholic Man serve as a witness to your circle of influence, your co-workers, and as spiritual leader of your family?
For example, one day I was listening to a podcast by Bishop Robert Barron about Evangelizing through Social Media. What it came down to, as he put it, is you don't only look at the comments on your SM posts but, know that for every Comment, Like, or Share there are twenty-five or more who've seen it.
And so goes with walking through a room. If it were Jesus don't you think His presence in a room today would make a statement, no matter if the people in the room knew it where Him or not?
No, you're not Jesus, but, how's it going for you?
For example, when I met St. John Paul II and St. Teresa of Calcutta you could feel 'LOVE' radiate from them. Do people know you're a Christian by your love, as the song goes?
I'm at the point in my life right now where my actions or words that I share from my heart happen to cause a
shock factor, based on the facial expressions of the people around me. Sometimes, as well, God uses others to speak to me in the same way. Because when I walk into a room, or are around others, I pray
"Lord use me to serve You".
The bottom line is, I think, that all of our lives are a work in progress, helping each other make it through life.
It's what our Episcopal Liaison, Bishop Joseph Perry, calls
"intentional discipleship". Do we really love Jesus as a Catholic man, with Christ in our hearts? In other words, is Jesus the center of our life or do we just have good intentions without right-action?
So, what about that elevator pitch ... do you have one? Do you have a life mission statement?
For example, my life mission is
“To be the best version of the Man that God has called me to be, the best husband and father for my family, and to be a ‘real’ person to those around me". A Life Mission is making the Mission Statement personal to the point of living it, eating it, breathing it, sleeping it, etc. (you get the point). It’s transforming Holy Church into Holy Life(style).
If you're interested in how to find your spiritual elevator pitch or mission statement, a good place to start is with cleansing your Soul through Confession. The next step is to work slowly, day-by-day, to develop the Virtues of a Catholic Man. Many of the Saints. for example, transformed their shortcomings into Virtues.
Learn more on the CMCS Website.
Finally, make time to pray each day and ask Jesus to speak to you, and go to Mass on a regular basis. Work to be the spiritual leader in your household (if married) and in the community, and like writer Tom Nash says
"there's no greater and fulfilling a challenge for a man than to be a Catholic".
Men in the church (pews) is seen less than in the football stadium, have you noticed?
Why is that?
What do you think would happen if your love for Jesus was MORE than your love for [enter sport here] ??
And when you're in the stadium, how do you witness Jesus as a Catholic Man?
Frank J Casella is Executive Director of Catholic Men Chicago Southland, and co-founder of Cathoic Chicago Men's Confernece.
Photo:
'The Bike Race - Black and White' © Frank J Casella All Rights Reserved
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You CAN control how you and your family will interact with social media and technology. |
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Please Help Support the Mission of Catholic Men Chicago Southland
We very much rely on recurring donations of $10 or more. As monthly subscriber, you provide crucial stability to help us operate this apostolate. If you are unable to make a recurring donation at this time, please consider making one-time financial donation.
Every donation, large and small helps!
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May God returen to you double for what you share with us! Bishop Perry and the CMCS Team keep you and your family in our prayers, always!
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Bishop Perry on Men and Mass
From the CMCS video archives, Bishop Joseph Perry, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Chicago, and Episcopal Liaison to CMCS, reflects on the importance of Sunday Mass to Catholic men and their families.
This reflection was recorded in Saint James Chapel during the Year of Sunday Mass. |
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