Have You Given Your Life to Jesus?

Have you given your life to Jesus?  That is truly an important question, but a positive answer to that question is like Baptism, only a start on the life-long path to BE LIKE Jesus, as we will fully attain in heaven.  And that journey, from a commitment to change to a happy ending, is a long one, one that many fail at, many fall along the way, and many get lost.  There are remarkable saints who have made that journey alone --- well, alone except for the grace of God, which is no small support --- but most of us need help for the journey.  We need friends on the same journey.  We need to grow our minds, to educate ourselves how and most importantly why to make this journey, from our own earthly woes and cares, to His.

The call to visible, group commitment is seen early in Scripture when Moses tells the Jews to mark their doorposts so the angel of death might pass them by.  Why did God ask them (through Moses) to do that?  Didn’t He know where His people lived?  He did it to have them participate in His saving actions; they did it together; He didn’t dictate it.  It was a visible commitment to Him, but it was also visible for them to see among each other.  Why do sacraments all have us come forward, to voice participation and commitment in front of our community?  Couldn’t God just forgive us our sins, give us graces, hear us when we pray our commitments to Him?  Why must we even go to church, or even get out of bed?  Couldn’t He do all of His wonders while we laid back?  Of course He could; He is God --- but we are not.  That is why we need the visible commitments, to support each other in our journeys; we need to grow more like Him, so that we might at some point say like Paul “It is not I but Christ who lives within me.”  We need friends for the journey, for “where 2 or 3 are gathered in my name, I am there.”  We need to join groups to support us, to walk with us.

Our journey is never to late to start, but we must also be diligent in helping the young in their start.  The personal verbal commitment to “give your life to Jesus” is not unlike the commitment a child might make to his parents to always go to church on Sunday.  But as studies now show, a huge portion of young people entering college never go to church on Sunday again, not even on that first college weekend!  Any earlier commitments to Jesus or to their parents are quickly forgotten when they are alone (as even some adults feel).  Many commitments the young made as children are quickly forgotten when they become, or feel, totally in control of their lives.  For the first time, freedom!  Freedom to do what they want, and to experiment, to try to figure out what that is.  And for many, what they want is freedom itself, to do anything they want with no one telling them of consequences.  That “I give my life to Jesus” put them on a path, but now when walking alone, it is easy to “stop and smell the roses along the way,” and to get lost in the forest of options.  In college, many drop any prior commitments they made, leaving themselves totally unprepared for life beyond college, where commitments define who you are.

It's like I wrote in an earlier blog posting, about the poor people invited to the wedding feast of the king.  They made a commitment saying they wanted to go to the king’s feast.  But that commitment to answer the king’s call is also a commitment to change --- to leave the streets where they lived “as they wanted”, to don the wedding garments to get ready for the feast, and then to get into the right mindset for the feast, to take part in the King’s joy, not just eat his food.  It is one thing to speak of a superficial commitment; it is a REAL commitment, however, to change your heart, to want to always be with the King, to always seek as your primary goal in life to please Him, to desire to be at His eternal banquet always, to turn from that “freedom to do anything I want on my street corner” to instead use that freedom to choose to be what and where He wants you to be --- always with Him.

And as with the college experience example, it is tough to go it alone, thinking freedom means “to do anything I want” versus “anything I ought to do”.  We need others to help us make and keep that commitment, to continue to stay on the path.  In most colleges there are Catholic or Christian support groups, like FOCUS.  They help young people to stay on the path by offering support and education in how to keep to The Path, and why.  But that type of support should have started long before college.  Most younger people have no relationship with Jesus, even in our parishes.  They don’t know Him or feel Him a part of their life, so it’s very easy to ignore Him when they leave home and start college.  They need to form stronger commitments to Him while younger.  We need to help them.  The doubling of young suicides in recent years shows how alone the young feel ---- despite their internet “friends” who “like” them.

I personally saw a Catholic altar call once at a weekend conference I attended.  The priest speaker was talking about vocations, and the importance of seriously, seriously asking God at some point: “What would You want me to do with my life?  Why was I created?”  Now the speaker could have said “Will you commit your life to Jesus?” and everyone would have shouted back “Yeh!” and the talk would have ended on a high note.  But what he actually did was ask “Will you commit to spend some time asking Jesus, seriously, ‘What do you want of me, Lord?’  Will you come up here, to this stage, now, and in front of all these people and make that serious commitment?  I’m not asking you to commitment to be a priest or a nun, I’m asking you to commit to seriously asking God ‘What do You want, Lord?’  Will you come up here and just make that commitment to ask God?”  It was an altar call, and well over 100 young people came up and were prayed over.  But that wasn’t the end.  The next day I saw in the various displays outside the conference auditorium some religious order displays, and I noticed some had sign-up sheets for “discernment weekends” at their religious house.  One told me they now had four weekends full, and that I could put my name on a waiting list if I wanted, until they figured out when they could hold more discernment weekends.  (Coincidently (?) I noticed on my parish bulletin board this weekend that the Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist are planning 4 discernment weekends in Ann Arbor.)

There is a lack of vocations?  All someone had to do was ASK for a serious commitment to investigate vocations and provide support for those who might answer, showing them that they weren’t answering alone, and the people came forward.  We need to build support structures for all young people to learn to learn their faith, to make commitments to God, to develop a relationship with Him where they can confidently talk to Him.

I think parishes need to initiate something like that altar call, a means for young people to commit, together, that they’ll learn who Jesus is, how He really exists in the Eucharist, and how He would have them live their lives.  They need ongoing support groups as they grow up, like weekly teen nights and masses, and Catholic summer camps.  They need parish exposure --- and prayers --- that these kids are making commitments to a Catholic life, as God planned for them.  And the parish support needs to reach out and stay connected even when kids go away to college.  We need parishes that support community and family, not places where people “might” come on Sunday.

I’ve seen parishes like this.  We need to change our parishes to be like this.  We can “give our life to Jesus”, but it’s hard to walk alone.  That singular commitment is not enough, albeit a good start, to really make a difference in a life, or in this world.  It needs to be the Primary thing we teach our kids; it needs to be the primary focus of OUR lives.  Young or old, we need to know why we exist, what our life --- and sufferings --- are about.  We need to develop a relationship with Jesus.  It needs to start early, but it is never too late.

I myself echo St. Augustine’s words: “Late have I loved Thee O Beauty, ever ancient, ever new; late have I loved Thee”.

- - - - - - - - - -

I would strongly urge any who could, to read some of the articles in the September 1 edition of the National Catholic Register newspaper.  They should be on the Internet somewhere.  There are a number of articles on restoring belief in the Eucharist and how the Church combats the loneliness of young adults.  They are very well written.

And as for this blog post, it is only words I have had in my heart for a number of months, but there is more.  My next post will address the further parts of the journey to Christ, parts which many never attempt, but to which God calls me.  We CAN move beyond knowing Jesus --- a head knowledge --- to having Jesus in our hearts.  We can know Him as St. Paul did.

A Safe Place On College Campuses

I know I recently wrote concerning my frustration at events occurring on our college campuses.  I fear the foundations of our society are being openly undermined by professors who teach that our country’s history, our churches, and even our families are an evil invading the personal freedom of our college students --- and they must take their freedom back, “to be whoever they want to be, to pursue their own truths.” 

And, as the professors teach, anyone who disagrees with that is hateful of them, or –phobic of their ideas.

So, you can imagine that I felt more than a little surprised, recently, when I found myself agreeing with those words being so emphatically proclaimed on many a college campus today:  “We need a safe place,” one where we can go to get away from those people who obviously don’t love us or respect us, or our freedom.

And, after thinking on it, I agree with their words.

Now, I grant you that my initial reaction WAS negative to this idea.  Their cries sounded like some overly-sensitive students whining: “Mommy, somebody hurt me.”  And I reacted with sarcastic comments and laughter, and even perhaps a bit of pity. But after I thought about it some, I realized I was being judgmental AND sexist to their words.  For when I changed their cry to: “Daddy, somebody hurt me” I suddenly saw things in a new light.

It indeed IS right to want a place to go to for safety, a place where you know are loved, a place you feel safe.  This desire is deep within our very soul (regardless of what some college professors may try to teach our brains).  This desire for safety is one we were made with.  And, it is not a new feeling, nor is the place these students seek new.  That safe place has always existed, and been called a sanctuary, and for many thousands of years THE place for sanctuary was known as a church.

So:  our college kids by their own words are calling for the building of more churches on the college campuses!!  I agree!!  I’d even agree they should be built with state money.  I’d even agree that perhaps attendance at morning churches should be mandatory, and perhaps even mandatory prayers at the start of each class.

After all, we need to protect our kids ---- with God’s help.  Our kids are calling out for the building of a place of safety; but it’s already there on many campuses, or just down the block. 

Just ask mommy or Daddy about it.    

Why don’t our college professors teach them that?

Teaching Children Virtue

My tasks this day will keep me from my usual Friday mass time, so after the men’s Bible Study this morning I rushed to attend the 8AM mass at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, in Plymouth Michigan.

Fr. John Riccardo celebrated the mass today, and his short sermon was a new idea for me, so now I record it here so as not to forget.  (You can download many of his sermons and talks from the parish website, as millions of people from around the world have done.)  Today Fr. John spoke about going to the movies as being a family teaching moment.

“After the movie,” Fr. John said, “I suggest that you ask your kids:  What virtues or vices did you see in the movie?”  As an example, he asked the church:  “What virtue or vice was shown in today’s Old Testament reading, where Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers?”  Many answered correctly:  envy.  He then went on to give a clear definition of envy, and examples.

“Then,” he said: “You should ask your children what are the opposite vices or virtues to those seen in the movie, and how can we avoid those vices, or grow those virtues?”  Talking about a movie in this way goes beyond just describing what happened in the movie, but addresses WHY things happened.  Talking about movies can be great teachable moments for your children.

But, of course, in order to teach your children you have to understand what the virtues and vices are yourself, and even how they are in your own life.  The parish offers books, CDs, and a number of talks here, especially during Lent. 

We want to teach you, for you are part of our family.

            - - - - - - - - - -

I have had many teachable moments myself, of late.  My prayers seem more intense, more open discussions and sharing between God and I.

I was praying the Glorious Mysteries of the rosary the other night, and had reached the Second Glorious Mystery, the Ascension, when I read the following phrase and began to meditate on it:

Going, but staying.  With me always.  With me in this Eucharist.

And then I looked up and pondered the large host on the altar in front of me.

The Eucharist is a great, often unappreciated gift of God, not like some gift toy to play with but a deeply useful gift, like a warm wool coat in a cold climate.  As we face the cold of the world, the Eucharist we receive that day protects us like a woolen coat.  We rarely think about that, but then, that is what a gift given to you in love does.  It is a gift that the Giver knows you need, even if you don’t appreciate it.  It’s a gift a Father would give.  He took His Son into heaven while letting Him stay here, in this Eucharist, for us, because He loves us.

I said the Hail Mary prayer on the bead, and went on to the next bead and meditation:

I am never alone, for You are one with me.

I can never ponder the Ascension without considering the soon-coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.  With the graces of the Holy Spirit and with the Eucharist, I realize God has never really left me when He ascended to heaven.  I am never alone.

A love I feel, I need not see to believe

I looked up again, and stared at the host.  I saw it, but I didn’t really see what it was, Who it was, but like my thoughts on the warm coat, I know it is a love I feel.

I smiled and considered:  It looks as if the Lord and I have many thoughts to share and consider on this cold this night, as I pray this rosary prayer.  And so we continued to speak in silence, as good friends do, when no words are necessary.

And the time, a good time, flew by unnoticed.

Review of New Christmas Books

I just finished reading two books released for the holiday season by authors who seem to be setting themselves up as “Christmas authors,” each having written stories set in the season at least once before. Glenn Beck’s new book, The Snow Angel, follows on his book The Christmas Sweater. Richard Paul Evans new book, Lost December, follows on his books The Christmas List, Finding Noel, The Christmas Box Miracle, and of course the hugely successful The Christmas Box. I liked all of their prior works, and was not surprised to find I liked these two also.

Both of these authors write books that are relatively short (large print, small pages, lots of white space), and have short chapters. Beck’s 270-page book has 18 chapters, and Evan’s 341 page book has 51 chapters. The plots in each are relatively simple and easy to follow, not involving huge numbers of characters or scene changes. The short chapters coupled with the colorful artwork highlighting chapter changes are visually attractive. I believe these books would be ideal Christmas presents for teens or near-teens, who might be prone to short attention spans. If they read at all, the books should hold their interest and, perhaps most importantly, present a moral message to them that comes across loud and clear. They will make young minds think --- most assuredly a good thing. I have already written a dedication on The Snow Angel to my Goddaughter, who will receive it this year.

The dust cover describes The Snow Angel as “a poignant tale about family, forgiveness, and the freedom to live a future free of the past.” The lead character, Rachel suffered an abusive childhood, and then fell into an abusive marriage. She shields her young daughter Lily from the tragic parts of her life, and her father, but the daughter sees and understands, perhaps better than Rachel, what is going on. The story walks through their coming to know that other people care, and that the past doesn’t have to define the future. And at the end, old memories are stirred, in Rachel and in an Alzheimer’s patient at a local nursing home. And both come to realize that there was much good in their past, if only they can remember. And the bad parts were in the past, and they can stay there.


Lost December is a modern tale of the Parable of the Prodigal Son. The main character, Luke, leads a blessedly sheltered, yet full life. Working at his father’s business at a very young age he quickly advances to be a very astute manager in his national business chain. After college, Luke plans to take over the business he knows so well, but his father insists he attend graduate school first, to get his advanced degree and “see the world”. And so he goes off to Wharton, living far away from home for the first time. And he is rather quickly taught many things about “the world” which he did not know. Graduating, and with a million dollar trust fund he returns home to tell his father he does not want to return to run his business, but rather to go out and “see the world,” traveling around it with college friends.

Evans goes on to tell the story of Luke’s travels and of his “friends”. Luke learns the ways of the world which he did not previously understand --- and learns that all is not good there. And he also learns that “friends” are not just people you hang around with, but that true friends are few and far between. Luke quickly wastes his money and in the end is broke and homeless. But of course, that is not the end.

Evens tells a very believable tale that reminds young and old alike that life is not just fun and games, nor should it be. And also that the best things you ever receive in this world are the things you work for. And that family, love and loyalty are of most importance.

I would give either of these two books, or both, to someone young or old --- or buy them for myself and just nestle down on the couch near the tree, and enjoy a present to myself this Christmas. I read both of these quick-reads once, but I just may do so again.