Use Your Soles to Reach Souls

Really wanting to is what makes the difference. As Christians, do we just go through the motions or do we really want to follow Christ? Are we content with our contributions or do we really want to give our all?

Mary Walsh, a Lay Pastor from Queen of Angels in Alpine, Calif. recently attended a conference. An Auxiliary Bishop attending the conference spoke to the group and stated, "GET OUT OF YOUR PEWS....AND INTO YOUR SHOES!"

Are we really willing to put that thought into practice?

We are commanded in Scripture to "Go ye...."...To go out into the world and share the Good News of Jesus Christ. In my opinion, it is not only wrong but counter productive to think we can fulfill our Christian obligation with a mere 45 minutes on Sundays (an hour in some churches). We have no choice as true Christians. We must actively try to be living examples of Christ’s word here on earth. We must be willing (really willing) to get out of our pews and into our shoes.

The first step is believing. I heard someone comment the other day on the importance of knowing God, believing in God — knowing Jesus, believing in Jesus. I asked myself — is that enough? To be a Christian, is it enough just to know or believe in God, or is it just a first step.

Afterall, the Devil knew God. Scripture tells us that the Devil argued with God. Scripture also tells us that the Devil knew Jesus... that the Devil tempted Jesus.

Since the Devil knew and believes in the existence of God and Jesus, does that then make the Devil a Christian?  Of course not.

Does just knowing and believing in God and Jesus make US Christians? I don’t think so — even though scripture again tells us, quoting Jesus, "He that believeth in Me shall have eternal life." I believe that believing is the first step.

I feel that to believe in Jesus is to believe in His teachings — to follow His word — to attempt, daily, to walk in harmony with Jesus by our side — to see in everyone we meet the face of our Lord. A process that we must constantly work through.

I was told that as a Catholic I should stay away from publicly encouraging people to have a personal relationship with Christ. ...that that phrase sounds "Protestant" and would "turn-off" many Catholics. Well, I was born and raised Catholic. I love my Church and yet I strongly believe we must encourage those around us, even our fellow Catholics, to begin or continue a personal relationship with Jesus Christ — to accept as and to call Jesus, LORD.

I believe then, and only then, do we truly believe in Jesus. And that is what separates our type of believing from that of the Devil’s.

So I encourage you to smile. After all, with Jesus, there is true love and true hope — And you, with the help of Jesus, can literally and figuratively move mountains (but only if you really want to). The next step, after accepting Jesus as Lord, is to "get out of your pews and into your shoes" — and then encourage others to do the same.

Respectfully in Christ,

Mark Price