Tuesday of the Twenty-third Week in Ordinary Time
That is what some of you used to be; but now you have had yourselves washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God (1 Cor 6:11). What could I say about being called and justified? These apostles were called by Jesus directly. How was I called?
I grew up Catholic. I was baptized as an infant, and my mother raised me and my brother in the faith. Yet, it was not until my college years that I feel I truly took ownership of my Catholic faith and identity. Usually, you hear of young people losing their faith in college. I attribute it to the Holy Spirit, ultimately, but it was through the workings of campus missionaries, faith-filled roommates, and my openness and response.
Many Christians who were baptized as infants, or who were dragged to church by their mothers, often do not really “grow up” in the faith. The first step is to personalize and actualize our Baptism: that we are now sanctified, we have been washed, literally and figuratively, in divine mercy and love. Baptism, and all other sacraments, is an outward sign of an inward reality, namely, spiritual redemption. To mature in the faith, one needs to spend time with the scriptures (meditation) as well as to spend time in a faith community (spiritual support)!
What is the purpose of life? Is there a spiritual realm and does God exist? Is there such a thing as truth? Many people today struggle to answer these fundamental questions for themselves. And take ownership of their responses.
Reflection by Br. Luke Kral, OSB
Posted in Articles for Ordinary Time, Daily Reflections