Passion

by David Lins  |  05/01/2022  |  (Being) Catholic Matters

There are topics people are so passionate about that the mere mention elicits a landslide of opinion and thought. It is as if some unsuspecting innocent wandered a bit too close and set off a bomb.

I know someone who feels that way about firearms. I know another friend who feels that way about Star Wars. I know several friends who feel that way about their football team. And yes... I know too many who feel that way about politics.

I could NEVER know enough who feel that way about Jesus Christ and the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church he founded.

In today’s first reading, Peter and the apostles were given strict orders to stop teaching in the name of Jesus.

Do you think they complied? Do you think they were even capable of complying? No chance. Like a crazed Packer fan obsessing over this year’s first round pick or your friend who can’t go more than a few hours without being enraged by Fox News or MSNBC—only so much more righteous as this passion—the passion that fuels evangelization. And we know that passion has a name. A holy name. The Holy Spirit.

Peter said, “We must obey God rather than men.”

No. They wouldn’t stop. They couldn’t stop. The Holy Spirit wouldn’t let them. And it won’t let us—if we remain people of prayer, of the sacraments, and of the Lord.

Put simply, we should NEVER be more eager to talk about hobbies, entertainment, sports, or politics, than we are eager to talk of our Faith.

And this is the great test for us. Where do we spend our emotions? Our time? Our words?

Our recent mission speaker (Gina Bauer) put it this way: “In a world where the majority are obsessed with acknowledging God and keeping their eyes on the enemy, we must acknowledge the enemy, but keep our eyes fixed on the Lord.”

May we all ask the Holy Spirit to fill us so that we may spread the Faith to a world so desperately in need.

Comments, concerns, questions? Email David at dlins@oloj.org

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