It's a verb

Readings for Tuesday May 5, 2009

First Reading: Acts 11:19-26

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 87

Gospel: John 10:22-30

"For a whole year they met with the Church and taught a large number of people, and it was in Antioch that the disciples were first called Christians."  (Acts 11:26)

It was in Antioch that the disciples were first called Christians.  This is where there started to be a real difference between the Jews and the followers of Jesus, now they were even called by a different name.  Why did the other people begin calling them Christians in the first place?  Was it a certain hat or shirt that they all wore?  Perhaps they all had a certain piece of jewelry on that distinguished them.  Maybe there was a secret handshake that these Christians had that made them stick out.  While all of these things may be good guesses, I can guarantee you that it wasn't because of anything these disciples had or anything about them that made them Christian ... it was because of who they followed and the things that they did that made them Christian.  

The same should hold true for us today.  Being a Catholic is not about the things that we have or the way we look, it is about what we do.  I once heard a priest say during a homily that "being Catholic is not a noun or nationality, it is a verb."  Being Catholic requires action on our part, it means living for Christ and not ourselves and going out in this world and modeling the same exact behavior that Christ did and told us to.  If we can do that then we too can proudly call ourselves Catholic.  

Being Catholic is a verb.  

Father above thank you for the gift of this day.  Lord Jesus give us the strength and perseverance to run and finish this earthly race that you call us to.  Lord, help us to go out and serve you with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Lord, we thank you and give you praise for all that you bless us with.  Be with all those who are in need of conversion and truth in their lives.  We ask this all through Christ our Lord.  Amen.