Men's Rosary

The saying, “what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas,” is well known. I visited the city once and was not impressed. While there were many grand things to see and good things going on, the general feel was one of “yuck” for me. There was much evil in the air and wrong going on. Many understand this and hence the saying. Wrong is done in the dark and does not want to be exposed, while good is done in the light for all to see and desires to be exposed. “For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it many be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.” (John 3:20-21)

Ironically, there seems to be a similar behavior in church. Too often, what happens in church, stays in church, even though it is good. It is as if it becomes a safe space to gather once a week, to feel good about ourselves, socialize and then its off to business as usual when we go out the doors and back to “life.” This is not the call of the Christian. We are not to be creatures of the dark but of the light. We are called to be the light itself. “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a candle and put it under a basket, but on a stand and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16) We claim to know God and serve him by our actions – in church. But how do we act when we leave? “They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.” (Titus 1:16) We speak well to one another and discuss lofty things and pray for others – in church. But what is our speech when we leave? Often, we gossip about the very people we were just with. We speak harshly to others we meet. Unkind and irreverent words escape our mouth. “If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless.” (James 1:26)

It is clear that “what happens in church, should not stay in church,” but go out to the world. We should be beacons of hope for a life in Christ and redemption. “And he said to the, “Go out into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.”” (Mark 16:15) The Church is not in the church. The Church is the bride of Christ and he is the head. We are Christ in the world. We proclaim the gospel by our lives, our words, and our actions. As St. Teresa of Avila explains, we are the hands and feet of Christ.

So how can we take what happens in church and take it out to build up the Church? If you are a greeter, greet others as Christ did and invite them into an encounterwith him. If you are a lector, share the message of Christ in the scriptures in your daily speech. If you are involved in the music ministry sing out God’s love in your actions and interactions with others. If you are a Eucharistic minister, share Christ, truly present through your love, care, and mercy toward others. If you are a sacristan or altar server, serve Christ by serving the needs of those you meet in every moment of the day. If you are in the pew praying the Mass, notice people in need of prayer and let them know you will pray for them. Our faith, our religion, is not an exclusive club. It is a way of life. A pattern of life if you will. Everything we say and do should communicate the love of God. Our homes should be a place where the Lord dwells and a place of welcome to others. “So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” (James 2:17) If we live in imitation of Christ, we will effectively spread the Gospel, anything less is denial of the truth of our Faith. This will come at a cost, as it is countercultural. But we were told about this by Christ himself. “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.” (John 15:18-19) We are to bravely carry the cross, profess our faith and share Christ with the world. We gather in the church to worship God, we leave the church to share him with the world and build up the Church, the body of Christ. To not do this and deny the truth of our faith will lead to our spiritual demise. So let us go out and make disciples! Share the light of Christ! Answer our baptismal call!

“Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary, use words.” (St. Francis of Assisi)