Likeminded People

Jay knows just about everyone. And everyone loves him. Along with all the love comes many invites to dinner or events just about every weekend. Recently, we were invited to dinner by a man who Jay has known for quite some time. The few interactions I have had with this man have been benign. He's not a bad person. But it seems he is only interested in talking about himself or interacting with Jay on the few times we have been together. I'm fine with that, but not someone I want to see on a continual basis. He is not a Christian (I am), says he doesn't like young children (I have my two beautiful grandsons!), and talks about tarot-card-reading kinds of things (something I avoid entirely). So, back to the invitation. When Jay forwarded the email invite to dinner, asking if I wanted to go, I didn't respond. I wanted to discuss it with him after work. And we did. Jay is the best listener. He listens to what I say, contemplates it, and delivers his take on it. We have so many wonderful Christian friends. We barely have time to nurture those friendships due to our schedules. We decided to spend our time with likeminded people. People who love Christ and who support our relationship with Christ and each other. It just makes sense. This is the time to focus on the job at hand. We have a lot of work to do lay apostles. Pray for those whose focus is on the world. Demonstrate good works. And surround yourself with people who will gladly give you a hand up on the climb to holiness.

The first reading from 17Jan2013 (Hebrews 3:7-14) encourages us to stay focused on Christ daily lest we stray from His Sacred Heart:

The Holy Spirit says: Oh, that today you would hear his voice, “Harden not your hearts as at the rebellion in the day of testing in the desert, where your ancestors tested and tried me and saw my works for forty years. Because of this I was provoked with that generation and I said, ‘They have always been of erring heart, and they do not know my ways.’ As I swore in my wrath, ‘They shall not enter into my rest.’” Take care, brothers and sisters, that none of you may have an evil and unfaithful heart, so as to forsake the living God. Encourage yourselves daily while it is still “today,” so that none of you may grow hardened by the deceit of sin. We have become partners of Christ if only we hold the beginning of the reality firm until the end.

In Anne a lay apostle's book Serving in Clarity, she offers good advice if we find ourselves questioning intentions of others:

"If one openly disobeys a Church teaching, one is in essence saying that one wants the responsibility of leadership, which God has not given. One is, through disobedience, wresting authority. I believe that God puts Church leaders in positions of responsibility with the hope that they will obey the Church authority, helping them to grow in personal holiness and furthering unity in the Church. We must accept that we may not understand everything about each directive we are called to follow. We may not have all of the facts. God treats some things on a ‘need to know’ basis. One could observe that individuals will only disobey when they feel the Church authority in their life is getting it wrong. Most of the time, perhaps, they will obey. But where does this end? And if this is the case, then nobody is in charge, least of all God. I fear that those who cut and paste in the area of obedience to the Magisterium will find themselves in a position where their peace is destroyed and their effectiveness, from heaven’s perspective, is diminished. God can’t count on them. They might obey, they might not. This disposition threatens His plan. Decisions against the Church give Satan ammunition to use against us in our movement to personal holiness, which is our base mission here on earth regardless of who we are. The enemy uses this ammunition, our uncertainty and consequent vulnerability, to teach us about arrogance and to distract us from holiness. If we make a decision against the authority of the Church, we will have to spend a lot of time justifying it. We will possibly lie awake in bed at night arguing with nobody in order to prove to ourselves that we are right. We may come to know outrage, which fuels arrogance. Yes, we will exhaust ourselves trying to convince ourselves that we are right or, at the very least, justified in our disobedience. Be alert. Satan will send people to support and encourage us in disobedience. We can always find someone who agrees with us. We must not seek the companionship of those who pull from unity with the Church. We must seek instead the counsel of those who encourage unity."

Lay apostles, take a look at the people you choose to surround yourself with. Are they likeminded? Do they promote Christian values? Or do they constantly complain about the Church? Are they leading you to a closer relationship with your spouse or significant other? Or are they dragging you out to a bar after work for one quick drink? Remember, it is a choice. So, choose your family. Choose Christ.

Thank you, Lord, for making it evident Jay and I must remain focused on You and not the world. And, thank you for giving me a partner who understands the importance of likemindedness!

God bless,
Bonnie