“Everyone who acknowledges me before others I will acknowledge before my heavenly Father. But whoever denies me before others, I will deny before my heavenly Father.” (Gospel for June 21, Mt 10:32-33)
The logic is pretty clear-cut, isn’t it? In this memorable promise, Jesus assures us of his intercession before the heavenly Father if we acknowledge him before others. Historians tell us that the 20th century saw more martyrs than any before. These brothers and sisters courageously acknowledged Christ before others at the cost of their lives. In our comparative freedom, do we nonetheless deny Christ or hide our faith in little ways? Mindful of Christ’s promise and inspired by the faith of recent martyrs, may we acknowledge our Savior before others with serenity, courage and love.
This month, I challenge you to offer to keep another person’s need in your prayers. Second, I challenge you to sustain the priesthood and its witness to the faith by supporting the Faith in Action Refund Support Vocations Program (RSVP) or by helping seminarians in some other way.
What does a full “audit” of your public profession of faith reveal? How does offering to pray for others acknowledge Christ before others?