“The proclamation of the Gospel in today’s world continues to demand of us a prophetic, counter-cultural resistance to the self-centered hedonism of paganism.” Pope Francis 11/24/2023
The Christian life has never been about simply going along with the crowd. This Sunday’s scriptures remind us that following Christ will often put us at odds with the values and expectations of the world around us.
Jeremiah cries out, “You duped me, O LORD, and I let myself be duped.” He discovered that answering God’s call was not always easy or comfortable. God’s invitation can lead us places we would not necessarily choose for ourselves. Faith requires the courage to trust God even when the path is difficult.
Jesus makes that challenge even more direct: “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.” To follow Christ means that we cannot always choose what is easiest, most popular, or most convenient. Sometimes discipleship means saying no when everyone else is saying yes, standing for what is right when it is unpopular, and choosing sacrifice over self-interest.
St. Paul gives us the key: “Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God.” Being counter-cultural does not mean being different simply for the sake of being different. It means allowing Christ to transform the way we think, choose, speak, and live.
Even psalmists address this issue as, with the words. “For you my flesh pines and my soul thirsts.”
To live as a Christian disciple is to recognize that nothing the world offers can satisfy the deepest longing of the human heart. Our hearts are made for God. The world may tell us to seek comfort; Christ calls us to seek holiness. The world may tell us to put ourselves first; Christ calls us to love and serve. The world may tell us to follow the crowd; Christ calls us to follow Him.
Living a counter-cultural Christian life is ultimately not about standing against the world—it is about standing with Christ. And when we have the courage to take up our cross and follow Him, we discover that the path that seems foolish to the world can lead us to true freedom, joy, and life.
In this final summer week, I invite you to reflect on these questions:
- What are the values or expectations of our culture that make it difficult for me to follow Christ faithfully, and where is Jesus asking me to “deny myself, take up my cross, and follow” Him?
- What do I truly thirst for? Do my choices and priorities reveal a deep desire for God, as expressed in Psalm 63, or am I allowing the world to define what I believe will make me happy and fulfilled?
- Where is God inviting me to be counter-cultural? What is one concrete change I can make in my thinking, choices, relationships, or daily life so that I am not simply conforming to this age, but allowing Christ to transform me and help me discern God’s will?
FAMILY MASS AND BACKPACK SUNDAY – Our Sunday Family mass will begin again on Sunday, September 13th, at the 10:00 a.m. mass. This will also be our annual “Backpack Sunday.” Students are invited to bring their backpacks to mass for a special blessing as the school year begins. Mark your calendars and plan to join us as we return to the rhythm of school and parish life.
In addition, our Youth Choir and our brand-new Cherub Choir will begin their rehearsals in the second week of September. Please see the bulletin for more information and contact details.
Peace!
