Radiating Christ

As Catholic Christians, we are called to allow Christ to sanctify every aspect of our lives. Our work, our marriage, our family, our leisure time, our friendships. We’re called to allow Him to live in us and to work through us. Our mission is to bring Christ into the world – to sanctify it and to help those we meet to come to know the true source of Eternal Life.

But as St. Paul says, “…how can they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone to preach?” (Rom 10:14). We are called to share our faith and love for Jesus through our words and our example. (St. Francis never actually said preach the gospel and if necessary use words.)

As Catholic men, we have a special call to sanctify our wives, our children, our families. Through our witness, our patience and understanding, our kindness, our forgiveness. Through our faithfulness to Christ and His Church, even when it’s difficult. By our fidelity to our marriage and our purity of speech and action. But in a world that is more and more hostile to Christianity, how can we carry out this mission?

“Radiating Christ” provides some helpful insights that help us understand how to live out our mission to bring Christ to the world. Below are some key passages from the book.

• To be a ‘Christ’ is the whole meaning of Christianity. To radiate ‘Christ’ is the whole meaning of the Christian Apostolate. But to be a Christ for one’s own personal benefit is not enough; we have to Christianize those around us; in a word, we have to radiate Christ.

• The winning of souls calls for in the first place – humility. We need humility not to preach ourselves but to seek to show only Christ to others. We must be like John the Baptist who had many followers but still said “He must increase but I must decrease” (John 3:30). After someone interacts with us, have we brought them closer to Jesus or have we perhaps driven them further away?

• Even when Jesus saw that he offended His hearers, He persisted in His statements. Many of the teachings of the Savior ran counter to the current opinions of the time. Jesus preached forgiveness without limit. He recognized and elevated the dignity of women and children in a society that viewed them as having little or no value. He taught clearly about the power and reality of His Real Presence in the Eucharist. None of these teachings were popular. But they were true and necessary for our conversion and our eternal happiness. So, while we may think it’s worse than ever today - and certainly many ideologies being promoted in the culture are hostile to our Catholic faith and morals – Christ faced a society that ultimately crucified Him for what He taught. We should expect no less resistance today than Jesus did.

• But while firmness on principles must be absolute, adaptiveness to individuals should be cultivated to the utmost. Jesus never seemed to be in a hurry. It is difficult to open your heart to one who appears always to be preoccupied or busy.

For us to radiate Christ, we have to slow down. To give our full attention to the person we are with. To avoid the temptation to check for a text, e-mail or check out an article or post on social media. It can be really difficult at times. But giving the gift of time and understanding, engaging someone in conversation is a simple but powerful way to show them the love of Christ.

• Today, we need charity, a great-hearted charity. One cannot love too much. St. Paul says “We who are strong in faith should be patient with the scruples of those whose faith is weak; we must not be selfish. Each should please his neighbor so as to do him good by building up his spirit.” (Rom 15:1-2). If we remember how patient God has been with us and with our weaknesses and doubts and failings, then it will be easier to be understanding, patient and forgiving to those in our lives. They will experience Jesus to the extent we show them His love.

• The most essential preliminary condition for all fruitful missionary work is silent prayer. The world does not need so much men who are active, it needs men who are ready to sacrifice their impetuosity, in order to make their activity fruitful by prayer.

At times our efforts to bring Christ to others can be ineffective. Often it is because we are to quick to jump into a discussion or activity without enough prayer and reflection. We have not spent enough time listening to God before we start speaking to someone else about Him.

• The apostle in his own person must, first, make the truth visible. Secondly, he must make the truth lovable by presenting it as attractively as he can. Thirdly, he must make the truth admirable by becoming, as far as possible, an heroic example of Christian virtue.

• It would be impossible in these days to exaggerate the importance of detachment from the comforts of life, if any influence is to be exerted upon others. Our age is an age of frenzied love of pleasure…of self-indulgence. The disciple of Christ will be more effective to the extent he is able to be detached from the comforts of this life.

Discussion Questions

1. Which of these reflections on being a disciple of Christ was most meaningful to you? Why?

2. What do you think are the most important, necessary aspects of radiating Christ to everyone in your life?

3. Which part do you find most difficult? Is there any aspect of this that you would like to do better?