Christ-Centered Life

March 2023 Chapter Assembly Topic

Objectives

Expanded Outline

I. Introduction

As God’s holy warriors, we experience a lot of battles left and right. In the many challenges that we experience in work, mission, and family life, the more that we should make God our priority. Our life must be centered on who is essential: Jesus Christ. Everything else is secondary.

II. One Thing Necessary

But seek first the kingdom [of God] and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides. (Matthew 6:33)

Placing Jesus at the center of our lives is the only one thing necessary. Evangelization is ultimately the fruit of our interior life. If we want to be effective in our missionary life, we must first be united with God through prayer. 

The Catechism clearly defines prayer as a "vital and personal relationship with the living and true God" (CCC no. 2558). Let us ask ourselves, how is our prayer life? Is our life still centered on Christ and his divine work? A person who has a Christ-centered life places Jesus at the beginning and end of everything he does. Hence, our missionary life must be a constant effort of knowing him and loving him as we deepen our relationship with him each and every day. 

III. Losing our Focus on Christ

We know that our eyes must always be focused on Christ. Nowhere else but only on Christ. It is important that we recognize the times we lose our focus on him, so we can overcome the difficulties that we have in prayer.

A. Don’t have time

We think that we do not have the time to pray because we see it as another chore (cf. CCC 2726). But if we look at it, all of us have time. All of us have the same 24 hours in a day. The difference is in how we use or spend our time. It all boils down to our priorities. We make time for the things we love. 

B. Distraction

According to CCC 2729, one problem of a person who prays is distraction. We start to pray and then our mind wanders. Our body is here, yet our mind and heart are elsewhere. If not having time for prayer shows us our priorities. The things we are distracted of in prayer shows us our attachments. The Catechism teaches that “a distraction reveals to us what we are attached to.” (CCC 2729) Whenever we are distracted, we should humbly recognize it and offer it to God, and then turn back to him in prayer.

C. Doubt  

“The most common yet most hidden temptation is our lack of faith.” (CCC 2732) Sometimes we believe that everything should be easier because we are God’s people. But if we truly follow Jesus, we know that’s not always the case. Our lack of faith reveals that we do not yet share in the disposition of a humble heart: “Apart from me, you can do nothing.” (Jn. 15:5). Every time we are in doubt, we respond by bringing our questions to God and remembering how faithful God has been in our lives and the promises He has made. 

D. Dryness                 

When our prayer life is in a state of dryness, we are not motivated to pray anymore. We do not hear him and have a feeling of “nothingness,” making us feel that God is distant. There are two ways to address this – through confession and through faithfulness. There may be some sins in our life that block us from God. If this is the case, go to confession and beg for God’s pardon. Another way to address this is through faithfulness. It means to be committed to prayer whatever may happen. In some way somehow, the Lord tries to see the intentions of our love and prayer. 

We may desire to do and experience all great things. But Jesus must be the center of everything we think, speak, and do. Let us strive to strengthen our relationship with him despite the challenges that we have in prayer. 

IV. Christ-Centered Life

A Christ-centered life is a life rooted in prayer. This life transforms us and impels us to be like Christ in the way that we deal with others. A life centered in Christ is choosing to G-R-O-W in the Christian life.

1. G-row in Virtue

Our Christian life is a constant battle between good and evil. In following Jesus, we are presented with virtues and vices. The latter is mostly defined as the absence of virtue. For us to live a Christ-centered life, we need to grow in virtue of faith, hope, and love by overcoming the different challenges in our lives, so we can gain humility, trust, and perseverance. (cf. CCC 2728).

2. R-emain in Jesus. 

To remain in Jesus is to abide in Him. We remain not because of the consolations He gives us, but because He is the consolation himself. Hence, we need to practice being committed in our prayers, even if we do not have the time or even if we do not feel like praying. We are also called to go to Mass and spend time in Adoration, even read the Catechism of the Catholic Church so we can stay close to Him.

3. O-ffer little sacrifices. 

A Christ-centered life is life willing to offer sacrifices for the Lord. We may feel that sacrificing is an experience of loss, but it is an experience of gain when seen in God’s perspective. In this season of Lent, we can grow closer to Christ by focusing more on him and choosing self-sacrifice. We can do this when we practice prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.

4. W-alk away from sin. 

A life with Jesus drives us to avoid the near occasions of sin. The word “sin” comes from the Greek word hamartia, which means “to miss the mark”. The word originates from an archery term when the target is missed. Choosing to sin loses our focus on Christ. We need to reconcile with God by asking for forgiveness, going to confession, and asking for the necessary graces to walk away from temptations and sins.  

 Growth in prayer does not depend on just the time we spend exclusively with God. As we let go of sin, we make space for God in our lives. We show that His desires are important to us. Let us grow in the Christian life so we can take a step toward God.

V. Conclusion

One of our core values as a member of MFC is “Centered on Christ.” In everything that we are and do, we look to Jesus, who is our Savior and Lord. He is our model of faith and love. 

Saint John of the Cross said, “The person who flees prayer is fleeing everything that is good.” We may be tempted at times to let our busy lives distract us from focusing on Christ. We must remember that our relationship with Jesus is the only necessary thing. This way, when challenges come, our eyes are focused on Him.

Discussion Questions: