As members of the Catholic Church in today’s world, believers are called upon to share our faith with the wider community. As we follow in the footsteps of Christ, we witness to our faith in how we raise our children and grandchildren, how we interact with friends, families and coworkers, and how we engage in modern culture.
As the living Body of Christ, we are called to live a “countercultural” life. We are called to serve one another, just as Jesus served. So, we stand up for our faith and beliefs even if this means that we will suffer for it. Catholic social teachings call us to care especially for the dignity of the human person. In fact, we are called to tend daily to the Corporal Works of Mercy: to feed the hungry, to give drink to the thirsty, to clothe the naked, to visit the sick, to ransom the captive, and to bury the dead. Likewise, we are called to attend to the Spiritual Works of Mercy: to instruct the ignorant, to counsel the doubtful, to admonish the sinner, to bear wrongs patiently, to forgive offences willingly, to comfort the afflicted, and to pray for the living and the dead.
Let us never forget that prayer is of the utmost importance, an invaluable contribution to serving others. Prayer guides our actions, it binds us in solidarity to one another, and it connects us more deeply with the grace that flows from God.
“O God, open our eyes so that we may see the needs of others. Open our ears so that we may hear their cries. Open our hearts so that they need not be without help. Let us not be afraid to defend the weak nor afraid to come to aid of the poor. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.”
