Seized by Christ

They are experiencing Christianity as joy and hope, having thus become lovers of Christ.

Tag: faith

  • The Indelible Mark of Character

    Our lives always bear a seal—whether from Christ, from sin, or from the wounds we carry.

    Connected with the concept of “servant” is the image of the indelible character, which has become part of the Church’s faith. In the language of late antiquity, “character” meant the seal or stamp of possession by which a thing, an animal, or even a person was marked. Once given, it could not be erased. Property so marked was irrevocably identified as belonging to its master.

    Cardinal Ratzinger explains that this “character” is more than a symbol. It is a belonging that becomes part of a person’s very existence, calling after its owner. It is an image of relationship and reference—our lives are never neutral; they always show who we belong to.

    This truth has a sharp edge for our time. Many say they are “interested” in faith but claim they have no time to practice it. But our actions—and inactions—reveal who or what owns us. If God does not mark us, something else will.

    At the same time, life’s wounds leave marks of their own. A traumatic experience can burn itself into character. When a young person loses a parent or suffers abuse, the damage can feel irreversible, like a kind of spiritual PTSD. It alters how they act and even who they seem to become. Many forms of “abnormal” behavior are not just choices but scars that have hardened into character.

    That is why forgiveness matters so deeply. If vengeance or remorse are left unchecked, they can take possession of us until they define our whole being. To forgive and let go is not weakness—it is a way of guarding our character, preventing sin and bitterness from stamping us with their seal.

    Ultimately, the only true freedom is to belong to Christ, who marks us in baptism and calls us His own forever. In Him, even the scars of trauma can be transfigured, no longer chains but signs of grace.

    Ref: Cardinal Ratzinger; Pilgrim Fellowship of Faith p.162 last paragraph.

    Developed with assistance from ChatGPT-5

  • Beyond Bread Alone:

    The Forgotten Works of Mercy

    In the first blog, we saw how the corporal works of mercy have become part of the very fabric of Western society. Food banks, hospitals, charities, and even government programs echo Christ’s command to feed, clothe, and shelter those in need. That is a powerful legacy of Christianity.

    But mercy is not only about the body. It is also about the soul.

    The Church has always taught about the spiritual works of mercy:

    • Instruct the ignorant
    • Counsel the doubtful
    • Admonish the sinner
    • Bear wrongs patiently
    • Forgive offenses willingly
    • Comfort the afflicted
    • Pray for the living and the dead

    Unlike their corporal counterparts, these spiritual works are not easily institutionalized. A government cannot legislate forgiveness. A nonprofit cannot substitute for patient endurance. No program can replace prayer.

    And yet, it may be precisely these works that our world needs most today.

    In many places, hunger for truth is deeper than hunger for bread. Loneliness wounds more people than sickness. A culture of anger and resentment cries out for forgiveness and patience. In a world full of noise, people are starving for real counsel, comfort, and prayer.

    The danger is that Christians become content with mercy limited to the material. We may feed bodies but leave souls untouched. We may shelter people but never welcome them into communion with Christ. True mercy must be both corporal and spiritual — not either/or but both/and.

    Jesus Himself reminds us: “Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Mt 4:4). To give bread without the Word is to give half a meal.

    So here is the challenge: if society is already carrying forward the physical dimension of mercy (often thanks to its Christian roots), then perhaps the unique responsibility of Christians today is to restore the spiritual works of mercy to their rightful place.

    This is not about abandoning corporal works — far from it. It is about remembering that real love, Christian love, reaches deeper than the body. It touches the heart, the soul, the eternal destiny of the person in front of us.

    In the next blog, we will look at practical ways to integrate both: how Christians can care for bodies and souls, ensuring that mercy is whole and holy.

    Developed with assistance from ChatGPT-5

  • Have We Outsourced the Works of Mercy?

    In the Gospels, Jesus gave His followers the command to live out the corporal works of mercy: feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, welcome the stranger, visit the sick and the prisoner, and bury the dead. These simple, concrete acts of love are how Christians have always revealed Christ to the world.

    Over centuries, these works became so deeply woven into Western society that many people today hardly notice their Christian origin. Hospitals, food pantries, shelters, charities, and even government welfare programs all reflect the lasting influence of the Gospel. In many ways, the corporal works of mercy are part of the very fabric of our culture.

    That is good news. But it also raises an important question: have we outsourced mercy to institutions?

    Think about it. In modern society, there is almost always a program, charity, or government office ready to provide physical care. This is not bad — in fact, it is evidence of Christianity’s leavening effect on culture. Yet when mercy is reduced to only social services, something essential is lost.

    Christians are not called simply to hand off good works to others. We are called to bring Christ Himself into every act of mercy. Feeding the hungry is not complete without offering the Bread of Life. Giving shelter is not full without welcoming someone into genuine human community. Visiting the sick is not just about treatment but about hope and prayer.

    If we only address the body while leaving the soul untouched, mercy becomes incomplete. As one observer put it, some Catholic charities risk “feeding bellies while starving souls.”

    So, while society may continue the corporal works in their material form, Christians are still uniquely responsible for the deeper task: to ensure that mercy reaches both body and soul.

    This series will explore that balance — beginning with the works of mercy everyone knows, and moving toward the often-forgotten spiritual works of mercy. Together, they reveal a vision of Christian love that cannot be replaced by any program or policy.

    Developed with assistance from ChatGPT-5

  • Microspheres: Small Connections, Big Renewal

    My hope for the Church is bold: that by 2030, our dioceses might be four times stronger than today — with one priest for every 100 men, and with lay people fully alive in their faith.

    The problem is not the Magisterium, the hierarchy, or the teaching of the Church. Those remain sound. The gap lies between clergy and laity. Parishes today may have thousands of members, but without networks of meaningful relationships, they risk functioning more like crowds than like communities.

    Most Catholics, if we are honest, seem to live their faith as “an hour on Sunday” — separate for a short time from the world, then blending back in. If you judge a tree by its fruit, the reality is sobering: many Catholics do not realize the treasure God has entrusted to them. They are standing on a gold mine but act as though it were yellow plastic.

    Meanwhile, modern life pulls people further away from real human connection. Even in their own homes, people often interact more with screens than with one another.

    The Power of Microspheres

    A “microsphere” is not just a small group. It is the measure of time we personally invest in others.

    I believe a parish’s vitality depends on each member having microsphere relationships — about 30 minutes per week per person.

    For example, in a group of 5 people, if you spend about 2 hours together, that works out to 30 minutes of meaningful connection with each person. That’s enough to create familiarity, trust, and support.

    How many such relationships are needed? That’s not yet clear. Perhaps 5, maybe 10, perhaps even 20. The exact number isn’t as important as the principle: when people share life in this way, the parish begins to shift from being a crowd into being a true community.

    Learning from History

    When Europe was overrun by invasions a thousand years ago, it was not large institutions that preserved civilization and faith — it was small communities, brotherhoods, and monasteries. They created pockets of strength, culture, and prayer that carried the Church through chaos.

    Today, we face new invasions: secularism, relativism, distraction, and disconnection. To survive and renew, the Church needs microspheres again.

    This is not a task the institutional Church can accomplish from the top down. It must arise from the bottom up — from Catholics who commit to building real, human, Christ-centered connections.

    If we can do this, the Church will not only endure but flourish.

    Edited with assistance from ChatGPT-5

  • Discovering Your Heroic Vocation

    Recognizing the call that sets your life on a meaningful adventure

    Introduction: The Call to Adventure

    Every life has a calling. Not every vocation leads to priesthood or consecrated life. C.S. Lewis reminds us that there are infinitely many good vocations, each as different from one another as good is from evil. Some callings are familiar: raising a family, serving the poor, leading a community, or creating art that inspires. Others are unique, waiting quietly for a person to step forward.

    In the language of the Hero’s Journey, the first step of any adventure is the call. It may come as restlessness, a sense of purpose, or an invitation to serve. Recognizing this call is the beginning of a life fully aligned with God and with your gifts.

    The Heroic Vocational Questions

    To help discern your calling, consider these reflective questions. They are not a checklist, but a framework for discovery:

    1. Where do I feel most alive when serving or creating?
    2. What challenges stir courage in me rather than fear?
    3. Which relationships or mentors draw out the best in me?
    4. What activity makes me lose track of time while benefiting others?
    5. What do I keep returning to, even when it’s difficult or uncomfortable?
    6. How would I want my life to be remembered if I gave it fully to this path?
    7. What sacrifice would I be willing to make for the good that matters most to me?
    8. How does this calling connect with the greater good, the community, or God’s plan?

    These questions guide a person toward self-knowledge, courage, and clarity—the essential tools for responding to any vocation.

    Reflection and Discernment

    Answering these questions requires honest reflection, prayer, and openness to God’s guidance. It may take weeks or months to see patterns or clarity emerge. Journaling, talking with a trusted mentor, or spending time in prayerful solitude can help you hear the call more clearly.

    Remember: vocation is a process, not a single answer. Your understanding of your calling may grow or shift over time. The key is to remain attentive to the stirrings in your heart and to align your life with God’s will.

    Practical Next Steps

    Once you have a sense of your calling, take practical steps to test and nurture it:

    • Volunteer or intern in areas related to your perceived vocation.
    • Seek out mentors or communities that live out what you feel drawn to.
    • Learn actively: read, train, or practice skills that support your calling.
    • Experiment with small projects or commitments to see how they resonate.

    These steps allow your calling to reveal itself in action, confirming whether it truly aligns with your gifts and God’s plan.

    Conclusion

    Every vocation is heroic in its own way. Whether it is priesthood, marriage, art, leadership, or service, answering your call is stepping into a life of purpose, courage, and joy.

    Start by paying attention to the stirrings in your heart. Ask the reflective questions, test your path, and trust God’s guidance. Your heroic journey begins with the first step: saying yes to the call.

    Developed with assistance from ChatGPT-5

  • From christian to Christian: The Heart of Vocations

    Vocations start with knowing Christ — the decisive question every Catholic must face

    Introduction

    In our previous blogs, we examined priestly vocations first through statistics, then through seven questions from Catholic to consecrated vocation. But even those questions assume something deeper: a man must already know Christ to respond faithfully. Without that encounter, the questions remain unanswered, the call unnoticed.

    This is where Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger (Pope Benedict XVI) offers a decisive lens for understanding vocations and Christian life itself. He asks:

    Have you experienced an event or person which gives life a new horizon, and a decisive direction? Do you experience it as joy and hope? Are you inwardly seized by Christianity, and have you become a lover of Christ?

    This is the question behind all vocations. Many Catholic men do not pursue the priesthood, not because of celibacy or rules, but because they have never fully experienced Christ in this way.

    The Core Reality

    A vocation is not primarily about a career path, a calling to serve a group, or a set of obligations. It is about responding to a personal encounter with Christ.

    • If a man has not experienced this decisive horizon in his life, celibacy will always seem like an obstacle.
    • If a man does not trust God with his life, obedience to a religious community will feel impossible.
    • If a man does not recognize the presence of Christ in others, service will seem burdensome.

    In other words, the foundation of all vocations is being seized by Christ Himself. All the statistical analyses, discernment questions, and organizational structures build on this first encounter. Without it, the rest is form without life.

    Creating Environments for Encounter

    This insight also shows what the Church can do to support vocations: create spaces and experiences where people can meet Christ personally. This is not just about instruction, programs, or prayer for vocations — it is about real-life encounters, mentorship, and communities where faith comes alive.

    As I have often reflected: when I pray for more workers in the harvest, God often shows me what I can do to move things forward. We cannot simply hope for miracles; we can build environments that foster encounter, trust, and spiritual growth.

    Conclusion

    The question for vocations — and for Christian living — is not primarily about celibacy, obedience, or even statistics. It is about Christ taking hold of a person’s life.

    Without that encounter, no numbers, programs, or rules will generate vocations. With it, even one man saying “yes” can change countless lives.

    Vocations begin at the heart, and the heart begins with Christ.

    Developed with assistance from ChatGPT-5

  • Seven Questions from Catholic to Consecrated Vocation

    From possibility to discernment — a practical guide for those considering priesthood or consecrated life

    Introduction: From Coin Toss to Questions

    In our last reflection, we looked at priestly vocations through the lens of statistics. With one diocesan priest for every 3,000 Catholic men, vocations today can seem almost miraculous — like flipping twelve coins and getting heads every time.

    But what if we replaced those twelve coins with seven questions? Questions that, if answered honestly and faithfully, could help a man discern whether he is called to a consecrated vocation. This approach moves from mere probability to spiritual discernment, from abstract numbers to personal reflection.

    The Seven Questions from Catholic to Consecrated Vocation

    1. Grace

    • Are you being honest with yourself?
    • Are you committed to putting God’s will first?
    • Do you trust God’s providence for your future?
    • Are you aware that those who give all for Christ will bear much fruit and be rewarded with joy and peace?

    2. Vocation Fit

    • Is there an organization or charism that complements your perceived vocation or interests?
    • Could you see yourself participating fully and happily in that community?

    3. Trust

    • Are you comfortable that the group is faithful to Church teaching, transparent, and well-governed?
    • Can you entrust your future obedience to this group with confidence?

    4. Celibacy

    • Are you willing to accept celibacy as a sign of trust and commitment to God?
    • Do you recognize the benefits of consecrated celibacy over marriage within this vocation?
    • Could your vocation be fulfilled outside a celibate life?
    • Would marriage prevent you from living this vocation fully?
    • Do you believe that, by God’s grace, a person can sacrifice personal benefit for God’s plan?

    5. Service

    • Do you understand the importance of the presence of consecrated religious for the well-being of families, the Church, and the salvation of souls?
    • Is the vocational need significant enough to justify the sacrifices required?
    • Are you aware that Christ is present in each person you will serve?

    6. Compatibility

    • Will consecration to this group allow you to achieve your broader vocation?
    • Will the group allow flexibility as your vocation evolves with your faith?

    7. Timing

    • Do you believe God is calling you now, or might the call come at a later time?

    Reflection

    Most of the stumbling blocks I’ve observed are not about rules or regulations, but trust in God. Many men hesitate to surrender personal freedom — especially sexuality — because they do not truly know God or experience His providence in their lives.

    In reality, this is the same reason many do not fully live as Christians in the first place. Cardinal Ratzinger phrased it poignantly:

    Have you experienced an event or person which gives life a new horizon, and a decisive direction? Do you experience it as joy and hope? Are you inwardly seized by Christianity, and have you become a lover of Christ?

    Vocations grow from a foundation of encounter with Christ. Without that, no set of questions, rules, or statistics can bear fruit.

    Conclusion

    By replacing the coin tosses with these seven questions, we can move from seeing vocations as statistical miracles to seeing them as discernible possibilities. But the first and most important step is always the same: knowing Christ and trusting Him with your life.

    Developed with assistance from ChatGPT-5

  • 8 Questions on the Road to Christ

    From seeking the truth to being seized by Christ

    On my journey of reflection, I came across a simple yet profound set of questions often used to guide a person from unbelief to faith. These eight steps move from basic honesty with oneself to the heart of Christianity:

    1. Are you being honest with yourself?
    2. Do you seek the truth?
    3. Is there some kind of God? (atheism vs. theism) — 5/6 of the world believes in some kind of god.
    4. Is it one God or many? (monotheism vs. polytheism) — about half of the world believes in one God.
    5. Is all God, or is He present but separate? (pantheism vs. Creator).
    6. Is God morally good, or is He indifferent to good and evil?
    7. Did God simply wind up the world, or is He present in history?
    8. Is God one person or three? Is Jesus His Son? One-third of the world is Christian.

    Each of these questions acts as a step on the “road to Christ.” They push us to examine what we believe, and why. Yet, even after answering all eight in favor of Christianity, there is still a deeper question that cannot be ignored.

    Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger (later Pope Benedict XVI) expressed it this way:

    Have you experienced an event or person which gives life a new horizon, and a decisive direction? Do you experience it as joy and hope? Are you inwardly seized by Christianity, and have you become a lover of Christ?

    That final question makes all the difference. It cuts to the heart: how many who call themselves “christian” (with a small c) have truly become Christian (with a capital C) in this deeper sense?

    The journey is not only about intellectual assent but about encounter, transformation, and love. Without that, the “road to Christ” remains unfinished.

  • Take Up Your Cross:

    The Hero’s Anthem of Discipleship

    At Mass today, the congregation sang a hymn that almost reads like a hero’s anthem:

    “Take up thy cross,” the Savior said,
     “if thou wouldst my disciple be;
     deny thyself, the world forsake,
     and humbly follow after Me.”

    “Take up thy cross, let not its weight
     fill thy weak spirit with alarm;
     His strength shall bear thy spirit up,
     and brace thy heart, and nerve thine arm.”

    “Take up thy cross, nor heed the shame,
     nor let thy foolish pride rebel;
     thy Lord for thee the cross endured,
     to save thy soul from death and hell.”

    “Take up thy cross, and follow Christ,
     nor think till death to lay it down;
     for only they who bear the cross
     may hope to wear the glorious crown.”

    At first glance, it is a call to discipleship, a reminder to endure suffering, and a promise of eternal reward. But the hymn also mirrors the archetypal Hero’s Journey:

    • The Call to Adventure: The Savior invites each disciple to leave comfort behind, deny selfish desires, and step into a path of transformation.
    • Supernatural Aid: Divine strength sustains the believer, just as mythic heroes receive guidance and power from mentors or gods.
    • The Road of Trials: Enduring shame, temptation, and inner resistance is the crucible that refines courage, humility, and faith.
    • The Ultimate Boon: The crown at the journey’s end is victory over death and union with God—eternal life as the hero’s reward.
    • Return to the World: Though the cross is carried daily, the disciple’s journey inspires others, becoming a witness of hope and courage in the ordinary world.

    In essence, the hymn frames discipleship as a heroic quest. Each cross we bear is both trial and triumph, each act of faith a step along the path of transformation. It reminds us that true heroism is not the absence of suffering, but the courage to endure, the humility to trust, and the hope that, in the end, life’s ultimate reward is already glimpsed in faith.

    The lyrics are by: Everest, Charles William, M.A

    Written with assistance from ChatGPT-5

  • Freedom of Religion, Truth, and the Search for Eternity

    Why freedom demands responsibility in faith

    We live in an age where freedom of religion is widely affirmed. At its core, this means that every person has the right to believe as they choose. No one should be forced into faith, nor punished for following their conscience.

    But that freedom also brings a serious responsibility. If adults are free to choose, then each of us should be intentional about our choice. Why would anyone remain in a religion they believe is not the best path for them? A thoughtful person should seek out the truth, weigh what is offered, and decide what is truly worth staking their life on.

    As Catholics, we believe Jesus’ words: “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). For us, Heaven is where Christ is. To someone outside the faith, however, that may not sound appealing. If their idea of heaven is life without Jesus, then by definition, their “heaven” would actually be part of what Christians call hell.

    This doesn’t mean we condemn others. In fact, freedom of religion cuts both ways. If I claim Christ as the only way, my neighbor has just as much right to claim otherwise. What we don’t have the right to do is force conversion or resort to violence in the name of truth. Our call is different: to witness, to invite, to live a life that reflects the joy of knowing Christ.

    And this is where Pope Benedict XVI’s insight becomes urgent. In Light of the World (2010), he reflects on what happens when people reject God’s eternity:

    “Man strives for eternal joy; he would like pleasure in the extreme, would like what is eternal. But when there is no God, it is not granted to him and it cannot be. Then he himself must now create something that is fictitious, a false eternity… A craving for happiness has developed that cannot content itself with things as they are. The destructive processes at work in that are extraordinary and are born from the arrogance, the boredom, and the false freedom of the Western world.”

    Drugs, sex tourism, consumerism—Benedict calls these “false eternities,” counterfeit paradises that destroy families, enslave nations, and wound the dignity of entire peoples. They promise joy, but deliver despair.

    The alternative is not complicated. It is Christ. In Him, we taste eternity even now: peace that lasts, joy that cannot be taken away, love that gives life. Freedom of religion allows each person to choose—but only Christ offers a freedom that endures beyond this world.

    So what do we do as Christians?

    • Hold fast to the truth, without arrogance.
    • Respect others’ freedom, without compromise.
    • Live in such a way that others glimpse Heaven through us.

    Freedom of religion gives us the right to believe as we will. But the Gospel gives us the reason to believe as we should.

    Developed with assistance from ChatGPT-5

    Follow-up Reflection:
    Freedom of Religion and the Courage to Listen – Respectful sharing strengthens faith, not fear.