Philip’s Fast: A Challenge to Change Our Lives

During this period of the Philip’s Fast, in preparation for the Nativity of our Lord Jesus, we are challenged to change our lives, to let go of our comforts and of what we consider to be “a good life.”

Many people do not want to let go of these comforts or they become upset if someone tries to suggest that they leave behind the things that bring them comfort, but this is often what discipleship in Christ calls us to do. This is both a challenge and a goal of discipleship. To be a disciple of Jesus means to sit at his feet, just as Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus did in the Gospel.

It is also our goal to go out among the people and to invite them to Jesus. We have a mission to make people uncomfortable in this way. Many people are uncomfortable when they are invited to discipleship and a common reaction is to walk away, to say, “Jesus, goodbye. We don’t need you here. Don’t disturb us please.”

However, a real encounter with Jesus leads people to want to follow him. People who are converted take up the challenge of discipleship and desire to follow him and to be with him, just as the young man in the Gospel whom Jesus had healed of demonic possession. Jesus changed his life, and he became peaceful, joyful and happy.

This is the reason we go to church: to have an experience of Jesus. Church is where we are challenged to change our life. And, in changing our life, we grow in our desire to want to be with Jesus forever, because I assure you, dear brothers and sisters, we can only be happy with him. All other proposals for happiness are false.

However, Jesus told the young man whom he healed from demonic possession that he was not to follow him in his preaching ministry. Rather, he was to stay home and to tell everyone of the wonderful things that God had done for him.

Regardless of how each one of us is called to be a disciple, we must all try to spend more time in the presence of Jesus in our daily life. We must try to remain in God’s presence, even when we have left the church and return home.

You may be wondering how you can do this. Brothers and sisters, Jesus is present in your husband, your wife and your children. Take care of them and approach them as you would approach Jesus, with reverence and love. It is easy. We need only faith to believe that Jesus is present among us now in our community.

Jesus said when two or three are gathered in his name that he is present with them. Jesus is also present in the Gospel; he is the Word of God in the Gospel. He is also present in the Holy Blood and Holy Body of the Eucharist. For this reason, we must be prepared to receive Holy Communion.

If you want to receive Holy Communion every Sunday, you have to go to confession once a month. This is my directive as your bishop. I know it is difficult, but, as your bishop, I must give you such challenges for your growth in the Christian life.

The Philip’s Fast is an opportune time to begin this important spiritual practice of going to regular confession. Regular reception of the sacrament of reconciliation is also important if we are to preserve our reverence for the Eucharist at all times. We cannot take the Eucharist for granted. The Eucharist is not some piece of bread; it is Jesus Christ, who grants us eternal life.

Finally, I encourage you also to pray as a family in your homes, common prayers, such as the Our Father, the Hail Mary, and the Glory Be. We have prayer books; we have many prayers on the internet. You can read the Bible together as a family at home for five minutes a day — it’s not too much — and then, after one year, come and tell me what you experienced together.

This column is based on the homily Bishop Lach preached at St. Michael Parish in Flushing, Michigan, Oct. 27.
 
As published in Horizons, Nov. 17, 2019