Neon sign

Do you want to bring people closer to God? Here's a thought.

I was taught about 10 years ago that everyone has a neon sign on their chest. Do you know what it says? It screams, MAKE ME FEEL SPECIAL.

That sign in a lot of people is dead. In most people, that sign is dimly lit, because they have a few friends or family in this world that light it up every once in awhile. There's less than 15%, I would venture, that have this sign lit up so brightly that it lights up their entire person.

Why do you think people are leaving the Church? Because over across the street, they see a megachurch, and everyone is going in with joy on their faces. People yearn for positive interaction! Most aren't knowledgeable enough to want to engage in a religious debate, and our culture has depleted the reverent use of God in our language, so that the only time people say His Name without slandering it is when they hear a sneeze!

Jesus said "you are the light of the world." How brightly are we shining? The gospel tells us to make believers of all nations. We can't do that if we don't first show them, by EXAMPLE, what we believe. So how do we make that sign so bright that they come to Mass on their own, looking for even more Light?

It takes time, and everyone is different. The gospel is full of talk about being moved with compassion, seeing the distress in another's heart, and conquering that pain with Love. When that sign is at its brightest, you know that person feels loved.

WE ARE THE CHURCH OF GOD! Not a building! We are the people who must walk out there, touch the hearts of others, and plant the seeds of example! Will everyone follow us? Absolutely not, and we are going to get hurt when some that are closest to us fall away, but we must persevere. We don't shun the ones that leave, and we don't stop loving once some start following. We love them all the same, no matter where they are in their faith journey!

Our job is to show kindness, love, and appreciation for everyone with whom we come into contact. Our job is to keep that sign so bright that they see Christ superimposed on our faces! Our job is to remain as faithful as ever, keep our love for others simple and sweet, in a way that everyone becomes a lifelong friend, brother, and sister in Christ!

When we can do this on a massive scale as Catholics, and show the world that we are united IN PRACTICE, then the world will see the Catholic Church.