Some will say that if what you’ve suggested and presented over the last few weeks is accurate, then can we overcome it?  Can we rebuild, redirect, or even heal such wounds and divisions?  What can we do here in our parish and for the Church worldwide? 

These are good questions that have demonstrable answers.  As none of us is either the pope or a bishop, there are fundamental things to be done for the Church universally.  Some responsibilities fall to us all, others to our respective areas of responsibility.  For the Church Universal, we must pray.  Pray for unity among the faithful people of our Church.  Pray for those who doubt, are uncertain, don’t believe, or are confused about our teachings and doctrines.  Pray for the Pope and our bishop, Bishop Malloy, and for all those who lead in the Church.  Finally, pray for courage amongst the people of God.  Courage to defend the Faith.  Courage to love the Faith.  Courage to live the Faith.  Be true to Christ and always bend your knee in prayer to God both in thanksgiving and praise.  But also, plead with God for time to repent, for mercy, for an increase in grace, for a growth in holiness and for a deep charity for others.

The crisis of discipleship is evident by the lack of prayer, courage and humility in the belief and practice of our Faith.  Discipleship moves beyond the self into the heart of the other and The Other, who is God.  Discipleship doesn’t sit on the sidelines, apathetic to the concerns of others or the struggles one encounters.  True discipleship is empathetic, compassionate, inviting, encouraging, challenging and prayerful.  Let us lift up our Faith, the whole Church, our families, friends, and the stranger, as well.  Keeping our eyes on the eternal prize and living as if this prize is real is the goal of life.  Saving our souls and bringing others along with us is the clarion call of the disciple of Jesus.

These are the fundamental answers to any crisis in discipleship.  And, as we don’t run the Church but are members of it, we apply our efforts to the greater good.  So, now we focus on our local Church of St. Joseph in Richmond.

In my final column on the Crisis of Discipleship, we will identify the necessary ways to a holier Church, a greater presence in our community, and ways to bring back the lost and fallen away of our parish.  We have something worth sharing:  Jesus Christ.  Let’s dare to strive boldly into our future with Christ in our heart and a joyful invitation on our lips.