Jesus hung out with sinners, why can't I? (or should I?)

Some people find themselves in a dilemma when they are trying to pull away from a lifestyle that was threatening to pull them down away from the Lord, and yet they know and love those that they use to call "family."  Friends are important, but they don't always think like us and love the things we love. How do we draw the line between "hanging out with sinners" like Jesus, and protecting our own call to holiness?

First of all, we must remember that we are not perfect, but we are called to be perfect. This makes the presented dilemma totally legitimate. So, here are few guidelines you might find useful for yourself or your child when deciding to "go or not to go." 

1. Pray. Before Jesus went into public ministry, he always prayed. After spending a lot of time with people, he prayed. Personally I'm convinced that with his friends he also prayed. I'm sure Mary, Martha, Lazarus, and Jesus prayed often. Before you go out and when you come home - pray. Something simple. Something honest. 

2. Lean on someone. You don't need a whole bunch, but a few - absolutely. When you want to go out, but you have your doubts (especially after prayer) whether it is good for your soul - call one of these people up and do something with them. Stay busy, enjoy yourself, be creative. Jesus went to the homes of sinners, but those who refused to convert - he always loved, was never mean - but he spent his free time with the likes of the apostles and Mary and Martha. 

3. Admit. Let your friends know why you aren't going, and admit it to yourself. You may be surprised when the others change their mind. Jesus was no softy. He said what needed to be said, always with the intention of doing the Will of his Father and helping the others to see the truth. Sometimes the other caved, sometimes they went away stubbornly.

4. Charity above all Else. Sometimes we are called into tough or uncomfortable situations. Or maybe we find ourselves in a place that is a lot of fun -but a temptation. Well, repeat steps 1 to 3. Still there - check your motivation and love. Jesus was with the sinner - because it is the sinner that needs him. He was there to bring love and to respect their dignity - the tax-collector, prostitute, adulterer, pharisee, etc. He wasn't there to have fun (simply) or to forget his cares or deny his purpose and mission.

5. Pray. Lean on someone. Admit. Charity above all Else. Place yourself in the hands of God. 

Day 6 - Unity in Fellowship

All people enjoy, and seek a way of, feeling welcomed and a part of a greater whole.  We naturally look for ways to share our joys and our sorrows.  As we look to union with the Divine, and strive for final beatitude, we do not go alone. And, in fact, we begin to experience this communion in the Church on earth, through Her life giving sacraments.  These sacraments bind together all Her members.  This is a very important part of a truly Catholic Community, and the Church today tends to call this community building - Fellowship.

            In the early Church, "They were devoted to the communal life," (Acts 2:42) and they "ate their meals with exultation and sincerity of heart, praising God and enjoying favor with all the people." (Acts 2:46)   Meals and celebration are a part of our human make-up.  Meals draw us together, cross cultural lines, and create an air of festivity.  Meals have a certain supernatural "flavor", even when outside the liturgical context. Take for example the meal of celebration offered after the baptism of the jailer in Acts 16.

            A Catholic Community enjoys fellowship through common prayer, such as in the Sacred Liturgy, but also through rejoicing, suffering, and interceding for one another.  They interceded for the success of the Church's common mission, such as when John and Peter went before the Sanhedrin (Acts 4) (Acts 10). They interceded for the sick and the dying, such as in the healing of Tabitha (Acts 9).   They rejoiced together, such as when "the disciples were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit", upon the baptism of Cornelius' household (Acts 13).  They mourned with one another, as in the time that Paul was headed to Jerusalem and would "bound and handed over to the Gentiles", but simultaneously sought the will of God (Acts 21).  Indeed, this is a mark of Christianity that has spoken louder than all the preaching in the world, that they were willing to "undergo many hardships to enter the kingdom of God." (Acts 14) United in prayer and fasting, placing their faith in the Lord, the worship the Church renders to God binds them together. This authentic fellowship overflows into a charity that permeates every aspect of life.

            Finally, let's turn to Acts 20. A young man falls asleep listening to St. Paul preach, showing his determination to learn, and the expectation to remain for the community gathering.  He falls out of an upper story window, and crashes to his supposed death. Paul leans over the young man, and subtly restores him to life, reminding us of the purpose (Resurrection) of all our efforts, but also of the intercession of the community. Then, the community gathered, and Paul celebrated the breaking of the bread, the highlight and source of all. The people converse for a long time, a moment of fellowship, and then bring the boy home healed.

            In this brief story, we see the 6 essential qualities of a Catholic Community: United under One Head; United in Worship; United in Service; United in Learning; United in Fellowship. To the extent that our local and greater Catholic Community models itself after the Church, we will know the same joy and perseverance of the early Church, and be witnesses to the living God among us.    

Day 6 presents the fourth mark of unity; with the church in Jerusalem, we draw strength from spending time in prayer. Specifically, the Lord’s Prayer calls all of us in Jerusalem and throughout the world, the weak and the mighty, to work together for justice, peace and unity that God’s Kingdom may come.