Our Christian consistency
We should not be afraid to show our Christian identity at all times and in all situations. We should not be Christian by name only, but also by our thoughts, desires, deeds, and in all aspects of our life. We should not be Christian in good times only, but also, and most especially, in bad times. We should not be Christian only in our sacred moments, but also in our mundane activities.
This does not mean that we have to flaunt our Christian identity or to exude some kind of a triumphalistic aura. In fact, we have to be most natural and discreet about it. But it should not be hidden because of fear or shame.
Remember Christ saying: "Everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father in heaven." (Mt 10,32-33)
That Christ is the Son of God who became man to redeem us means that God in Christ through the Holy Spirit identifies himself with each one of us at all times. This is the basis for keeping a consistency in our Christian identity.
This is what our Catechism teaches us clearly: "Christ enables us to live in him all that he himself lived, and he lives it in us. 'By his Incarnation, he, the Son of God, has in a certain way united himself with each man." (Catechism 521)
We have to understand that everything in our life can only have its proper meaning and purpose when referred to Christ. Our mundane activities and concerns can only acquire their ultimate meaning and divine value when related to Christ. Even our weaknesses, errors, failures, and sins can only be taken care of properly when referred to Christ.
We need to spread this truth of our faith, so crucial in our life, as widely as possible. Let's listen to St. Paul in this regard: "Preach the word. Be prepared in season and out of season. Reprove, rebuke, and encourage with every form of patient instruction. For the time will come when men will not tolerate sound doctrine, but with itching ears they will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own desires." (2 Tim 4,2-3)
This means that we have to learn how to relate Christ to everything in our life, and vice-versa, how to relate everything to him. We have to show how Christ is relevant and necessary in all these things, how he gives meaning and purpose to them, how he purifies and elevates them to the supernatural order that is also proper to us, since we are called to it.
This is not going to be an easy task. And we have to avoid trying short-cuts, falling either to the extremes of rationalism (reason alone with no faith) or of fideism (faith alone with no reason).
We need to consider the temper of the times and the lifestyle and cultures of the people. We have to identify the many elements that either favor or work against this fundamental truth of our faith, and act accordingly.
The main idea is to help everyone to maintain their Christian consistency at all times.
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