For these chosen friends, a new life in Christ began. They came to Him, drawn to the truth of who He was, able to surrender their hearts and minds with deep faith and trust. Their growing conviction that He was the Messiah, the Son of God enabled them to follow and live according to His teachings and example. The witness of their life in Christ lay the foundation for the Church, and their life would no longer be just according to the flesh but born of and fulfilled through the Spirit of God revealed, then given.

All Christians, no matter their state or walk of life, are called to the fullness of a life in Christ and to the perfection of love. (Vatican Council LG n 40) As affirmed by St Thomas Aquinas ‘God prepares those He has chosen for a mission and disposes them so that they are able to carry out what they have been chosen to do.’ (Summa Theologiae 11127,4) We, now, are chosen and sent to continue Christ’s redemptive work in the world.

Let us take the burning flame of faith, hope and love of the Apostles forward into a world where Christ is less known and less followed, more than ever.  Formed by the truth of His Word, nourished by the regular reception of the Sacraments and accompanied by His Holy Spirit, let us bring others to know Him. Let our holiness be attractive and cheerful and follow the mantra of St Francis de Sales, whose memorial we celebrate today, ‘Live Jesus!’

by Margaret O’Shea