Living on the Edge

Living on the Edge

    There is a saying, well a phrase, that I often say to people and that is " Live on the Edge". It can be in response to something or just a general directive. At times it is just a tongue and cheek response to something that really is not living on the edge. For example if someone closes the window in a car not to mess up their hair I might say " come on. Live on the edge" or "live on the edge put some sprinkles on that ice cream". What is " living on the edge" then? Is it jumping out of a plane? Climbing a mountain? Swimming with sharks? Walking a tightrope that is across a building? Does living on the edge mean that you are putting your life on the line or in danger? Or is it going against what the " norm " is ? The norm is not jumping out of a plane or climbing a mountain or anything else that puts your life at risk but there is another way I want to look at " living on the edge". 

     In today's world and by that I mean society " living on the edge " is also living a Christian life and more specifically a Catholic Life. Living as a Catholic pits us against the norm of society everyday. We do not follow societies rules or regulations when it comes to many situations. From abortion, gay marriage, contraception, sex, death, and morals, we are set apart. We go against the norm of what society is telling us. We do not accept the norm if it goes against our faith.  I am not saying that all Christians or even Catholics live on the edge. If we pick and choose the beliefs we want then you are not living on the edge. To live on the edge also does not mean that we practice our faith only in the church or behind closed doors. We are out in the world expressing our beliefs, standing up for our faith and not lowering our heads or our voices when the faith is challenged. Our beliefs are under attack each and every day. You do not have to look far to see it. Turn on the news, listen to family and friends or coworkers, check social media, etc... and you will see how really living a true Christian, Catholic faith is living on the edge. 

      What most consider living on the edge does involve putting yourself as close to that edge between life and death. It's the same here living the faith. It may not be a physical death, at least I should say not here in the United Staes, but a spiritual death if we succumb to the norm. We risk our soul by not going against the norm. Even by standing and saying nothing we risk this factor. Believe me this is not easy. At times I pause and think about what I will post on social media but I know I can't just let the majority have their say either. For example when I posted a comment about the March for Life I know people will comment back and a debate may start or when I applauded the Hobby Lobby decision I knew again it can happen. Yet, this is what we are to do. We have to stand in the streets and that even means the "social media" streets and express our faith and beliefs. Our voices must call out and we are in an age where we have many opportunities to do so.  From social media, the streets, and the voting ballot. Let our voice be the loudest and unyielding. Yes there are risks with doing this. Not everyone wants to hear or accepts your right to speak. You may find yourself being the only voice around you that speaks out. Sometimes it will cost relationships or not be financially beneficial either. 

    I am Catholic 24/7. There is no down time or off the clock. Megyn Kelly said this while interviewing a worker at planned parenthood "Are you Catholic? I am. We follow rules. It is not a religion for wusses". It is not a religion for wusses. If we truly follow the faith we are living on the edge of this life in the world today. 

Until tomorrow, God Bless, and let us all live on the edge for our Catholic Faith. 

Memorial of Saint Bonaventure, Bishop and Doctor of the Church
Lectionary: 390

Reading 1

IS 7:1-9

In the days of Ahaz, king of Judah, son of Jotham, son of Uzziah,

Rezin, king of Aram,

and Pekah, king of Israel, son of Remaliah,

went up to attack Jerusalem,

but they were not able to conquer it.

When word came to the house of David that Aram

was encamped in Ephraim,

the heart of the king and the heart of the people trembled,

as the trees of the forest tremble in the wind.

Then the LORD said to Isaiah: Go out to meet Ahaz,

you and your son Shear-jashub,

at the end of the conduit of the upper pool,

on the highway of the fuller’s field, and say to him:

Take care you remain tranquil and do not fear;

let not your courage fail

before these two stumps of smoldering brands

the blazing anger of Rezin and the Arameans,

and of the son Remaliah,

because of the mischief that

Aram, Ephraim and the son of Remaliah,

plots against you, saying,

“Let us go up and tear Judah asunder, make it our own by force,

and appoint the son of Tabeel king there.”

Thus says the LORD:

This shall not stand, it shall not be!

Damascus is the capital of Aram,

and Rezin is the head of Damascus;

Samaria is the capital of Ephraim,

and Remaliah’s son the head of Samaria.

But within sixty years and five,

Ephraim shall be crushed, no longer a nation.

Unless your faith is firm

you shall not be firm!

Responsorial Psalm

PS 48:2-3A, 3B-4, 5-6, 7-8

R. (see 9d) God upholds his city for ever.

Great is the LORD and wholly to be praised

in the city of our God.

His holy mountain, fairest of heights,

is the joy of all the earth.

R. God upholds his city for ever.

Mount Zion, “the recesses of the North,”

is the city of the great King.

God is with her castles;

renowned is he as a stronghold. 

R. God upholds his city for ever.

For lo! the kings assemble,

they come on together;

They also see, and at once are stunned,

terrified, routed.

R. God upholds his city for ever.

Quaking seizes them there;

anguish, like a woman’s in labor,

As though a wind from the east

were shattering ships of Tarshish. 

R. God upholds his city for ever.

Gospel

MT 11:20-24

Jesus began to reproach the towns

where most of his mighty deeds had been done,

since they had not repented.

“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida!

For if the mighty deeds done in your midst

had been done in Tyre and Sidon,

they would long ago have repented in sackcloth and ashes.

But I tell you, it will be more tolerable

for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you.

And as for you, Capernaum:

Will you be exalted to heaven?

You will go down to the nether world.

For if the mighty deeds done in your midst had been done in Sodom,

it would have remained until this day.

But I tell you, it will be more tolerable

for the land of Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.”