At the very least, a Christian is a person who is baptized and who may have received a ministry in the Church. There’s also what might be called the “half Christian”.

I am half Christian when I am indifferent and without passion for the work of the Church. I am half Christian when my choices are irrational and indecisive, when I am a fair-weather Christian, when I am cowardly and hesitate to commit myself for fear of complications and failure. I am half Christian when I am cunning and ready to compromise with sin, and when I do not dare to tell the truth.

I am an authentic Christian when I direct my choices toward the Lord, when I fear Him and His judgment alone. I am an authentic Christian when I accept slander, unjust accusations, hatred, and rejection, but refuse to accept compromising myself by conducting my life according to godless demands. I am an authentic Christian when I maintain a courageous hope, an ardent faith, and heroic charity.

Venerable Francis Xavier Nguyen Van Thaun

The post A Half or a Full Christian? first appeared on AirMaria.com.

O Mary, my mother, our mother, Mother of the Church, with you I will work for the salvation of all people. With you, I will overcome every difficulty…I trust you with my past, my present, and my future; with my sins, my desires, and my destiny as well as the destiny of those I love. As Jesus’ work was also yours may my tasks be yours. It is in you that I live, hope, and pray without ceasing in union with the holy Trinity.

Like you, I want to become love, and carry your presence everywhere so as to build an ever more beautiful world, as Jesus desires, in which people love one another and live happily and in peace.

I ask you, O Mary, to give me a heart that loves you more each day. Mary, my mother, for all my life and for all eternity I will thank you for being our mother, for having given Jesus to us… Mary, my mother, my only hope, my first love, my portion, as you participated in the sacrifice at the foot of the Cross, stay close to me each day, especially at the hour of my last sacrifice. In paradise, receive me as your son and the brother of Jesus.

Venerable Francis Xavier Nguyen Van Thaun

The post Mary our Mother first appeared on AirMaria.com.