Unstoppable gift of faith spawns bold witness

The theme for this month’s magazine, “Studying and Living the Faith,” comes straight from our mission statement: “To study, live, and spread the Catholic faith in our business, professional, and personal lives.” Studying and living the Faith is at the very heart of who we are as Legatus members. How we practically implement this can be explored in a variety of ways, but I think it is safe to say that the most applicable scenario now is not one that anyone imagined just a few short months ago.

Stephen Henley

The coronavirus pandemic feels like it has taken over the world, affecting every single person in one way or another. It has shut down our cities, halted the public celebration of Mass, and even taken lives, but it cannot take away our Faith. As St. Paul says, “What will separate us from the love of Christ? Will anguish, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or the sword? No, in all these things we conquer overwhelmingly through him who loved us” (Rom 8:35,37). No doubt bolstered by this truth, I have watched Legatus members redouble their commitment to studying and living the Faith amid this crisis rather than shrink back.

One great example of members studying the Faith has been our popular Catholic Leadership Through Crisis webinar series that began this spring. We have listened to bishops and priests, doctors, and presidents, absorbing each one’s perspective on what it means to be Catholic right here, right now. Truly understanding our Faith is a prerequisite to living it. The fact that these webinars have been so well attended by presidents and CEOs during a time when “business as usual” has been turned on its head is a testament to the true depth of faith among our members.

Though none of us would have chosen this situation, it has also afforded us a unique opportunity to move from simply knowing to living our Faith in an even more prominent way. As the world continues to grapple with this new and dangerous situation, it looks evermore toward its leaders for direction and example. So many idols have been demolished by the coronavirus – wealth, sports, freedom, and above all, the illusion that we are in control. People are shaken, afraid, confused. How can anyone be at peace? How can anyone have hope? We know the answer – and even more than that, we know the Person who is the answer. When Legatus members face, with a supernatural peace and a supernatural hope, all of the tough choices now thrust upon business leaders, their witness will shine like a bright light in the darkness. This is what living the Faith is all about. So we thank God who, in His omnipotence, can bring wonderful opportunity out of such a devastating situation, and we ask for the grace to embrace it, to embrace our mission as Legatus.

STEPHEN M. HENLEY is Legatus’ executive director.