Heart, mind and strength

Patrick Novecosky writes that we need to slow down and give Jesus our hearts . . .

Patrick Novecosky

Those of you who, like me, grew up before the tech boom of the 1980s probably remember a more sedate, laid-back lifestyle. Life moved much slower in the 1950s, ’60s — and even the ’70s.

Your news came on TV at night or in your morning paper. Most radio newscasts lasted a few minutes. But with the advent of the personal computer and the explosion of cable news, the Internet, and hand-held devices over the last 15 years, it’s tough to escape from the relentless 24-hour news cycle.

Some have opted to turn off the noise by ditching their TVs or cutting off the cable. While it’s healthy — and difficult — to tone down the daily barrage of media, the old adage “ignorance is bliss” doesn’t work here. We’re called to be in the world but not of the world. However, that doesn’t mean tuning the world out. It means being aware of what’s going on, knowing your faith and then stepping out  in faith to change the world for the better.

How can we do that? First, be selective in your news sources. The secular mainstream media has an agenda — an unhidden bias  against practicing Christians, most especially against faithful Catholics. Choose your news carefully. And select good Catholic news sources to learn what’s going on in the Church and the culture.

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Putting the Legatus mission statement into  practice is my next advice. Learn your faith, live your faith and spread your faith. If you learn it, you’ll be well on your way to living it. You’ll not only know the “what” of Church teaching, but you’ll know the “why.” The Catechism is essential in this regard. Commit yourself to reading one or two passages a day in your prayer time. It will change you.

Lastly, pray. Get to know Jesus personally. Rote prayers are indispensable, but taking time every day to pour your heart out to him is fundamental if you don’t want the culture — the world, the flesh and the devil — to roll over you. Grounded in teaching and in your relationship with the Lord of the Universe will make you as fearless as the disciples at Pentecost.

Jesus asks us to love God with our whole heart, mind and strength (Luke 10:27). What he desires most is a deep, intimate relationship with each of us. If we move closer to Jesus, we’ll quickly notice that all of the noise in the world cannot disturb the peace he gives us.

PATRICK NOVECOSKY is Legatus magazine’s editor-in-chief. Sign up for the Legatus Insider by clicking here.