Second Week of Lent - Friday

Last year:

Sometimes as Christians we can be a bad reflection of the Church and of Christianity in general. This can lead others to have a bad opinion of Christ and the Church, and we have to be careful about that. It is our responsibility to lead lives that will turn people towards God and not away from him. At the same time, there will be people who will live their lives or teach things contrary to what God wants, but still be Christians. Jesus himself said he would separate the chaff from the wheat at judgement, in context of those in the Church. Let's be a good example to others and also not get discouraged when others don't live up to our expections but remember that they aren't our benchmark. 

During this day of lent (whatever day you read this), say a prayer for those who are more needy than us.

Speaking of reflecting on the Church, I had the opportunity to have an awesome "Bible Study" with a young woman today.  She was talking about a lot of anti-Catholic sentiment she had grown up with.  Because of a lot of great resources she has at her disposal and the good efforts of some other Catholics she is very much considering joining the Catholic Church but knows it will strain her relationship with her parents who she probably relies on for college.  Pray for her - but this also shows what a good example of some Catholics can do.