How fashionable are we?

Lifting up his eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed, saying: “Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one.  While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled.  But now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves. I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.” (John 17: 11b-19)

True disciples of Jesus distinguish themselves from those who reject Him. This is so because their first priority is loving Jesus and practicing His teachings. They demonstrate this by way of their own actions and with the help of the Holy Spirit. An ever-present temptation for Christians is that of adapting the Gospel to one’s own prevailing behaviours and opinions in the here and now. We do so for fear of appearing out of touch with the times or seeming weird. If we as Christians give in to this temptation, we are no longer the leaven and salt of the earth. Instead we will be trampled upon by others. Let's ask ourselves just how fashionable we really are. And if we are not, let us appreciate by following the Gospel always, in our concrete, everyday choices.