Many of us American Catholics — and likely those in other First World countries — run the risk of missing out on the Gospel as taught by Jesus.

 

Some modern Catholic authors for years now have been teaching what could be called a “Gospel of Good Living.” One popular author began his career by extensively quoting business motivational speakers of some 50 years ago (Zig Ziglar and others of that era). He was able to make their business-wise words seem to be his own, adding in Jesus’ name to make it sound like Catholic teaching. But it was rooted in business, not in Jesus.

 

Although that author quotes saints sometimes in his more recent works, his gospel of plenty seems entrenched in his readers, many of them young adults and some of whom are now writing their own books and quoting him. The message of being a good Catholic while having it all is powerfully attractive. 

 

But that is not quite what Jesus teaches. 

 

Both in parables and straightforward statements, Jesus warns those who are well-off, rich in money and worldly success. But His lessons are hard to absorb when we are being cheered on in the pursuit of a lovely life that fulfills us personally.

 

It is not a matter of challenging good business ethics because working hard, saving money and investing wisely are good values. Their opposites dip into sins of laziness, gluttony and other society-harming practices.

 

Obviously, raising a well-educated family, having an exciting career and saving for the future are not bad things. But such efforts might have us thinking we are doing God’s will even when we actually are doing what we want. When we are insulated in a happy place, Jesus’ hard-to-do teachings too easily bounce off our ears and minds as not-meant-for-me.

 

There are many warnings in the Gospels about letting good things so occupy us now that we lose what is eternal. Being comfortable feels good, but we can’t let it become our primary goal. We have to work against settling down into a happy complacency that is not founded on God’s will for us.

 

That is one reason why Exodus 90, featured in our July 26 issue, helped participants notice God in their lives. With its aesthetical practices and increased time spent in prayer instead of fun escapes, there was more room for God in their hearts and minds. Most of us could benefit from such a kick-start program to jar us loose from any settled-in state of being. 

 

Exodus 90 mandates formation of communities of like-minded people to provide support and remind participants why they are doing it. That is important because deliberately taking steps that will derail our comforts might seem insane to those who are not ready to take such a plunge into sacrifices made for God.

 

But such choices are not crazy. Sacrifices of all kinds can keep us from becoming the rich young man of the Gospels who was unable to “sell all you have and give to the poor ... and come follow me” when Jesus called. Because he couldn’t let good things go in order to embrace the great, he never became a disciple even with all his potential.

 

We don’t have to make huge changes all at once, like with Exodus 90, but we do have to be diligent with our efforts, and when possible to meet with supportive friends.

 

The best teachers for this undertaking, who will also tell us why sacrifices are so beneficial, are the saints — in their own words, especially. 

 

Becoming entrenched in life is not a modern temptation. Jesus’ parables drew on situations familiar to his listeners. Men of that time who were comfortable in their wealth and power were the subjects of several of Jesus’ teaching stories.

 

Jesus is more than willing to help us follow Him — especially when we prove we are serious by sacrificing some of our comforts in order to make room for Him.

 

So let’s read saints like Teresa of Avila, Francis de Sales, Therese of Lisieux and Ignatius of Loyola for inspiration.

 

Let’s ask God right now to tell us our first step.