The Office for Evangelization has selected "The Four Signs of a Dynamic Catholic" to be the next One Book, One Diocese selection.
The author, Matthew Kelly, is a popular motivational Catholic writer and speaker who challenges his readers and listeners to become a “better-version-of-yourself.” He does so by helping us first to know and appreciate our Catholic Faith and then to live it and share it. He has put his ideas in writing in very easy to read books.
The book chosen for our present consideration describes four typical qualities of “dynamic” Catholics, which Mr. Kelly identifies as: prayer, study, generosity and evangelization. He singles out people who do not seek to do the mere minimum required to be considered Catholic. Rather, dynamic Catholics strive to be the best possible disciples they can be, each and every day.
What this means is that prayer is a daily activity that takes priority over many superficial ones. Dynamic Catholics are lifelong learners, doing what they can to grow in knowledge and understanding of the Faith. They are known also for their generosity in time, talent and treasure shared with God and His Church. And, finally, their love for Jesus is evident in the various ways that they share their faith with others.
Most of us probably would like to be known as dynamic Catholics. So what is stopping us? We don’t want to stand out in the crowd. We’re too busy. We don’t have what it takes. These typical excuses cause us to be unmotivated to take a step forward in our spiritual life. Oftentimes this is the result of thinking we have to make radical changes all at once. Mr. Kelly suggests that we take one small step at a time, which will reap great spiritual rewards over time.
Begin with a commitment of just a couple minutes (or extra minutes) of prayer each day. Add just five pages of daily reading from a good Catholic book. Deliberately plan to incrementally increase financial support of the parish and charity until reaching a full 10% tithe. Finally, try to share your faith in some simple way just once each week. Any serious well-intentioned Catholic should be able to say, “I can do that!”
Matthew Kelly suggests that few Catholics presently could be described as “dynamic”, but he proposes realistic ways to increase those numbers. Many Catholics are dutiful--that is, they attend Mass regularly and are active in their parishes. But the New Evangelization needed to revitalize the Church in our day requires that dutiful Catholics become dynamic so that the Church may not only preserve its influence in society, but also may begin to transform it in radical ways.
The reform of the world must begin with the reform of individuals. Matthew Kelly provides us with helpful hints for moving forward in our quest for holiness by becoming the-best-version-of-ourselves. His insights are worthy not only of personal reflection, but also of group study. This book is inexpensive and already has been distributed widely. Plan now to join another person or group in delving into each chapter of this engaging book so that we might challenge one another to deepen and enliven our Catholic faith.
