If we are working to be more like Jesus, we cannot allow ourselves to over-indulge at the ideological buffet. We’re supposed to bring our faith into the world – to help shape things in a Christian way and, most importantly, to introduce people to Jesus Christ.

All of us disciples are caught in a balancing act between what we need to do in this world to provide for families and the call to holiness. Every saint ever named understands this tug-of-war. Maybe that’s one of the reasons the Church asks us to celebrate “All Saints” today, so that we are inspired by those who have already run the race.

The Gospel makes this extraordinary claim that my relationship with God is dependent on my relationship with my neighbor.

Paul says that Spirit came with much conviction (1 Thessalonians 1:5). Do you feel convicted? Do you feel that you every fiber of your being is vibrating with the love of Jesus Christ for you and for everyone you encounter? It’s easy to get caught up in the energy of chasing the next dollar, but I suggest to you that instead of chasing that which is Caesar’s, wouldn’t we be better off pausing every now and then and allowing God’s grace to rain down upon us and so that we can use this grace to reach out with love to make this a better world?

We are invited! But we must freely choose. God will never force Himself on us.

We bring with us into the public square a rich tradition informed by faith and reason. We carry with us into our political parties the conviction in Jesus Christ to transform politics.

St. Paul tells us that instead of filling ourselves with anxiety – I would say sources of anxiety like too much social media or too much news – we should fill ourselves with praise and gratitude for what we have.

We are not called to imitate Jesus mindlessly. We are called to assimilate ourselves into Jesus’ way of thinking.

Our task as disciples is not to beat people over their heads, but to reach out with God’s love and mercy and generosity.

Even if we’re right and the other person is unreasonable, is it worth damaging our relationships with our family and friends or adding to our stress level just to prove a point?