Corpus Christi Blog

We are continuing our three-part series in which we discuss ways to practically live out our baptismal obligations of sharing in the threefold office of Jesus Christ as priest, prophet, and king. Last week, we covered how we serve as priests by offering sacrifice and prayer in our daily lives. This week, we will take a closer look at how we can live a prophetic life. First, we’ll examine what the Church teaches about the laity’s role as a prophet. Then we’ll explore the practical wisdom and advice offered by Fr. Mark-Mary Ames, CFR, in his book, Habits for Holiness: Small Steps for Making Big Spiritual Progress.

This week, we will begin a three-part series on our participation in the threefold office of Christ as priest, prophet, and king, which comes with our baptismal obligations.

Fr. Mark-Mary Ames, a Franciscan Friar of the Renewal, lives in a friary in the Bronx. He has written a book, Habits for Holiness: Small Steps for Making Big Spiritual Progress. The premise of the book is that we all know what it means to be holy in an abstract sense, but it can be a challenge to figure out how to take small, manageable steps in order to grow in holiness. To that end, Fr. Ames offers practical wisdom and advice with real-world suggestions to incorporate into our daily lives.

“I am the way, and the truth, and the life.” (Jn 14:6)

In a broader conversation with his apostles about heaven and his true identity, Jesus makes this very succinct but meaningful statement. Understanding these words is critical to the success of our spiritual journey. To achieve our goal of obtaining eternal salvation, we need to be transformed and configured to Christ. To help us along in this process, it would be helpful to have a deeper understanding of how Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life so we can more closely unite ourselves to him.

Later this week, the Church will celebrate the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a Holy Day of Obligation for Catholics. I have previously written about the four Marian dogmas, of which the Assumption is one, and the fifth Marian doctrine. I invite you to visit my website and read those to refresh your memory about what the Church teaches regarding Mary and how those teachings reveal truths about Jesus. So, rather than focusing on the Assumption specifically this week, I’d like to discuss Mary and her relationship to Catholic liturgy.

Later this week, the Church will celebrate the Feast of the Transfiguration. Since it is not a holy day of obligation nor a feast designated for a set Sunday, this is an often overlooked and undervalued feast day, one that we don’t spend much focused time reflecting on its significance. The reality is that the Transfiguration event reveals a great deal to us about Jesus and his divinity. Let’s direct our attention to the Transfiguration to inspire a more fruitful encounter with the feast.