Be the tastiest worm on the hook you can.

“Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope.”

We have seen an increase in the number of people joining the Church at the Easter vigil the last couple years. People are being drawn to the Church because of her truth and beauty in a world that is lacking in both. Many more are being drawn to the Church because of her mystery. When we hear the word mystery we think of a who-done-it. But the word mystery actually means a thing whispered; a secret. But our faith is to be anything but a thing whispered. We are to proclaim it proudly. We are to live it boldly in the public square. We are the keepers of the eternal flame and it is up to us to spread the fire of God’s love to all creation. We will be hated, maligned, and mocked by a world that hates light, beauty, and truth. It will do it’s best to silence us and make us suffer for our beliefs. We will be called every vile name they can think of because when you can’t attack the message you attack the messenger.

Instead of fighting fire with fire, hate for hate, we are to defend our faith with gentleness and reverence. We counter every attack with love. I was once asked, if we are assured of our salvation why do we say we hope for it in our Mass. It is the difference between natural and supernatural hope. Natural hope is the longing for something that may never be. I hope that I will see the Cubs win a World Series again in my lifetime. That may never come to pass. Supernatural hope is the anticipation of a promise fulfilled. We hope in the resurrection, or in other words, we look with joyful anticipation for Christ’s return. We can have this hope because Jesus did not leave us orphans when he returned to the Father. He gave us the Holy Spirit to be our advocate so we may have the spirit of truth with us at all times. It is this truth, this beauty, this hope that has drawn people to the Church since the first days and will continue to do so until the last day.

Jesus said, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” He is referring to the two commandments to love God sacrificially, and to love one another with that same love. The early Church drew people to herself using signs and wonders, healings and exorcisms. The Church today draws people to herself through the love that we share with the world. The world hates, we love. We live in an age where everything is permissible and nothing is forgiven in a faith that teaches that all can be forgiven but we must choose to walk a narrow way. That way does not restrict our freedoms but makes us free to live and love abundantly. It is this desire to have an abundant life that is drawing more and more people to the Church every year. Jesus told the Disciples that he would make them fishers of men. By that he meant that they would become the worm on the hook. Go forth and be the tastiest worm you can be and draw as many people to the Lord in this life as you can.