By definition, you and I are Christians. I wouldn’t have written this, and you wouldn’t be reading it, if that were not so. But, what does that really mean? Is it enough to just say you believe in Jesus? Jesus Himself gives us the answer; the same answer He gave his disciples literally hours before his passion began…and the answer is NO. Simply saying you believe in Jesus is not enough. Jesus gave us the instruction “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another. This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” That last sentence means that our love for each other must be visible and be extended to all…not just to those who think, act and believe like we do. This is Jesus’ definition of a Christian. It isn’t always easy; the early apostles knew that too. In the first reading we hear Paul and Barnabas tell the early Church that “it is necessary for us to undergo many hardships to enter the kingdom of God.” The apostles could only persevere because they had received the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, and we have received that same Spirit. It is through the Spirit and God’s grace that we have the ability to truly live as Christians according to our Lord’s definition. God says “behold, I make all things new;” He accomplishes that through us living out Jesus’ definition. Reflection by parishioner, John Ceglarek