10 Steps to Grow Closer to Christ Right Now
This is the second post of a series entitled “Teaching the Catholic Faith at Home Series.” Find the rest of the series here.
Passing on the faith isn’t simply about memorizing scripture and the catechism (although we will get to those later!). It’s about a relationship with Christ. It’s about uniting our joys and sufferings to Him. It’s about modeling that deep relationship of love and dependence on Christ to our children, and it starts with our own prayer walk.
Christ loves YOU.
Christ desires to know YOU!
I think that, a lot of times, are children are that bridge that brings many of us closer to Christ just because of their goodness. We know we have been entrusted these precious little souls, and we want to raise and teach them well. So, where do we go to find the tools to teach them? We start by baptizing them, but then what?
At their Baptism they are given a candle – a light. It represents the light of Christ now within them. As their parents, we promise to kindle the flame and try to never let it go out.
At YOUR Baptism you were given the same light! Your parents were given the task of keeping it burning. Maybe they did a wonderful job, and your flame never even flickered. What a gift! Or, maybe they tried their best, but the light threatened to go out many times, and you need guidance to get it burning bright again.
We need to make our light of Christ a priority. We need to burn bright enough to lead our children to Him!
Today, I will share 10 steps to grow closer to Christ right now. Do not think of them as a checklist, but as a guide to help you keep your Baptism flame burning bright so that you can show your children what Christ’s love truly means.
You don’t have to be perfect. You just have to give Christ your whole heart, and let Him do the rest.
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The Catechism of the Catholic Church
The Catechism of the Catholic Church actually has an entire section dedicated to the duty of children and parents. It describes our duty as parents to be witness to our children in the following section:
Education in the faith by the parents should begin in the child's earliest years. This already happens when family members help one another to grow in faith by the witness of a Christian life in keeping with the Gospel. Family catechesis precedes, accompanies, and enriches other forms of instruction in the faith. Parents have the mission of teaching their children to pray and to discover their vocation as children of God. The parish is the Eucharistic community and the heart of the liturgical life of Christian families; it is a privileged place for the catechesis of children and parents.
1. Attend Mass every Sunday and make Sundays a day of rest from work and other obligations
The Mass is the ultimate source of grace that we need in our life. At the Mass, we are right there in the True Presence of Christ. He is right there waiting for us in the form of bread and wine. It’s almost too much to comprehend and understand, but it is true. When we attend Mass, we are tapping into the ultimate source of true life and grace. When we are away from Mass, we are away from these things.
Attending Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation is also a Precept of the Church.
The precepts of the church are 5 things that Catholics must abide by. Five! That’s it. And they are given to us out of love and protection from Holy Mother Church
The Catechism states:
The precepts of the Church are set in the context of a moral life bound to and nourished by liturgical life. The obligatory character of these positive laws decreed by the pastoral authorities is meant to guarantee to the faithful the indispensable minimum in the spirit of prayer and moral effort, in the growth in love of God and neighbor...
So, the precepts are decided to be the “minimum in the spirit and prayer and moral effect” on our part. And, when we follow them, they result in “growth in the love of God and neighbor.” So, following the precepts of the church will allow us to love God and neighbor. All laid out for us by the Church
Thanks to our first parents (Adam and Eve) humans are weak. Routines help us battle our weaknesses, so the obligation to attend Mass every Sunday and Holy Day of Obligation is a true gift from Holy Mother Church! So, even though it’s called an “obligation,” it’s so little for us to give in return to Our Heavenly Father who give us so much!
If attending Mass is a struggle for you, just keep going. Wake up ever Sunday, and show up for God to show you His love. He has so much to give you! Every. Single. Sunday.
Even though it’s an obligation, it’s really a gift! Every Mass is a miracle, and every Mass flows with unbelievable graces when our hearts are open to them. Holy Mother Church know we are distracted and weak, so Holy Mass on Sunday is an obligation. Sunday is the Lord’s day. Sunday is a day of rest. When we order our week to give Sunday to the Lord and truly rest in Him on Sunday, so much grace, peace, and order will flow from it.
How can we make Sunday holy and restful?
Humans need rest. In a world where everything is moving so quickly that it’s hard to keep up, rest is essential. God created the universe in 6 days, and then He rested! We should follow His example.
Resting on Sundays is rightly ordered. We put out work in on Monday-Saturday, and so we can then really enjoy a day of rest.
I really enjoy this guideline of Sunday rest because it gives me a deadline for cleaning the house, doing the laundry, and finishing the schoolwork as best as we can. I can enter Monday with a somewhat clean house, and pick up where I left off. Resting on Sunday is peaceful and energizing.
Besides attending Mass on Sunday, make it special! Make a special breakfast (bagels, pancakes, omelettes, etc) and/or special dinner. We always have dessert on Sunday to celebrate the day like a “mini Easter.”
Plan a fun family activity. Head to the beach or park after Mass, or go visit Grandma! Spend quality time together as a family.
Truly rest and re-energize. Make sure that all chores and work are done prior to Sunday. It’s amazing how we can approach Monday head-on after a day of true rest. Pick a spiritual book to read, or read your bible. Pray quietly. Speak to God and listen to Him.
2. Pray a Morning Offering Daily
A morning offering is a simple way to speak to the Lord and give Him the day. Here is the Morning Offering I pray (from USCCB):
O Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer you my prayers, works, joys, and sufferings of this day for all the intentions of your Sacred Heart in union with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass throughout the world, for the salvation of souls, the reparation of sins, the reunion of all Christians, and in particular for the intentions of the Holy Father this month. Amen.
3. Read scripture daily
There are so many ways to approach this. Here are a few for you to choose from:
Listen to the daily reading and reflection on the Amen App. It’s free!
Start with Genesis and read 3 chapters a day. Summarize the reading in a journal.
Start with any book of the Bible and read 3 chapters a day. Summarize the reading in a journal.
Read one Old Testament chapter, 1 Psalms chapter, and 1 New Testament chapter everyday. Summarize the reading in a journal.
BONUS TIP: Join or start a Bible study with friends for accountability!
4. Study the Catechism daily
Read a few questions everyday from the Baltimore Catechism and memorize them
5. Receive the sacrament of Reconciliation at least once a month
This is a game changer if you have been away from the Sacrament of Reconciliation! If you haven’t been in a while, Father Mike Schmitz to the rescue!
6. Attend daily Mass and/or adoration during the week
Attend alone if possible! Start going once a month on Friday or Saturday and build up to more if possible. Adoration as much as possible is so re-energizing and fills me with so much grace. I try for once a month – ladies night with Jesus and friends!
7. Pray the rosary
Here is a guide in case you haven’t prayed it before. Another game changer! This takes about 20 minutes, and will be well worth time spent with Our Blessed Mother.
8. Ask a trusted priest for spiritual reading recommendations
Spiritual reading is always nourishing for the mind and soul. Ask a trusted priest for recommendations.
9. Complete a Daily Examen before bed
To help you prepare for Reconciliation, try a Daily Examen every night before bed. Here is a guide to complete one.
10. Pray for your spouse and children frequently
This can be as simple as saying a Hail Mary for each of them everyday or a decade of the rosary. Don’t forget to pray for your godchildren as well!
Action Step for Teaching the Catholic Faith at Home
Choose one of these steps to add to your routine this week. Which one can you add? When will you add it? Be sure to take time daily to pray and ask the Holy Spirit to guide you on your journey!