What kind of Christian are you?

Pope Francis



In his homily on May 3, Pope Francis spoke about the different kinds of Christians who follow Jesus but in a "confused manner." He referred first to the "mummified Christians," who stand still and are like "spiritual mummies," not moving forward. Second, he mentioned the "hardheaded or stubborn Christians," who know they are going the wrong way, but refuse to change direction. Next he described the "vagabond Christians" who keep turning one way, then another, but don't know where they are going. Last he spoke of the "halfway Christians" who are caught up with some idea or worldly pleasure and stop half way. He asked his listeners to decide whether they are at a standstill or have lost their way and to seek the grace to "put into practice the beatitudes and works of mercy" each day.

We can all identify with these kinds of Christians and realize we may have gotten waylaid along the journey. It is easy to become sluggish and distracted from our good intentions, especially in hard times. Jesus tells us, "I am the Way," and he is with us on our journey. If we cling to him, we can avoid losing the way.

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