How We Engage Discipleship
Each Catholic Passage event and activity is designed with five qualities in mind. These characteristics are essential to all that we do. We call them the Five Ds. When our participants give themselves over to each of the Five Ds, we believe that they can better unite their lives to Jesus through the “Big D” of Christian Discipleship.
In Romans 12:2, St. Paul writes, “Do not conform yourselves to this age, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect.” The following Five Ds are meant to help us conform our lives to Christ, and in so doing, become passageways of the Father’s blessing to those around us, especially the young. These steps help us better unite our lives to Jesus through the “Big D” of Christian Discipleship.
The Catholic Passage 5 Ds
1
Dependence on God
God is the center of everything and the origin of every gift. God gave us the gifts of natural reason and supernatural faith. In every effort, we seek communion with Jesus and the guidance of the Holy Spirit through Sacred Scripture and the Tradition of the Catholic Church. Depending on God’s grace, we prayerfully walk with Christ in His mission to make disciples.
2
Dialogue in Community
We dialogue in community because Jesus is present when we gather in His name. Dialogue is more than a conversation; it is a pursuit of the truth. In dialogue, each person has something to offer and receive. Dialogue opens us to receive and reflect upon the truths of life. We ask the Holy Spirit to guide our dialogues so that we can come to encounter truth in any given topic of conversation. Since truth is not merely a concept, but a Person (John 14:6), encountering the Truth demands our response.
3
Determination of Will
When we encounter the truth, we must determine whether to reject or accept it. We can determine, with our own free will, to let the truth bear influence in our lives by shaping our understanding and attitudes. Determination is where the discovered truth becomes conviction. It paves the path towards real-life application. When we accept the truth, we say “yes” to the Lord’s work of transformation in and through us.
4
Decisions Lived
Real-life application of learning happens in the decisions of our daily, ordinary lives. We reform our decision-making in the light of our newfound convictions. Whether it is in our own interior lives, daily schedules, or interactions with young people, we are challenged to put our conviction into action. Jesus likens hearing His words and acting on them to building our houses upon rock instead of sand (Matthew 7:24). The Holy Spirit is our strength and wisdom.
5
Differences Made
Differences are made when decisions are lived lovingly and consistently. Decisions are like raindrops on a lake; the ripple always surpasses the point of impact. As with everything, we entrust the fruitfulness of our decisions to the goodness of God. We need only depend on Him and try. Every adult has the power to build up a child in faith and life, now and for eternity. With differences made, we lift to the Lord our hearts of praise and thanksgiving each time we participate in the offering of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.