Will my legacy reflect Christ?
The start of a year provides opportunities to reflect on the past 12 months. The new year also provides opportunities to look forward to what I want to do better this year, to do for fun this year, to come closer to Christ, and to help others come closer to Christ.
While I believe it is important to be “in the moment,” I do spend time thinking about my life’s legacy. How will my decisions and actions strengthen my efforts to reflect my faith journey’s goal to live that Gospel life?
For any of you who have experienced my Catholic Social Teaching 101, you know I talk about the importance of having a personal mission statement that will define one’s legacy. My mission is: With the help of the Holy Spirit, to live a Gospel life based on Catholic Social Teaching and help others do the same.
While a person's legacy can involve money, the concept of legacy is much larger than the value of an estate. It is about the richness of one's life, including what was accomplished and the impact on people and places. Ultimately, the story of a person's life is one’s legacy.
Psalm 127 challenges us to consider wisely what legacy we will leave to our children and future generations. The Psalm asserts that unless God builds and watches (verse 1) even our work to honor him will be in vain.
Legacy gives me the opportunity to live for a purpose that’s bigger than myself. It allows me to influence my family tree for generations. I am reminded of the summer my great niece told me she wanted to be a social activist because that is what she thought I was and, “You’re cool!”
I can decide to use everything I have – resources, talent, relationships, and wealth – to evangelize and bless those around me. Who I am on a consistent basis is how I will be remembered. A good question to ask is: Am I setting a good example for others to remember?
Consider a spiritual legacy. It is the foundation that strengthens faith, helps navigate life’s challenges, and guides future generations in their walk with God. Building a spiritual legacy takes time, effort and intentionality. It is one of the most important investments we can make in the lives of our loved ones and those we meet along the way. The apostle Paul urged Timothy to set an example “in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12).
There are many references in Scripture that focus on walking in faith. My favorite is Micah 6:8. The Lord tells us how he wants us to love Him and love our neighbor – to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with him. The emphasis on action and justice is clear.
What does it mean to work for social justice? Social justice promotes fairness and equity across many aspects of society. It promotes access to education, work, housing, health care, etc. It means supporting the dignity of all life from conception to natural death in all of circumstances.
Regularly reviewing Jesus Christ’s actions in the New Testament gospel accounts can help us keep His social justice legacy firmly implanted in our minds. While the gospel writers provide slightly different perspectives, taken together, they provide a clear picture.
John’s gospel account ends with a fascinating nugget for us to consider: “There are also many other things that Jesus did, but if these were to be described individually, I do not think the whole world would contain the books that would be written” (John 21:25). What has been recorded in Scripture is no doubt quite enough to keep us busy for the rest of our lives as we strive to follow the holy, righteous character of Jesus Christ.
Reading through the Gospels can help us focus on Christ’s examples and teaching – His powerful, perfect legacy. Isn’t that a legacy we should work to emulate?
