Perhaps the title of this chapter sums up better than any-thing else the perennial temptation to mediocrity that we face. It states it in most reasonable terms, as the prudent way to go, the sure thing to do. It seems faultless.  

the siren song 

But in terms of the Christian life, we must say it is extremely dangerous and implies a fundamental misunderstanding of what the Kingdom of Christ is. It sounds terribly like a certain man, afraid of losing the talent his master had given him to trade with, wrapping it in a cloth... 

what is "better?"  

There are two main ways in which we judge if one thing is better than another: by looking at and comparing each one's value in itself, or by comparing them in relation to the job at hand. So a china cup may really be better than a tin one, but if you're packing a rucksack for a camping trip there is no doubt which you would prefer. 

What we are concerned with at this point is not the theoretical examination and comparison of the married and consecrated vocations in themselves. The question here has a more practical edge to it. Our chapter could possibly be subtitled, It's hard to be a good priest, but if I am a good Christian instead of a bad priest I will at least save myself.  

There are a few misconceptions here: 

· one, the center of consideration is ourselves,  

· two, it implies there exists an easy way to follow Christ,  

· three, it is based on fear,  

four, it focuses on the minimal approach that concentrates on not doing evil, rather than on the immense amount of good there is to do.  

no underclass 

Christ has no plans for a Christian "underclass," least of all today. His Church is not made up of some who accept him wholeheartedly as Master, Lord and Friend, and then a further gray mass who don't quite. 

Christ did not predict that only some of his followers would have to pick up their cross to follow him. He did not say that only some, a select group, should let their light shine before men. He did not say that loving God with all our hearts, all our souls, and all our strength, and loving our neighbor as ourselves was the exclusive commission for a reduced cadre of priests and religious in his Church. 

Christ's call is sweeping. He calls all men to himself. And you are one of them. 

All his followers are called to take up the cross daily. And you are one of them. 

He tells all his followers they are to be light to the world. And you are one of them.  

All of his followers are called to go out and preach, to give witness. And you are one of them. 

Your vocation is the way he wants you to do the above. 

the common denominator 

Common denominators are usually bits of things. Not so with Christ. The common denominator of his followers is not a bit of them, some aspect of their lives that is similar for them all. Their common denominator is their baptism which has transformed their whole selves and consecrated them entirely to God.  

the narrow way 

The Christian life is a challenge, no matter what the particular path Christ has called you to live it by. The mistake of thinking that it is easier, less risky as a lay person is an attractive one - it seems to provide a way out - but it does not find any basis in the gospel or Christ's actions, or in reality.  

The majority of Christians do reach salvation as lay persons, but to call theirs the "easy way" would be demeaning to them, to the price they pay for their fidelity, and to the much heroism one sees in the way they go about what Christ expects of them. Theirs is still the narrow and steep path, especially in the world we live in today, which reaches even inside their homes in its attempt to destroy and ridicule the values they live by. 

No Christian was ever saved through mediocrity. You wicked, lazy servant, you should have put it in for interest. And the light that our Lord wants to shine before men has to be distinguishable from the darkness around it.  

be not afraid 

Peter walked on the waters only for so long.  

His mistake was to take his eyes off the Lord who commanded him to come to him over the water, and to start looking at the waves and his own possibilities. He was caught in a paralyzing fear that stifled his faith and he began to sink. When we look at ourselves, we fall victims to fear and the power of our faith is checkmated.  

Peter feared and began to sink.  

The disciples feared and first they ran away, then they locked themselves up.  

The rich young man feared and backpedaled. The man with the one talent feared and hid it.  

Pilate feared and copped out.  

Such is the pervasive presence and power of fear.  

Yet, Christ insists: Be not afraid. I have conquered the world. Fear not those who can cause you only bodily harm. I will be with you always. The Holy Spirit will give you the words you are to say. For man it is impossible, for God all things are possible.  

giving better fruits 

More shall be asked from the man who received more. We have to change the emphasis in our thinking, from ourselves to Christ and to building his Kingdom. When we say something is better we tend to mean it seems more comfortable for us and suits us better. But our real focus as baptized Christians, Christ's disciples, should be on what is better for the coming of the Kingdom.  

The gift of faith gives us a special experience of God's love for us. He invites us to mark our Christian living with a special effort to love him in return in the way he deserves. This includes searching and appreciating the gift he has given us. If that is a vocation, then true love for him will include making that vocation give all the fruit it can. That is really what is better for me. 

And then for the Kingdom: with God's grace, what is the best I can do for souls? From the thoughts, reflections, spiritual sensitivity, spiritual attractions he has placed in my soul, is he inviting me to build his Kingdom through the consecrated life?  

If he is, then be not afraid. Follow him. The spirit we have been given is not a spirit of fear but of trust.