COME AFTER ME …

As we ready ourselves to enter the season of Advent, we begin to reflect on how we can prepare our hearts and homes for Christ’s birth in the world as it is today. Christ’s redeeming love is the true measure of charity. Charity is a heart that sees Christ in our neighbor. How can we make a sincere gift of ourselves to others? From the book of Mark 1:17, Jesus said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” The Knights of Columbus is here to help. Each Brother Knight is charged to share the opportunity of membership in our honored Order with every practical Catholic man. Knights come from every stage of life, in countless corners of the world. Invite men to join us as we celebrate real role models in a world that needs men who lead, serve, protect, and defend.

Christ calls us to unity with Him and with each other. To increase unity in our Church and our families is one of the great missions of the Knights of Columbus. Our Order prays and works to bring about the unity Our Lord wills for his Church and for our families. The book of Ephesians 4:25, provides us with the following: Daily Conduct, an Expression of Unity - Rules for the New Life. Therefore, putting away falsehood, speak the truth, each one to his neighbor, for we are members one of another. Currently, we can offer free membership into the Order. There is no better way to introduce the Knights of Columbus to our neighbor and his family. We offer the Catholic faith formation, financial protection, and family resources that can help men grow as a father, husband, and leader. With the Knights, men can become the man they want to be – and their family needs.

A Knight of Columbus is called to fraternal charity with his brother Knights. United by Baptism and the Eucharist, Knights of Columbus stand ready as brothers to bear one another’s burdens. The book of Ephesians 2:19-20, So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the holy ones and members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the capstone. It is the responsibility of every Knights of Columbus council to be an exemplary model of Catholic fraternity. There is nothing more effective at evangelizing the culture than regular, everyday people choosing to live their faith in their homes, councils, community, and parish.

Do not let this Advent Season pass without heeding the call made by Christ himself to each of us. Matthew 4:19, He said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” We owe it to our neighbor to offer them the opportunity to join us. We come from many places, backgrounds, and stages in our lives, but we are all of one faith. In God and with God, we love even those we do not know. This is the charity that evangelizes. This is the charity that gladdens the heart.

VIVAT JESUS!

Derek W. Rabey

Texas State Council

Membership Director