From Being Pastor to Being Catholic

January 24, 2026 Saturday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time
Memorial of Saint Francis de Sales, Bishop and Doctor of the Church
Daily Readings: 2 Samuel 1:1-4, 11-12, 19, 23-27; Mark 3:20-2

Children of God: Several years ago, I met a pastor-turned-Catholic: Noe Dora.  He was a Protestant pastor who preached with conviction and was respected in his community. Over time, his study of Scripture and Church history led him to questions he could no longer ignore. 

These deeper search for truth guided him toward the Holy, Catholic, Apostolic Church.  

To cut things short, when Noe Dora decided to become Catholic, the reaction of his family and friends was intense. Some felt betrayed, others were confused, and many thought he had lost his way. He was criticized, misunderstood, and even judged as foolish for leaving what was familiar and secure. 

Yet he remained firm, believing that faithfulness to his conscience demands the courage to stand alone.
A similar tension unfolds around Jesus himself. As crowds gather and demands increase, those closest to him begin to worry, not about his mission, but about his sanity. 

What, then, are our inspirations for today as we reflect on misunderstanding, faith, and courage?

First, doing God’s will can invite misunderstanding even from those closest to us.

This is a hardcore real-talk. With so many people following him, Jesus became so busy that his life becomes consumed by mission, leaving no room for ordinary rhythms. What others see is excess, imbalance, and danger. Red flags alert! His relatives even said, “He is out of his mind” (Mark 3:21). 

This speaks directly to anyone who has chosen a difficult path of faith. Following one’s conscience can disturb even those who love us most, because our obedience exposes their fears. Sometimes doing God’s will does not look holy at first glance; it looks excessive, unwise, or extreme. 

But the gospel reminds us that faithfulness is not measured by comfort or approval, but by fidelity to the call of God.

Second, faithfulness requires interior freedom more than external approval.

Jesus does not stop his mission to explain himself or to seek validation. He was focused despite pressure and judgment. His clarity comes from his relationship with the Father, not from public opinion.

This inner freedom is what sustains anyone who walks a lonely road of conviction. Approval may disappear, support may weaken, and voices may grow louder, but faith rooted in truth remains steady. Jesus models a life anchored in purpose rather than popularity.

For us today, this is a challenging invitation. Are our decisions shaped by fear of being misunderstood, or by faithfulness to what we believe God is asking of us? True discipleship often begins when applause ends.

Children of God: Even good intentions can become obstacles when fear replaces trust. Jesus stands firm, teaching us that clarity of mission matters more than comfort. May we have the courage to follow God even when misunderstood, and the humility to respect faith journeys that challenge our own comfort.