Setting the Low Bar

King Saul, was hunting David with a three thousand man army. When David’s scouts reported that Saul was there, he decided to go check it out with his nephew Abishai, who was a sort of special forces commander. Abishai made a perfectly reasonable suggestion to strike a fatal blow, but David held himself to a higher standard.

Jesus calls us to an even higher standard: love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you, turn the other cheek, and give even what you need to anyone who asks. Lend without expecting to be repaid. Don’t condemn the guilty. That’s a high bar. All things are possible through Christ, but it’s a high bar.

Today, we have a special rite to introduce some people to you. These catechumen are preparing to be baptized into the family of God.

Catechumen, I hope you will hold yourself to a higher standard, but today, I want to remind you, and everyone, of a low, low bar. Not to say we shouldn’t go for the high bar, but if we can’t even clear the low bar, then there’s no point in thinking about how we’re going to clear the high bar. Hold yourself at least to this standard. And, hold us to it. If your friend among us is not living up to this – you are invited to hassle us – to hold us accountable.

This low, low bar begins with what we call the precepts of the Catholic Church. These are the super basics. They’re basic because they aren’t difficult, and yet they set the base or foundation for living out our faith. Faith without works is dead. These are the minimum baseline of works. If we don’t get these right, then our life of faith may need life support. There can be no obligation to do the impossible, but these things are obligatory for us if they are possible for us. They are not just a good idea, they’re the law. They are, as the catechism says, “meant to guarantee to the faithful the indispensable minimum in… prayer and moral effort, in the growth in love of God and neighbor…” This is how we begin to live our faith.

You shall attend Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation. Sunday the Christian community gathers together to commemorate the Resurrection of the Lord. Holy Days are special days that are like a Sunday for us. In 2025, that’s May 29 for the Ascension, August 15 for the Assumption, December 8 for the Immaculate Conception, and December 25 for Christmas. (All Saints on November 1 is a Saturday in 2025).

Praying in the mountains, on the fishing boat, with a small group, or with some other Christian community doesn’t count. Mass during the week or via broadcast doesn’t count. Our minimum participation in the life of faith requires that we attend Mass on Sunday and holy days to say “Thank you for Jesus.” This means every Saturday night or Sunday. Every week. Show up every Sunday, then on May 29, August 15, December 8, and Christmas.

Confess your sins at least once a year. This is the most frequently forgotten or ignored. At least once a year, take the time to do a little checkup with God. How are you doing? Where are you consistently failing? Seek the grace God offers to get out of that rut and get back on track.

Humbly receive your Creator in Holy Communion at least during the Easter season. This unity with Christ and with the people of God is essential to the spiritual life within us.

Observe the prescribed days of fasting and abstinence. Jesus says “when  you fast… “ when, not if. Days of fasting and abstinence prepare us for great feasts, and help us to gain mastery over our instincts, which is essential to living with true freedom. On Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, if you are from 18 to 59, and in reasonably good health, eat just one meal. On those two days, and on the Fridays of Lent, if you are 14 and older, abstain from eating meat. Parents, if your young children do not fast, you are obligated to tell them what you are doing, and why.

Then, provide for the material needs of the Church from the time, talent, and treasure God’s given you.

Two others are elsewhere in the Catechism, but not in the current list of precepts.

Obey the laws of the Church regarding Matrimony. One man, one woman, for life. Not married by the church? Divorced and remarried? In a same sex relationship? Talk to Father or your Deacon to clear things up.

Participate in the Church’s mission to evangelize. At the very least, evangelize your own children. Baptize them, then teach them to love Christ, and what it means to be a disciple of Christ. Church law states that “Parents are obliged to take care that infants are baptized in the first few weeks” (No. 867) Not a few months. Not a few years. Not when they can decide for themselves. God provides grace and mercy but respects the free will of the parents, and that of the child when they are old enough. While there are exceptions in the case it is impossible, baptism is necessary for salvation, so we should behave as if nobody gets to Heaven without being baptized.

Listen, and I know I am on thin ice with some of you here – This applies to your children, too. When a Catechumen or a baby dies before they can be baptized, we have confidence that God receives them, because of the intention they would be baptized. For an older child, our hope is diminished. For someone beyond the age of reason, about seven, and who has not sought baptism, we may be guilty of wishful thinking if we expect that they will spend an eternity with God in Heaven. If you know that Baptism is necessary (and now you do, because I just told you so) and you choose not to be baptized, or not to baptize your child, you are very possibly choosing an eternity of separation from God. You are possibly choosing hell. Don’t.

This is how we begin to live our faith: Go to mass every Sunday and Holy Day. Go to confession once per year. Abstain from meat on the Fridays of Lent. Fast and abstain on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Receive the Eucharist during Easter. Give to the church. Evangelize, beginning at home by baptizing your children, and teaching them the good news of the Gospel. Praise God for setting this mercifully low bar that will help us to grow in love of God and neighbor, and journey towards Heaven.

• ← We are the Homily of Christ