If you look at the state of the Church today, you might be slightly disconcerted. With the sex-abuse scandals, clericalism, and divisiveness within the Church itself, it is easy to see why both Catholics and non-Catholics have a hard time understanding the Church’s direction in the foreseeable future. I am not an expert in Church history. I am not a theologian. I do not claim to have all the answers or unique insight into what the Church must do to get back on track.
I know this: one small step each person can take to help restore the Church is a deliberate sacrifice. In this post-modern world, everybody has a common goal, whether spoken or unspoken, to get what they want. Companies are continually pushing the newest phone, the shiniest car, and the trendiest clothes. In an age where you can get what you want when you want it, it is essential to remember that the material world will always leave you wanting more. When you grow accustomed to getting what you want more often than not, you start to get agitated at the slightest things that don’t go your way. I am as guilty of this as anyone. I have grown up extraordinarily blessed and never wanting for anything. I want to make it clear that I do not take that for granted. If you take nothing else away, this article’s point is that you have to voluntarily give up things to strengthen your will and prepare yourself for something you cannot or do not foresee.
As Catholics, we should not be feasting all the time. Sunday is the day that was set aside for rest. Sunday is the day to feast. The rest of the week, especially Friday, should be devoted to penance. Jesus died on a Friday. He gave up His flesh for you on Friday, so too must you also give up flesh on Friday as a sign of reverence for the incredible sacrifice of Jesus Christ. As Christians, we are called to take up our cross and deny ourselves.
One way to ensure that we are not becoming lackadaisical or lukewarm in our faith is to commit to making a deliberate sacrifice. This sacrifice may look like eating less than you want to or not always eating your favorite foods. It may mean giving up your morning coffee. It may mean getting less sleep or taking cold showers. It will look different from person to person, but we must voluntarily give up things that are lawful to us so that our will is stronger against unlawful things. By denying yourself in small ways, you are actively saying no to comfortable things. If you can say no to lawful things such as food, drink, and sleep, then you will be more capable of saying no to something unlawful like sin.
“Then Jesus told his disciples, ‘If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man, if he gains the whole world and forfeits his life?'”
Matthew 16: 24-26 RSV
Catholicism Rekindled 