“Become The Best Version of Yourself!”

While some already knew, others were just recently informed either from “Dynamic Catholic,” by Fr. Joe Esper’s recent article in “The Drift” Vicariate Newsletter, or through some other source, that the internationally-known, Catholic evangelizer, Matthew Kelly, will speak at 7pm on Friday evening, October 7th at St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church in Allen Park, MI. Tickets can be purchased at http://www.dynamiccatholic.com or by calling Holy Family Parish (HFP) in Memphis, MI at 810-392-2056. HFP will charter a bus for the event. So buy your tickets now before they are sold out!

You may also be familiar with Matthew Kelly from a previous encounter. He has authored several books like Rediscover Catholicism among others. But this past Christmas you may have received or even read his inspiring book with a purple cover entitled, Rediscover Jesus. Matthew Kelly also gave an excellent talk called, “The Best Version of Yourself,” which I highly recommend. You can purchase it on CD from http://www.lighthousecatholicmedia.org. In this talk he advises us how to stop doing six particular things so that we can become the best version of ourselves.
If I may add, there could be several obstacles that prevent us from becoming the best version of ourselves like gossiping, not praying daily, having an addiction, or being judgmental, for example. What is your obstacle and my obstacle that prevent us from becoming the best version of ourselves? Let’s name it! Our lives can be complicated at times and some of the situations we find ourselves in can be difficult. One question we may ask ourselves is do I live a life that is transparent and consistent with a life of moral virtue modeled after Jesus Christ? The reason I ask that question is because, our behavior can turn into a trio of personalities quickly which can prevent us from being the best version of ourselves. What do I mean? Am I saying we are schizophrenic? No. We may act one way in public one moment, then act another way with our close friends and family in private another moment, and then act differently in another personal moment when we are alone. But we know we are never alone, because our guardian angel is always with us, and God is always present with us at all times. Listen to the Christian tune, “In Christ Alone,” by Kristian Stanfill.
Sure, we act different with our boss and co-workers than we would with our own kids at home. But we are not called to separate who we are or even be people that fall into hypocrisy. Rather, as Catholic Christians, we are called and reminded to love God, our neighbors, ourselves, as well as our enemies. But the challenge for all of us is to live a transparent, consistent, moral life of virtue who love others no matter where we are and no matter what situation God allows us to be in whether it is in public, private, or in a personal life situation. In response to the personal life situation of being alone with God, you may want to read Bill Hybels’ book, Who You Are When No One’s Looking, which can be found at amazon.com. By recognizing our life situations, whether they are public, private, or personal, with God’s grace, we can remain transparent and consistent in what we think, what we say, and what we do which aids us to become the best version of ourselves in Jesus Christ.

In The Spirit of Becoming All That God Calls Us to Be,
Fr. Jeff
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Answers to Last Week’s Bible Questions:
1. There are 73 books in the Bible.
2. There are 46 books in the Old Testament.
3. There are 27 books in the New Testament.
4. While the name of the author for the most books or letters in the New Testament (N.T.) is St. Paul, you could argue that the author of all of the N.T. letters as well as all 73 books of the Bible is the Holy Spirit!
5. My favorite Scripture quote is two-fold: “The truth will set you free” (Jn. 8:32), and a similar version to the name of this blog, “speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ” (Eph. 4:15).

Author: Fr. Jeff Allan

Biography - Fr. Jeff Allan, was ordained a Catholic priest on June 7th, 2014 for the Archdiocese of Detroit (AOD). He graduated from Adrian College in 2001 with a degree in Business Administration and a minor in Criminal Justice. After working in the pharmaceutical sales industry for almost three years, he felt called to discern the priesthood. Before being ordained a priest, Fr. Jeff was blessed to receive three degrees from Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit. They include a Bachelor of Philosophy, Baccalaureate in Sacred Theology (STB), and a Master of Divinity (Theology). His assignments in the U.S. have included serving at multiple parishes in the Archdiocese of Detroit as an associate pastor and currently as a weekend assistant. Fr. Jeff is certified as a hospital chaplain through ACPE (Association for Clinical Pastoral Education). He has had the opportunity of serving at three Metro-Detroit Area Hospitals since 2017 where he serves in full-time ministry as a Catholic Priest and Hospital Chaplain. View all posts by Fr. Jeff Allan