By JOe Pisani
I did something totally insane — or inane — after I saw that Mark Wahlberg Super Bowl ad for Hallow, urging us to join the Lenten 40-Day Challenge to pray along with him, Jonathan Roumie and others.
Hallow, the #1 prayer app worldwide, was being offered free for three months, and Wahlberg was asking us to take Lent seriously and pray the rosary, read Scripture, meditate, say daily devotions and go to confession. The ad so overwhelmed me with fervor that I got the app and paid for a year’s subscription.
Then, still overwhelmed with fervor, I did the unthinkable. Maybe it was the Holy Spirit working in me or maybe it was my lifelong desire to get my family members into heaven even if I have to drag them by the ears, kicking and screaming.
Anyway, I sent out a group text message with a link to the Lenten Challenge to everyone in my family — not just my wife and four daughters and their husbands, but my sisters, their husbands, their kids, their boyfriends and girlfriends. I sent it to anyone who would listen and a lot more who would not listen. Almost 20 people. With this note: “Let’s do this together. Look at the ad. I will pay for a subscription for you if you join me.”
I was so proud of myself as I pressed the send button that I sat back with a cup of coffee and waited for the responses. And waited and waited … and I’m still waiting. The silence was deafening.
To be honest, my wife replied in her usual fashion, with words of wisdom: “Why do you do things like that when you know what’s going to happen?” Great question, and I had no answer.
In her defense, she already has the Hallow app and took the challenge last year, and she’s doing it again this year. I admit I was disappointed. I mean since I invited so many people, I expected some kind of response, even if it was, “Please stop bothering us for crying out loud.” Or “Did you forget my husband’s Jewish?” Or “Thanks, great idea. We’ll look into it … not.” Or “You live your life and let us live ours.”
The possibilities were endless, but the only response was no response.
I should add that these family group texts are common: “Hey, we’re having a cook-out on Friday. Everyone’s invited!” Or “Please join us for So&So’s graduation.” Or “We’re opening the pool on Saturday. C’mon over!”
More than once I’ve been tempted to send one out that says, “Anyone up for Eucharistic adoration Friday night?” But I’ve restrained myself.
Let me say this. I know Jesus is always at work and every spiritual action has a spiritual reaction, even though we may never know the result of our prayers until the next life. But Jesus doesn’t waste prayers, so you can be sure something good’s going to happen.
That having been said, I confess that I understand how St. Monica must have felt when she was approaching the 30th year of praying for her husband with no results. At least she saw results with Augustine after 17 years.
Here’s the thing. What I witnessed is pervasive worldwide, more widespread than COVID was. It’s indifference to Jesus, which is probably worse than animosity toward Jesus. Our friends, family members, neighbors and strangers have no idea that Jesus has all the answers to all their problems. Or they just don’t care. Or maybe some of them are afraid of people who seem to be pushing religion. (I’m guilty as charged.) Still others have never been told Jesus is the way. The only way.
I suppose when it comes to spreading the Gospel, the best advice is to take Jesus’ advice: “Whoever will not receive you or listen to your words—go outside that house or town and shake the dust from your feet.” But keep moving on to the next person.
The other lesson I learned is that my faith is an unimaginably wonderful gift, the best gift possible … and that’s something people who don’t have it can’t comprehend.
