Are You Irresistible?

Paul Schoonover, a buddy and a great brother-in-Christ, shared with me recently a sermon series entitled "The Irresistible Church" that is being preached by Rich Nathan of the Vineyard Church. Using the book of Acts, the series is examining the early Church which, filled with the Holy Spirit, exercised an influence that was irresistible. In other words, the signs and wonders performed by the apostles and the transformed nature of the newly baptized believers was so compelling that the Church began transforming the culture around it - despite considerable opposition and persecution. And among the most visible signs of the Church's influence was its care for the poor.

It prompted Paul and me to wonder if the Church twenty centuries later is irresistible to the rest of the world? Are we (the Church) transforming the culture around us - despite opposition and persecution? And is our care for the poor one of the most visible signs of our influence?

Monsignor Nelson Baker, Servant of God, (1841-1936) certainly was irresistible. Known in his hometown of Buffalo, NY as the "Apostle of Charity", Monsignor Baker came to the priesthood late, after first serving in the Union army during the Civil War and then running a successful grain and feed business.

He focused his ministry on the poor and abandoned, and built what later became known as a "city of charity" to serve the sick and orphans. These works of charity grew to include a home for unwed mothers and their infants when the local dredging of the Erie Canal produced thousands of baby skeletons, the result of abortions. He also opened trade schools to educate orphan boys in virtue and responsibility.

With so many programs in place to serve the needs of the poor, Monsignor Baker undertook one last building project late in his life - the Basilica of Our Lady of Victory - as a special tribute to the Blessed
Mother for the many intercessory prayers he sought from her throughout his decades of ministry.

Monsignor Baker's programs are estimated to have served close to two million people during the Great Depression. He died penniless on today's date (July 29th), 1936, at the age of 94 in a room of a hospital he had built for the poor. More than 300,000 people attended his funeral.

Now there's a life that was irresistible - one that transformed culture. It's a life for which we can thank God. And it's a life we can strive to emulate.

Now go be a saint - an irresistible saint!