My new website launched last week. While there are bound to be tweaks and changes, I’m very happy with the current state of it. I would say it was a “soft launch,” of sorts, until I mention it here on a newsletter to hundreds of people, and then I suppose it is no longer soft.
Both while working with my friend who was designing the site and while beginning this whole new project/apostolate/business/career, I have done quite a lot of reflecting on the idea of building a brand. Several years ago, I attended a virtual conference on creating a platform. Some of the talks were really helpful, while others gave me a stomachache. I didn’t want to create a platform. Or did I? I didn’t want to build a brand. Or did I?
Fast forward to now, and I’m faced with the same dilemma, only even more exigent. If I’m going to be heard, people need to know I exist. Even more, they need to know that I have something halfway decent to say and can say it well. I believe I’ve been given certain talents and graced experiences that were not given to me for me but to share with others. Luke 12:48 weighs heavily on me: “Every one to whom much is given, of him will much be required.”
Ultimately, it’s not about me being a successful speaker and writer. It’s about me being an instrument of God to spread the Gospel. That’s what has been placed on my heart. I want to share what I know, I want to introduce people to the joy of the Gospel, I want to move hearts towards friendship with Jesus. I don’t want success for success’ sake. I want success because I can see the need so clearly: people in the pew are searching. I want to help them find answers.
Many people have told me that God will bless my work if I am striving to work for Him. And while I know that’s true, I don’t think that comes by sitting back and telling God, “Well, you gave me these talents, these desires, and this mission - now give me an audience.” When Joan of Arc was being questioned at Poitiers before the Dauphin would give her an army, they tested her by pointing out that if God wanted to deliver the people of France, He could do it without men-at-arms. She replied, “By God the men-at-arms will do battle, and God will give the victory.”
The fact that God will do the work does not mean we can just sit back and watch.
The people in the pew are hungry. I want to help feed them. But that requires that someone out there knows I can.
So I’m forced to think of building a platform. So my thoughts go to my audience, my niche, my brand. My, my, my. Me, me, me. Isn’t that the world of social media? I was just reading an article about how we all have “main character energy” now. I felt that stomachache returning. Because I don't want to be the main character. It’s not about Joannie. It’s about Jesus.
I was listening to Bishop Barron reflect on the mystery of the Visitation while he led the rosary, and he spoke about the theo-drama vs the ego-drama. In our world today, we are surrounded by people living as main characters in their own ego-dramas. Holiness requires us to step back and realize none of us are main characters. True joy is found when we live in the theo-drama, as players on the stage where everything points to Him.
So perhaps it’s fitting that I’m writing this on the feast of the birth of John the Baptist, the forerunner the Messiah. After Joseph and Mary, John was the first person to think those thoughts: It’s not about me, it’s about Jesus. Perhaps John should be the patron of those of us caught in that weird trap of creating a platform but staying focused on Jesus.
A friend just asked me this evening - not knowing I had been writing this all day - how I had solved my humility/pride struggle. I had told her years ago that I was afraid to go off on my own because of the temptations to pride while building your own platform. How could I stay humble while pushing myself and my work? I told her this evening that I didn’t have an answer yet, but it no longer worried me because I entrusted it to the Lord. I just want to be his instrument. I would rather you know Jesus than Joannie. But I do want you to know me, too, because I want to help you love Jesus.
Speaking of love…in the midst of this, I’ve also discovered something disheartening. The fastest way to create a platform, build a brand, and find your niche is to make people angry. Many Christians right now who have managed to set themselves apart would not claim to have built a brand. They would say they simply spoke the truth, and people came to them.
But if you look closer, you’ll see that many of these people, more than simply teaching the truth, are sharing their opinions, views, and takes on various issues. If my opinion is your opinion, you’ll feel a bond with me, want to support me, and feel allegiance towards me. Guess what? That’s a brand. That’s a platform.
And today’s divisive culture, that usually looks like getting angry together.
It’s easier to get the masses on board through anger than love. But I don’t want to help you hate something. I want to help you love Someone.
And that’s a brand I’m willing to build the correct way. One person at a time.
As part of this new project, I’m thrilled announce two opportunities for pilgrimages with the Catholic Traveler and me! If you know me, and even if you only know me through this, you probably know that my travels have been an enormous part of my own spiritual journey. Someday I’ll tell you about Rome 2005, because if you’re with me for more than an hour, it will probably come up in conversation.
The best thing about pilgrimages is bringing people to the places and sharing the stories that changed my own life. The stories of Clare of Assisi, Catherine of Siena, Peter, Frances of Rome, and, well… Jesus Christ. I love seeing the looks on people’s faces when they learn something new about the Faith or when they are inspired by the saints or by the beauty before them to follow Christ in a new way. I love hearing the highlights of the day over a glass of wine or an Aperol spritz and praying alongside them at Mass in incredible basilicas or tiny ancient churches or in a tent in the Jordanian desert.
There are currently two opportunities to travel with me- and I promise, many more to come. You can find out more on my website - just scroll down a bit and you'll see the “Travel” link.
Another feature I love about the website is my speaking page. Do you know of a parish, diocese, school system, or apostolate who is looking for a speaker? I do parish missions, retreats, conferences, catechist inservices… And I would love to come speak to your group. There are several ways to contact me, including a form if you’re interested in one of the talks I give. And guess what? I give virtual talks, too. My patrons get to enjoy a bible study every month and I just gave a morning of reflection on the lessons of Joan of Arc via Zoom last week, and we all had a great time. So there’s an option for that on the form, too! Let’s talk.
Keep me in your prayers. Don’t be shy to share my work. And know that I’m very grateful to all my patrons. The great works of art of the Middle Ages and Renaissance were supported by patrons. Why not become a patron of the art of spreading the Gospel?