If you want a “Body by Jake” you have to work out incessantly like Jake! But if want a “Life by Christ” you have to love incessantly like Christ!

This means that we cannot shrink from sacrifice when a greater good is at stake. Love makes sacrifice not only doable but desirable. Sacrifice is what proves that our love is real. For this reason, Jesus speaks of his suffering and death on the cross as his “crowning achievement” or his most glorious moment!

The tens of thousands of priests and religious in the United States and around the world are a witness to this type of love. So are parents who pour their lives into their children; and teachers who serve more than 2 million students annually in the nation's 7000 Catholic elementary schools, the 650,000 students in our Catholic high schools, and the 700,000 in our Catholic colleges.

Thousands of health care workers treat 82 million patients each year in almost 600 Catholic hospitals and another 5 million, in the almost 500 church-operated health care centers. Others serve in Catholic social service agencies helping millions in the U.S. and abroad providing services ranging from food and clothing to housing and disaster relief.

Why do we do this? We are disciples of Jesus Christ who came not to be served but to serve; to give his life as a ransom for many. Besides, he told us that the only way that people would know that we are his disciples would be by our love for one another. So, let's get busy ~ and smile often!