I share the same skin tone as the President of the United States. My complexion is the reason I’ve been nicknamed “Fr Apricot.”

The President and I are worlds apart. I know nothing of business, I am far from rich, I struggle to run a parish—let alone a country—and I suffer from nerves every time I preach. My lifestyle could be considered “alternative” to that of the President.

“Alternative.” I look at that word and I often feel challenged. Being a follower of Christ means being “alternative”; we are in the world, yet not of the world.

Pope Francis was often criticised by clergy for being too critical of priests. I disagree. I think he didn’t go far enough. Most of us live quite a comfortable life and have shelter and food readily available. We see the challenge—or “cross”—in our life as celibacy, but many others who are not priests live a chaste life.

I believe the “alternative” lifestyle that Christ challenges priests to live is one of simplicity and a degree of poverty—not to invest in swanky presbyteries, but to give the value of the latest mod cons to charity. Or perhaps that’s my challenge, and I put it out into the blogosphere to remind myself to do so.

Being a follower of Christ and living an “alternative” lifestyle is not reserved for priests and religious; it is an invitation made to all. I’m inspired by Blessed Carlo Acutis, who at a very early age put a “stake in the ground” and decided to attend Mass as much as possible, to learn about the Church and the Scriptures, and to do his best to feed the poor. Yes, he supported a football team and played with computers, but his “alternative” lifestyle as a teenager following Christ converted many.

So what is your challenge? What lifestyle change is Christ asking you to take? That is between you and Him—but to find out, you must risk meeting Him in prayer and asking the question… just like the rich young man, who got the reply to sell everything he owned and give it to the poor.