Metanoia for Our Plans and Our Purpose: Creating a Mission-centric Business

“When Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi he asked his disciples, ‘Who do people say that the Son of Man is?’ They replied, ‘Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.’ He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’” (Matthew 16:13-15).

As Catholic women in business, we are industry leaders, movers, and shakers of our companies and communities. We’re uniquely positioned to influence and be influenced, and with that position comes the awesome responsibility to further missions, deliver solutions, and illuminate opportunities.

In Matthew 16:13, Jesus asks the apostles who the entire world, full of loud opinions, says that He is. Was Christ really interested in hearing about what the world says? Or, rather, was he emphasizing the importance of Peter’s answer — and in our answer — to the question?

“We’re going to stand before the Lord, and he’s going to ask us, ‘Who am I to YOU?,’” says Father Dave Pivonka, president of Franciscan University of Steubenville, in the visually stunning series “Metanoia.” “Metanoia is the moment when each one of us moves away from who other people say Jesus is, to who He is to me, in my own life, to my own person … Metanoia is a continual process, a journey of discovering who Jesus is.”

Who do I determine that Jesus is? Is he real to me? Is he an intrinsic element of my career and my business?

One way that we can deliberately focus on a continual conversion is creating our businesses to be mission-centric.

The Many Faces of Mission-centric Organizations

Just as each of our spiritualities is different, so are the various opportunities that we as business owners can take advantage of to reflect our values in our businesses. From thoughtfully crafting a set of corporate core values to strategically incorporating a triple-bottom-line approach to our core business objectives, corporate social responsibility and giving should not be an afterthought. In fact, it turns out that doing good is good for business.

Here are four well-known secular organizations that encourage giving back as part of a corporate DNA . Joining like-minded businesses offers entrepreneurs an inspiring community and resources to externally acknowledge that they’re part of a global force for good.

Pledge 1%: a movement that empowers companies of all sizes and stages to donate 1% of their choosing (staff time, product, profit, and/or equity) to any charity.

1% for the Planet: A movement that funds environmental organizations and connects members with high-impact nonprofit partners that align with their values and add to their brand story. (Note: There is a cost associated with membership to 1% for the Planet.)

Certified B Corporation: B corporations are a new type of business that balance purpose and profit. Certification is a designation that legally requiring a business to consider the impact of its decisions on its workers, customers, suppliers, community, and the environment. (Note: There is a cost associated to becoming a Certified B Corp.)

Fair Trade Certified: Fair Trade Certified is a seal that represents a movement of a diverse network of producers, companies, consumers, advocates, and organizations putting people and planet first. Producers, brands/traders, and retailers have the potential to become either Fair Trade Certified or to label and sell Fair Trade Certified products.

Developing Our Internal Disposition to Reflect Our Belief

The values I hold dear, which flow from my conviction of Christ’s presence in my life, shouldn’t be put under a bushel basket but should shine for all to see (Matthew 5:15). It’s important, above all, to develop an interior life focused on continual conversion, on metanoia. I suggest that we periodically reflect on a few questions:

Am I a living witness to my faith, and not just inside Catholic circles?

Can others tell that I’m a faith-filled woman by the way I conduct myself and how I spend my time?

Do I reflect my belief in Jesus through my professional influence?

It’s been said that if you aren’t moving forward, sooner or later, you’re going to move backward. One beautiful and simple way to grow in faith is with the Magnificat, whose pages offer daily readings, prayers, and meditations. Other ways are reading the Bible or spiritual books daily and scheduling adoration time.

When I’m the Only One Whose Answer Matters

When I stand before Jesus, and He asks me that one question, “Who do YOU say that I am?”, it won’t matter what my husband says, what church leaders say, or even what the saints say. I will have to answer who Christ is to me in my heart and whether I channeled that belief outward to a world who desperately needs Him.

Laura Pugliano is marketing and content strategist at the digital solutions provider Candoris and an alumna of Franciscan University of Steubenville. Along with her husband, she’s working to launch a brand and bottle the olive oil that her Italian in-laws produce in Southern Italy, where she and her family spend summers in the sea, sun, and olive groves. Join Laura on Twitter and Instagram.