Living
out our Catholic faith can be a challenge in today’s society. Our culture
severely lacks Christian morals. It is difficult and rarely convenient to stand
up for our beliefs and the Catholic teaching. We can’t do it on our own either,
it is crucial that we trust in the Lord and continually ask Him to guide us
along our journey. The Holy Spirit will work through us… if we allow Him to and
when we let Him freely move in our lives, it is truly beautiful what He can do.
Before we can go out into the world though, we need to
make sure we are right with the Lord. We can’t give something we don’t have. It
is crucial that we examine our conscience and ask the Lord to call to our
attention anything that needs to be addressed in our lives. I’m not saying we
need to have everything figured out, because if you feel you’ve come to that
point, you don’t have everything figured out. I am saying, however, that we
need to make sure our intentions are good and pleasing to the Lord.
We need to work fervently for the Lord everyday. Colossians
3:23 says we need to work willing at whatever we do, as though we are working
for the Lord rather than people. We need to live out our faith with our
actions, our speech, and our conduct.
The Lord calls each and every one of us to serve Him in a
different way. It is pivotal that we spend time in prayer discerning how the
Lord is calling us to serve Him. We each have our own unique gifts and when
used the way the Lord intended them to be used, it is a powerful thing. When we
are where the Lord wants us, no matter how heavy and challenging our cross may
be; we will have joy and peace in our hearts.
Now
is the acceptable time. As young Catholics it is easy to put off deepening our
relationship with Christ until we are graduated, moved out, attending a
Catholic College, married etc. It is dangerous to procrastinate when it comes
to our relationship with the Lord; we don’t know when we will take our last
breath. Now is an acceptable time to the Lord. Come to Him as you are: with all
your worries and problems, you don’t need to carry them on your own.
Looking
at the lives of the Saints and following their example is an excellent way to
deepen our relationship with God. While every person’s journey is different and
unique, we can look at the Saints and some of their personal crosses. If you
are struggling with depression for example, you can Google “Patron Saint of
Depression”. It is inspiring to read about how Saints handled their temptation
and the humility they conducted themselves with when carrying their crosses.
Satan
diligently works to spreads lies. A lot of people have anger and hostility towards
the Catholic Church, but the reality is they are just hurting and believing the
lies. Our actions, conduct and our speech have a profound impact on the world. When
we clothe ourselves in love we can reveal the truth and the love of God to
others. Some people are so wounded and blinded by sin that they fail to see the
love and mercy of God; we need to pray for them and that in God’s perfect
timing He’ll show them the truth.
When
we are trying to live out our faith, we should never be harsh, condemning or
judgmental. Instead we need to show mercy and love towards one another. Our
actions, speech and our conduct should reflect our beliefs. We should be slow
to speak and slow to get angry. All of us are hurting people and we need to be
gentle with one another. We are all temples of the Holy Spirit. We must pray
always and continually ask for the Lords guidance.
God Bless!
Megan
P.S. Happy Feast Day of Saint Rita of Cascia! I encourage you to read her story if you don't know it!
God Bless!
Megan
P.S. Happy Feast Day of Saint Rita of Cascia! I encourage you to read her story if you don't know it!