Persistence and Humility – Keys to the Kingdom

Follow Jesus

Many times working in the Catholic Church can turn you away from your faith.  Sometimes even turn others away from you.

With limited budgets, growing concerns, grouchy coworkers, and uncharitable adversaries its a miracle many youth ministers, young adult coordinators, DREs, teachers, and clergy stay in ministry.

It’s easy to give up and turn away.  It’s even easier turn glorify yourself for success.  I have done both.

Pray, Pray, Pray

Trust in God is the number one lacking element I have seen in successful and unsuccessful Catholic ministry.  This is also the element that is not mentioned in self help or business practices.

Don’t handle or worry about each individual concern on your own.  Invite God the Father into all the concerns.  Not just once, but throughout the day.  Make it an hourly routine.

The Liturgy of the Hours is a great example of taking time throughout the day to give glory to God, pray for the salvation of the world, and pray for your ministry.

God doesn’t always answer the way we expect, but He always gives us the best.  Because His will is the best plan.

“For a long time the judge was unwilling, but eventually he thought, ‘While it is true that I neither fear God nor respect any human being, because this widow keeps bothering me I shall deliver a just decision for her lest she finally come and strike me.’”  The Lord said, “Pay attention to what the dishonest judge says.  Will not God then secure the rights of his chosen ones who call out to him day and night?  Will he be slow to answer them?  I tell you, he will see to it that justice is done for them speedily.”
Luke 18: 4-8

If this ungodly judge gave into a little widow, how much more will our Father in Heaven give us.

Humility and Charity

This is just a reminder for so many charitable missionaries of the Gospel.  It’s something to be talked about in planning meetings, personal pray, and daily activities.

Always remember the glory and graces come from God.  Our Lord through His Divine Love invites us to be ‘coworkers in the vineyard’ and participate in His plan.  However, we must never allow our egos to overshadow our Lord.

Our Blessed Mother is a wonderful example humility.  She said “YES” to the Fathers will and participate in His will.  Ask the Blessed Mother to help your team of missionaries and evangelizers emulate her virtue of humility.

I really like this passage from Luke (use it in a lesson).  It talks about how the tax collector knows his weakness and sin, but ask the Lord for His mercy.  Jesus then says the one who humbles himself will be exalted.

“But the tax collector stood off at a distance and would not even raise his eyes to heaven but beat his breast and prayed, ‘O God, be merciful to me a sinner.’  I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” Luke 18: 13-14

Mission of the Church

Love

Evangelization is the mission of the Catholic Church, so go out into the vineyard in humility.  Be persistent and ask the Father for your ‘daily bread.’  Don’t give up to human weakness, discouragement, or sin.

Sometimes motivation is lacking, but remember the words Jesus spoke concerning discipleship.  “If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”

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