How Can We Be the Apostles We Are Called to Be?

Via Magnificat today, Servant of God Elisabeth Leseur explains: “I know well what this word ‘apostle’ means and all the obligations it creates. First, the necessity of an interior life that becomes stronger all the time, of drawing more than ever charity and gentle serenity from the Eucharist and from prayer, as well as making wholly spiritual intentions. Then, to cultivate my own mind systematically, to increase my knowledge of all those subjects that I am ready to learn; to do nothing precipitously or superficially; to achieve, as much as possible, competence in the subjects I study. To transform and make this intellectual effort holy through a spiritual motive, doing it humbly without any self-centeredness, but exclusively to help others.”

And this, as she continues, is very much the reason for the Catholic Voices USA project I’ve been involved with. The habits of virtue and the sacramental life will bring us to treat others as Christ would, as Christ:

To bring to all conversation and discussion a tranquil spirit, a firmness, and a friendliness that will eliminate bitterness or irritation from the opponent’s mind; never to give in where principles are concerned, but to have extraordinary tolerance for people. Above all, to try, after discovering the opening, to present the divine, unchanging Truth to each one in such a way as to make it understood and loved.

To bring great flexibility of mind and clarity of judgment to any purely intellectual matter. Each time the conversation leads me to speak of faith, I will do so simply but in a direct and firm way that will leave no doubt as to my convictions. Cleverness means noting in such matters; I am struck with the fact that unbelievers have more in common with people of deep faith than with those of inconsistent and utilitarian views. These precious unbelievers pay more attention to those who are uncompromising regarding the faith than to those who by subtlety and accommodation hope to bring them to accept the faith. And yet a bold statement must be made with intelligent sympathy and the liveliest and most delicate charity.

Let us pray, with St. St. Alphonsus Liguori: O God, present in the Eucharist, O Bread of Angels, O heavenly Food, I love You; but You are not, nor am I,
satisfied with my love. I love You, but I love You too little! Banish from my heart, O Jesus, all earthly affections and give place, or better, give the whole place to Your divine love. To fill me with Yourself, and to unite Yourself entirely to me, You come down from heaven upon the altar every day; justly then, should I think of nothing else but of loving , adoring, and pleasing You. I love you with my whole soul, with all my strength. If You want to make a return for my love, increase it and make it always more ardent!