Persevere in Love and Truth

Living in a world that is so often opposed to Jesus Christ and His Gospel, we find tremendous confusion, division and moral decadence. When so many political leaders embrace ideologies that undermine the right to life, the traditional family, and religious freedom, it is very easy to lose hope and feel helpless. It is then that we should heed the words of Our Savior to the disciples in a boat on the stormy sea, “It is I; do not be afraid” (Jn 6:20). Jesus spoke these words of hope as He walked toward them on the water. The disciples then immediately arrived where they wanted to go. So it is for us as well. Tossed about in the storm of today’s failing culture and anti-Christian society, we likewise hear Our Lord say, “It is I; be not afraid.” Hope returns.
            
With Jesus in our midst, we are reconfirmed in the truth that He proclaims through His Body the Church, the same truth He proclaimed during His life here on earth. United with Him and cooperating with the power of His grace, we continue to persevere in love and truth. We recognize the power He has given to us to heal our culture and transform our society in His truth. Jesus gives us a clarion call to deepen our relationship with Him, to grow in holiness, and to proclaim the truth He has given to us. Here are some suggestions of how, united with Him, we can make a difference.

I. Become a prayer warrior.

• Try to go to Mass every day, or at least as often as possible. At Mass, every day we find ourselves at the foot of the Cross, immersed in the Mysteries of Our Lord’s Passion, Death and Resurrection. It is there that we grow in love and truth, as we receive His Sacred Body and Precious Blood in Holy Communion.
• Pray the Rosary daily and experience the protection and maternal intercession of the Virgin Mother who bore God into the world. St. Padre Pio said, “The Rosary is the weapon for our times.” Sr. Lucia of Fatima declared, “There is no problem, I tell you, no matter how difficult, that we cannot solve by the prayer of the Holy Rosary.”
• Pay the Morning Offering each day on waking, and give everything to God through Our Blessed Mother. If we give all to Him, He will use us to heal the culture and change the world.
• Spend some time each day (or as often as possible) in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament.  In order to bring Him to a wounded world, we need to be healed by His Eucharistic Presence.
• Speak to God throughout the day, recommending to Him the unborn children, family life, freedom for the Church to proclaim and live the Gospel, the poor, immigrants, the sick, those in prison, the elderly, the forgotten.

II. Learn more each day about the Faith.

• Read The Catechism of the Catholic Church.
• Read Sacred Scripture daily, particularly the readings and Gospel for Mass.
• Read a book on apologetics or Church teaching.

III. Get involved in an evangelization effort.

• Join or start the Legion of Mary in your parish or area.
• Volunteer in your parish’s efforts for Eucharistic Revival.
• Invite people to come to Mass.
• Talk to others about the Catholic Faith and tell them why the Faith is important to you and why it gives you meaning, purpose, and joy.
• Get involved in service to those in need. Join efforts to serve the poor through your parish.
• Start “Walking with Moms in Need” in your area to help expectant mothers in crisis.
• Get involved in a Pro-Life effort like 40 Days for Life, through which you can witness to the dignity of human life that no one should destroy.

Do not give up hope. Love God above all things and love one another as Jesus has shown us by going to the Cross for our salvation. We have the power to transform our culture and our world. Listen to the words of Our Lord, “It is I; do not be afraid.”
 
Most Reverend William J. Waltersheid
Auxiliary Bishop of Pittsburgh