Spread the Word!

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It has been six months since my mom passed from this life to her eternal life with Christ.  There have been days that pass without much reflection and days when I miss her so much it takes my breath away.

To hold her hand, just once more, would be the best gift I could ever get.

To be able to tell her about the things that are going on and to seek her advice would be so comforting.

But the greatest thing that brings peace to me is knowing that she believed in God.  In the months before she died, we were able to read scripture and talk about it.  We prayed together a lot.  She was anointed, forgiven her sins and received Jesus regularly.

She didn’t know high theology, but she sure trusted in Jesus, and in the end, that is all that really matters.

Every day we will likely encounter someone who only has a vague idea about who Jesus is and what it means to have a lived faith.  We will meet people who do not know Christ, or who may be holding on by a thread to a faith learned years ago as a young child.  It would be wonderful if we could remedy that.

Maybe that describes someone reading this right now.

What is the best way to try to explain faith?  How can simple words describe the beauty of a life given over to God?  How is it possible to teach someone about the importance of salvation when they have so many other things competing for their time and attention? 

When I directed a parish RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) process for those who were interested in coming into the Catholic Church, I always thought it would be difficult for someone to dedicate their time and attention to the formation process, before they really knew what it was about.

You would be surprised, though, by the people that were open to doing just that because they sensed they were supposed to be there.  You see, whenever anyone inquires and takes a step forward, you can be certain that God is prompting them and they are responding to his call. 

I have always respected the openness of seekers who would commit to the process, simply because they had an overwhelming sense that something was missing in their life, or they needed answers to some lingering questions.  No matter their personal reason, the bigger cause of their movement toward God is the fact that God is always seeking us; we just need to say Yes!

I dare say, far too many of us journey through our lives sans an awareness of God.  Living one’s faith gives purpose and meaning to our existence.  None of this makes any sense if we do not realize how much God first loves us.

What might you be able to do today to attract someone to the faith?  Will it be your ability to explain the reason for your joy?  Will it be the fact that your love of God simply oozes out of you without prompting?  Will it be your openness to speak of God to friends, family and strangers?

Maybe it will be a word, or something you do, but however you can, do all you can, to spread the Good News!

Janet Cassidy
janetcassidy.blogspot.com
janetcassidy.blubrry.net


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