Days after the 2008 election many pro-life Christians felt deflated and disappointed. It is hard to look at the positive and to forge ahead when the world is so full of evil. After a day or so of pity parties, it’s time to continue to wage war against evil. Christians never give up.
First Things First
Before gearing up for battle, it’s important to understand that for Christians there can be no victory and no fruit without prayer. Apostolate, no matter how noble and good will not flourish unless those involved are steeped in prayer. Whether you are involved in parish, school, or pro-life work, it will not prosper unless you are striving for personal holiness. This is basic. At the very least offering your day, saying the rosary, and examining your conscience at the end of the day are crucial. When you are able to do these simple things consistently, add Scripture reading, a weekly holy hour and Mass during the week. Slowly but surely you will find yourself in communion with God throughout the day. The key is to start small, do those things well, then to add to your prayers.
What Can I Do?
Start with your own home and family. This seems simple but is not easy. Family prayer and meals are important to pass on the faith and ideas. This is always a struggle in my home. I have tried many things throughout the years with my children, from family rosary to daily Mass, from holy hours to bedtime prayers. Things will run smoothly for a while and then fall apart for one reason or another. The key is to keep trying. As the kids get older the family gets busier. Soon there will be little family time. Try keeping the television off during the week, praying in the car to and from events, using a rosary CD in the car and keeping the radio off in the car. Many good, if short, conversations and snippets of catechism are taught in the car! Other ideas include monthly confession as a family. Many priests are happy to have families schedule a certain day and time in the month to hear the family’s confession. Have an ice cream treat afterward to celebrate everyone’s clean souls. Be sure to invite Father too.
Take advantage of all the sacraments and sacramentals the Church has to offer. Give the children holy medals and or the Brown Scapular. Put holy water fonts in the house and keep them full. Use blessed salt and oil in cooking. sprinkle blessed salt around your property line — it does not evaporate! Think of the different novenas, consecrations, and chaplets that we Catholics have. We have many weapons to fight evil. It’s time to call out the big guns and fight!
Often people feel inadequate and small and they tend to do nothing to further the Kingdom. No matter who you are and what gifts you have, by your baptism you are called to know, love, and SERVE God in this life and to be with Him forever in Heaven (Baltimore Catechism). Remember the parable of the talents. The man who felt he was given little buried his talents. Was the master happy with that? Not so much. God will not be happy with us if we don’t use our gifts to spread the Good News. Here are a few ideas for you. If you can’t get out to physically help, you can be a prayer warrior. This is important for those who are homebound. You are needed to cover with prayer those doing the actual physical work. This is the weapon that makes apostolate prosper and bear good fruit.
Volunteer at the local crisis pregnancy center or Catholic school. These places usually run on a shoestring budget and always need volunteers. How about sitting on a board for pro-life causes, a Catholic School or a food pantry or teach religious education in your parish?
You can do so many things to help make a difference in your own back yard.
Use your talents any way you can to improve the culture. If you are musical, use that gift at Mass. If you are creative, help with scouts and infuse them with Christian values. Write articles for your local diocesan paper or letters to the editor of your community paper. I have been privileged to work with several women including Catholic media personality and author Teresa Tomeo to create a new book series for tween girls emphasizing their dignity. Whatever your talents, God will use them if you are open to His call. And He is calling! This is a serious time and it’s all hands on deck.
God has given the female great gifts to further the Kingdom. Tap into them and join the fight. Many souls are being lost in our families, in our schools, in our parishes, and in our country. There’s much at stake. Immortal souls are worth the intense war we are fighting. Make no mistake though: the Church will triumph! Jesus said the gates of Hell would not prevail against Her. Join me, my fellow Christian soldiers! The war is won but the battle is raging. Christians never say “die.”
[Molly Miller will be a columnist on the new CE channel, “Today’s Catholic Woman” — opening soon.]
