Episode 2717: Stop Looking to Others and Find Your Own Apostolate

Stop Looking to Other and Find Your Own Apostolate
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Opening Prayer:
Heavenly Father, we thank You for the unique gifts You have bestowed upon each of us. Help us to discern Your will for our lives, that we may use these gifts to glorify You and bring others closer to Your eternal truth. Through the intercession of Our Blessed Mother, may we be ever faithful to our apostolic mission. We ask this through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
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Today, we will explore the theme: Find Your Apostolate. Each of us has been created with unique gifts and talents by Almighty God, not for our glory, but for His. As Christ Himself taught, “To whom much is given, much will be required” (Luke 12:48).
Let us dive deeper into this vital truth, examining the teachings of Christ, the wisdom of the saints, and how you can discover your apostolic calling in life.
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1. The Biblical Foundation of Apostolic Mission:
In the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30), Christ explains that God entrusts each of us with certain gifts and expects us to use them to produce fruit for His Kingdom. The servant who buries his talent out of fear is rebuked as “wicked and slothful.” This reminds us that we cannot remain passive in our faith.
St. Paul reinforces this in his letter to the Corinthians:
“Now there are diversities of graces, but the same Spirit. And there are diversities of ministries, but the same Lord” (1 Corinthians 12:4-5).
Each of us has a role to play, whether it be in our families, our parishes, or the broader community.
2. The Unique Gifts God Gives Us:
St. Catherine of Siena famously said:
“Be who God meant you to be, and you will set the world on fire.”
Your apostolate may not look like that of someone else. God calls some to be teachers, others to be healers, others to work quietly in prayer or service. Consider the life of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, who found her vocation in the “little way” of love and sacrifice within her Carmelite convent. Her hidden life became a beacon for the entire Church.
3. Returning God’s Gifts:
St. Augustine wrote:
“God has no need of your works, but the world has. God has no need of your knowledge, but your neighbor does. Your works are needed not for God’s sake, but for your sake and for the sake of those He wishes to bless through you.”
This profound truth reminds us that our apostolate is both a personal sanctification and a means of bringing others to Christ.
4. Discerning Your Apostolate:
How can you discover what God is calling you to do?
• Prayer and Reflection: Ask God to reveal His will.
• Seek Guidance: Speak with a traditional priest or spiritual director.
• Look to Your Talents: What comes naturally to you? What are you passionate about? These are often clues to your mission.
• Act with Humility: St. Francis de Sales teaches, “Be at peace and put yourself confidently into God’s hands. He will provide for you.”
5. Examples of Apostolates in Action:
• St. John Bosco dedicated his life to educating and saving poor boys.
• St. Gianna Beretta Molla lived her vocation as a doctor, wife, and mother to the fullest, even sacrificing her life for her unborn child.
• Lay Catholics can find their apostolate in defending the faith, organizing devotions, or teaching catechism to children.
Guideline for Finding Your Apostolate: A Traditional Catholic Perspective
In traditional Catholic thought, finding your apostolate involves discerning God's will for your life and using the gifts He has given you to serve Him and others. It is equally important to recognize that not everyone is called to lead; many are called to follow and serve humbly in support of others’ missions. Both roles are essential in building the Kingdom of God.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you discern your apostolate:
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1. Acknowledge God’s Sovereignty Over Your Life
Before discerning your role, reaffirm that your life belongs to God. As St. Ignatius of Loyola taught in his Spiritual Exercises:
“Man is created to praise, reverence, and serve God our Lord, and by this means to save his soul.”
Approach discernment with a spirit of humility, surrendering your personal ambitions and preferences to God’s will.
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2. Embrace Prayer and Sacraments
Discerning your apostolate requires a life rooted in prayer and the sacraments.
• Daily Prayer: Spend time each day asking God to reveal His plan for your life.
• Frequent Confession: Regularly examine your conscience to ensure you are free from sin and open to God’s grace.
• Eucharist: Seek spiritual nourishment in Holy Communion, asking Christ to guide your heart.
St. Alphonsus Liguori said:
“Those who pray are certainly saved; those who do not pray are certainly damned.”
Prayer ensures you remain aligned with God’s will.
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3. Discern Through Obedience
Understand that following God’s will often involves submission to legitimate authority, whether in the Church, your family, or your community.
• Spiritual Direction: Seek advice from a traditional Catholic priest or spiritual director.
• Obedience to Church Teachings: Conform your life to the magisterium and teachings of the Church.
St. Benedict, in his Rule, emphasized obedience as the path to holiness:
“The first degree of humility is prompt obedience.”
Even if you are not called to lead, you can achieve great sanctity by following obediently and supporting others.
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4. Reflect on Your Talents and Passions
Consider what comes naturally to you or brings you joy. God often uses our talents and inclinations to guide us toward our apostolate. St. Thomas Aquinas teaches that grace builds upon nature, meaning your God-given abilities are likely tied to your vocation.
• Are you good at teaching? Consider catechism or youth ministry.
• Do you have organizational skills? Help coordinate parish events.
• Are you a prayerful person? Perhaps you are called to intercessory prayer or contemplative life.
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5. Seek Out Needs in Your Community
Your apostolate often becomes clear when you open your eyes to the needs of others. St. Teresa of Calcutta said:
“Find your own Calcutta. Find the sick, the suffering, and the lonely right where you are.”
Look around your parish, workplace, or neighborhood for opportunities to serve. Perhaps your role is to bring the faith to lapsed Catholics, support the poor, or promote traditional devotions in your parish.
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6. Avoid Pride in Leadership
If you are tempted to seek leadership for its own sake, examine your motives. True leaders in the Church, from the Apostles to the saints, saw leadership as a burden rather than a privilege.
St. Bernard of Clairvaux warned:
“True humility does not seek to be prominent; it prefers to follow.”
Leadership, when entrusted to you by God, is a call to serve others selflessly. However, if your role is to follow, embrace it with joy and humility, knowing that the Church cannot function without faithful followers.
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7. Accept the Role God Gives You
Sometimes, we struggle with the idea that our role may not be grand or visible. But God values obedience and faithfulness over worldly success. Remember Christ’s words:
“He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in that which is greater” (Luke 16:10).
Even the smallest acts, when done for the glory of God, have eternal significance.
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8. Act with Trust and Perseverance
Once you believe you’ve identified your apostolate, begin it with trust and perseverance. As St. Francis de Sales said:
“Do not lose courage in considering your own imperfections, but instantly set about remedying them.”
Start small and be willing to adjust as God continues to reveal His will.
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9. Maintain a Spirit of Detachment
Do not become overly attached to your specific role or achievements. Your apostolate is ultimately God’s work, not yours. As St. John the Baptist proclaimed:
“He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30).
Be willing to let go of your plans if God calls you elsewhere.
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10. Offer Everything to God
Whatever role you play whether leading or following offer it entirely to God. St. Teresa of Avila encourages us:
“Yours are the hands with which He blesses all the world.”
When you give everything to God, even the humblest task becomes part of His divine plan.
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Final Thoughts
Finding your apostolate requires faith, humility, and trust. Whether you are called to lead or follow, remember that both roles are essential to the Church. Embrace the gifts God has given you, and work tirelessly to return them to Him through your service.
Let us take comfort in the words of Christ:
“Well done, good and faithful servant; because thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will place thee over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord” (Matthew 25:21).
Conclusion:
Each of us has been created for a specific purpose, and God is counting on us to fulfill it. Let us not bury our talents or shy away from the work He entrusts to us. Instead, let us take courage in the words of Christ:
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).
Remember, no apostolate is too small. What matters is that we answer God’s call with humility, faith, and love.
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Closing Prayer:
Heavenly Father, we thank You for calling us to participate in Your divine plan. May we respond to Your grace with courage and generosity, always seeking to fulfill the purpose You have given us. Through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Apostles, and all the saints, may we persevere in our mission until we reach our heavenly home. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Thank you for joining me today. If this episode inspired you, consider sharing it with someone who might benefit from understanding their unique apostolic mission. Until next time, may God bless you abundantly!