Love, Prayer, Sacrifice: Our Challenge at Work - Part 2

Continuing from our last discussion, we start by asking whether we've decided to finally turn away from this world and turn to God. We recognized that our culture and society are at odds with God, hence the importance of our making a decision right now to be on God's side and turn away from our Godless secular culture. And when I say "decide" I don't mean an intellectual recognition and assent to the idea that we Catholics put God first, above everything else. Of course we say that. Do we live it?

I don't know about you, but I'm better at saying than doing. I pray early and often each morning before work that God grant me the grace to do His Holy Will each day. I offer all my work for His greater glory. But how often do my own thoughts, words and actions show this? Am I an example of a real Catholic at work (or anywhere else) or just one of the crowd?

Last time, we sought the guidance of Father William Doyle. Remember that he said:

"...our Blessed Lord wants to gather round Him a legion of chosen souls who will be devoted, heart and soul, to Him and His interests, and upon whom He may always count for help and consolation."

 Remember the question we need to ask:

"How much can I do for His love?"

So here we are, today, ready for work. What are we going to do - to do, that is, for His love? Remember what Father Doyle told us last time? That we need to be one of those who:

"...give and not count the cost, whose only pain will be that they cannot do more and give more and suffer more for Him who has done so much for them."

Rather than be part of this culture and society that has turned away from God, are we ready to step up and stand out - to be counted as for God? Will we have the courage, driven by love, to take our place as:

"...souls who are not as the rest of men, fools perhaps in the eyes of the world, for their watchword is sacrifice and not self-comfort."

So now the rubber hits the road. We leave the comfort of our homes and step into the wide world. We head for our daily work, one of His, not tied to and dragged down by our secular society and culture. But we must understand, accept and now live the reality that it all comes down to us. So what do we do right NOW. We're on our way with determination and, yes, maybe even a grain of confidence. Father, help us out here. What do we do right now, and every day?

"Every day you live means an infallible growth in holiness which may be multiplied a thousand times by a little generosity. When you get the chance, hammer into (those) around you that holiness means three things: Love, Prayer and Sacrifice."

Thank you Father. We begin with a little generosity. I notice how you didn't just say "generosity," but rather a "little" generosity. You obviously understand souls. You know how weak and indecisive we can be, how busy our days can get, how distracted we become as the day wears on. So you give us this bite-sized piece of action: a little generosity. Any of us can do that, right? I hope so.

Our generosity will impact our world, all those with whom we come in contact throughout this day. But you also challenge us so do something when we "get the chance." We notice you're not saying we should force ourselves on anyone, not be preachy or overbearing. But we must be vigilant nevertheless so that when we "get the chance" we - and these are your words - hammer into others the meaning of holiness.

Do you really mean us here? Hammer? Yes, because if not us, then who? Not only to our families and friends, but to anyone who indicates any interest or understanding of God, of religion, of our Holy Faith. If not us, who will bring them this message: Love, Prayer and Sacrifice.

Will our society and culture turn back to God? Not unless you and I, each and every one of us, stay vigilant and get ready to hammer the message into those who are ready, willing and able to hear it:

Holiness means three things: Love, Prayer and Sacrifice.

According to Father Doyle, that's how we can change our world. Do you agree?