“Everything Can And Should Lead To God”

For those (like me) who struggle with procrastination and sloth, especially when it comes to studying, St. Josemaria Escriva gives us a stern warning that it is our responsibility to be able to defend the True Faith when we are called upon to do so. The Holy Spirit is certainly capable of enlightening our hearts and minds when Holy Mother Church is attacked, but we also have to do our part. We must study and use our time wisely before we are called to defend the Church from attacks. Is it not a bit presumptuous to be lazy in our study of the Faith, assuming that God will make up the difference later? St. Josemaria cautions:

There is an urgent need for spreading the doctrine of Christ. Store up your training, fill yourself with clear ideas, with the fulness of the Christian message, so that afterwards you can pass it on to others. Do not expect God to illuminate you, for he has no reason to when you have definite human means available to you: study and work (St Josemaria Escriva, The Forge, 841).

We must spread Catholic doctrine, even though we may feel unworthy or not holy enough to do so. We are all weak, but it is miraculous how God continues to work through us and use us as His instruments. Let us pray that we may be purified so that we may be even more effective in building up the Kingdom:

Lord, we are glad to find ourselves in your wounded palm. Grasp us tight, squeeze us hard, make us lose all our earthly wretchedness, purify us, set us on fire, make us feel drenched in your Blood. And then, cast us far, far away, hungry for the harvest, to sow the seed more fruitfully each day, for Love of you. (St. Josemaria Escriva, The Forge, 5).