Ordinary Lives

Dearest Ones,

Most of us lead ordinary lives. We won't get our names in the history books or in the Hall of Fame. Day in and day out, routine can get very monotonous. But for those who discover the light of Christ, suddenly everything changes. When Jesus comes and invites us to follow Him, nothing is ever dull or ordinary again.

When we look at our daily work with the eyes of faith, no two hours are alike and the dullness and monotony disappear. How many treasures the hours contain, when we live them in union with our Lord. Every minute of every hour is precious.

I read about a prisoner in Alabama, who has been there 21 years, serving a life sentence, who says he is perfectly happy - couldn't be happier on this earth. How could anyone say this, who is locked up for life and lives a dull prison routine with no hope of ever getting out? His life was never the same after he met Jesus. He knows he is paying for his bad behavior (I don't know what his crime was) and knows he deserves to be behind bars. He takes one day a week when he is completely alone, doesn't talk to anybody, spending the day in prayer.

He's an ordinary man the Lord is using as an instrument to help others find God in their life. He help a group of 25 Catholic men turn their lives around while in prison by teaching them the Catholic faith. Jesus could have done His work of saving souls alone, but He chooses to have us help Him. When I think of meeting Jesus at the end of my life, I think He will ask me one question, "Did you bring anyone with you?"

Everyone is called to be a companion to Jesus - to help save souls. Without the Spirit's power in us, we cannot do this. We are too weak in ourselves. The Holy Spirit lives in us, and only by His power can we stand against the obstacles in the world. To be strong enough to face whatever hardship comes to us, we must spend time in prayer, and ask God to give us His power, so we will have courage and strength to stand in the face of evil when it comes our way.

Some of you may be experiencing an overpowering burden right now. God never meant for us to bear our burdens alone. Listen to King David in Psalm 55:22,

"Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain you."

This does not mean David was not afraid - he experienced fear and trembling when his enemies threatened him. But in the end he could say, "He has delivered my soul in peace from the evils against me." We can learn much from David.

Don't ever put a limit on what God is able to do. Just cast your burden on Him, as He asks us to do, and let Him hold you up while He is doing His work. Grab hold of the hand of Christ, who died for you, and offer what seems to be small things, to help your family and friends get to heaven. The small, insignificant things are gigantic in the eyes of God. St. Therese said something as small as picking up a pin from the floor for the love of God can help some poor soul get to heaven. We are our neighbor's keeper.

Come after me and I will turn your ordinary lives into something extraordinary, Jesus says to all of us.
HE WHO LIFTS UP HIMSELF, LIFTS UP THE ENTIRE WORLD.

God loves you!
Sister Francelle