Living Our Call

“Let nothing disturb you,
Let nothing frighten you,
All things are passing away:
God never changes.
Patience obtains all things.
Whoever has God lacks nothing;
God alone suffices.”
– Santa Teresa of Avila

Searching in and out

A few months ago, I was listening to a mother of three kids, two of them with special needs sharing how difficult it has been losing her job, keeping piles of unpaid bills, and even worst, looking for a place where to find the next meal for her children. Usually, during difficult times people say: “everything is going to be ok.” Instead, I prefer to share the Psalms 31:25:

“Be strong and take heart, all who hope in the Lord.”

There are many reasons why someone might feel confused or sadden, especially during the past months when many might have felt “left behind”. However, people’s actions might change the course of events. I was amazed about how wonderfully generous hearts get out of their comfort zone to care for others in need by working extra hours giving up their rest, volunteering to either deliver food to the elderly unable to get their own groceries, standing for hours giving food to those who lose their job or calling to their neighbors just to check on them. The list goes on.

God among us

Some have decided not to harden their hearts and become Jesus’ witnesses with their actions by caring for others or strengthening their faith by holding tight to prayer.

“Encourage yourselves daily while it is still “today,” so that none of you grow hardened by the deceit of sin” – Hebrews 3:13

However, others are struggling with their faith. I am sure I am not the only one who has heard people say: “I want to see Jesus.” We need to be attentive and look around with a different lens so we can be able to see God’s hand in our midst or even more, listen to his voice. We need to BELIEVE that it is God who is calling us by name to go out and do his will. (1Samuel 3:7-8)
We need to realize that being a real follower and friend of Jesus means trusting, obeying, and surrendering our self-will to who love us the most, Jesus our Lord. If we want to journey this life with Jesus and be feed by his teachings, we need to get closer to him to know him more, and consequently love him more as well. Some are willing to lend a hand to teach His words and life as Pilgrim Center of Hope through conferences, pilgrimages, and various media productions. I encourage you to come and see and discover what Jesus has in store for you, as I did one day.

Living in love

Knowing Jesus is surrendering our intellect and heart to him by showing the world that he knows us better than we know ourselves and his plan in our life is better than we can imagine. He will guide us in every step and provide what is needed sometimes with unimaginable surprises as we remain in his love and follow his commands.

We should live a faithful life dressed up with Jesus’ love as we fulfill our everyday life, and one of God’s commands, love one another (John 15:17). God is calling us to bear fruit remaining in him, the vine.

It is necessary to shorten the distance between us and  Jesus. If we keep our mind and heart away from him, we could make the mistake of believing that someone or something else is able to meet our needs. However, we need to realize that as long as we remain in Jesus, he will work through us to continue building a community of which we are part of. We cannot prescind from our union with others if we want to fully live our faith. We cannot divert from Jesus who provides to us, the branches, everything to bear fruit. We are called to be instruments of God if we want to fulfill our purpose of knowing him, serve him, and love him. After all, God has written in our hearts the desired to see him and is always drawing us to him because only in him we will fully live the truth and happiness that we are always searching for. (CCC 27)

Veronica is a bilingual wife, mother, lay evangelist, and a member of Pilgrim Center of Hope’s Speaker Team.

Answering Christ’s call, Pilgrim Center of Hope guides people to encounter Him so as to live in hope, as pilgrims in daily life. See what’s happening & let us journey with you! Visit PilgrimCenterOfHope.org.