There are times when God intervenes in our lives in a dramatic way and gives us a choice that will change our lives forever, but not only our lives; the choice we make may have a profound effect upon the lives of others.
Inspiration
We can learn from choices people have made through the centuries, and the consequences of those choices. That is why I so much enjoy reading the lives of the saints. Men and women of all walks of life and work, from all over the world, have experienced amazing conversion moments that changed their lives and caused them to choose a life in Christ and in the Church. Their choice not only brought them great joy and hope despite very difficult circumstances; it also was a means of encouragement and hope for others. There is a saying that the blood of the martyrs is the seed for the life of the Church.
Preparation
We also are called to make heroic decisions, with the help of grace, in a world that often rejects the message of Christ. The foundation that will help us make difficult decisions is a daily discipline of prayer, reception of the sacraments, and being connected with others who want to live their lives close to God. This is how people have become saints through the ages. The purpose of the Church is to proclaim the wonderful plan of salvation to the world. The Church helps its members, the faithful, to discover hope and healing in Christ. At the same time, the Church opens her arms to all; inviting them to come and see, come and hear the Good News of Jesus Christ, and discover a way of life leading to peace, hope, and of course Eternal Life.
Great Adventure
You cannot have peace in your heart if your heart is not at peace with God. St. Catherine of Siena said: Do not be satisfied with little things, because God wants great things! It is a choice that only we can make; one that will lead us to a relationship with God while discovering that the Church is present to walk with you. The choice of growing in our spiritual life affects our souls, and it will also affect our relationship with others. We all are called to respond to God’s guidance in our lives. He will give us the grace we need to make those decisions that are sometimes contrary to the rationalities of the world. It is our call to live our faith in a heroic way so that the generations that follow us may build on the same heritage that was passed on to us. Take St. John Paul II’s words to heart:
"What really matters in life is that we are loved by Christ and that we love Him in return... Life with Christ is a wonderful adventure."
Mary Jane Fox, D.H.S. is Co-Founder & Co-Director of Pilgrim Center of Hope with her husband, Deacon Tom Fox. The two left their careers after a profound conversion experience and began working full-time in ministry at their parish in 1986. After several years and having impacted tens of thousands of families, the Foxes founded Pilgrim Center of Hope in 1993 as a response to the Church’s call for a New Evangelization. Mary Jane is an invested member of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, a Dame Commander of the Holy Sepulchre.
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.
