On Air!

Have you ever turned on the radio just in time to hear someone say or sing something that impacted your mind and heart – something that broke through an endless cycle of hopeless thoughts, or gave you needed encouragement? Catholic Radio has such a mission; a mission to bring the riches of our faith and hope in Christ to all people through the airwaves. Just recently this month, the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament was flooded with over 150 faithful Catholics who posses an extraordinary vision and goal. An International Radio Conference composed of people who currently run a Catholic radio station and those who are rookies in such a venture, spent a day here in discussion and prayer. It was incredibly inspiring to join these men and women in prayer at the Mass. Our own Bishop R. Baker preached a powerful homily on the necessity to “rejoice in hope, be patient under trial, persevere in prayer” (Romans 12:12) especially when undertaking such pronounced missionary work. He spoke of the hardships that have been and would be encountered by those committed to spreading the light of the Gospel. The cost for souls is great. Please pray for these courageous men and women who are taking St. Paul’s words with absolute seriousness: “I will gladly spend and be spent for your sakes” (2 Cor 2:15) and “woe to me if I do not preach the Gospel (1 Cor 9:15)! ” As the work of Catholic Radio continues to impact our world, let us also preach the Gospel by our words and actions! Live Jesus!

Laus Deo

Choosing All

Embarking on a missions trip, or a month long service project is a laudable and usually life changing endeavor. Yet dedicating one’s life to missionary activity and the service of those in need finds its true value and worth only in the ‘mirror of eternity.’ Saint Therese, patroness of missions, is one who understood the importance of ‘giving all.’ She lived her days so conscious of God and so attentive to Him that she strove never to miss an opportunity to offer a sacrifice for love of Him. Perhaps this is one of the roots of her unshakable confidence: the fact that she had always done God’s will and not her own. She knew He would not be outdone in generosity. This poses what would be a daunting example to us if the Saint had not called it ‘the little way.’ In a sense, Bl. Mother Teresa summed up this spirituality in her own life when she said: ‘Take whatever He gives and give whatever He takes with a big smile.’ That is a gift of self in its entirety! Do we not realize that we are immensely loved when someone readily sacrifices their own hopes and ambitions, even without our asking, just to please us? In this sense we can understand the joy God takes in His Saints. They are the ones who find all their delight in loving Him, doing His bidding, and seeking the good of His children – just because He is our Good God! When his love is reciprocated in this way, we find God where He desires to dwell… in our brothers and sisters.