Seize the Moment
Let God surprise you.
From this Sunday’s Angelus address from Pope Leo:
First of all, the Gospel tells us that Jesus began his preaching “when he heard that John had been arrested” (v. 12). He began, therefore, at what might appear to be an inopportune moment. John the Baptist had just been imprisoned, and the leaders of the people were seemingly reluctant to embrace the newness of the Messiah. Apparently, it was a time that called for caution. Yet, it was precisely in this dark situation that Jesus began to bring the light of the Good News: “The kingdom of heaven has come near” (v. 17).
In our lives, both individually and as a Church, interior struggles or circumstances we deem unfavorable can lead us to believe that it is not the right time to proclaim the Gospel, to make a decision, to make a choice, or to change a situation. In this way, however, we risk becoming paralyzed by indecision or imprisoned by excessive prudence, whereas the Gospel calls us to dare to trust. God is at work at all times; every moment is “God’s time,” even when we do not feel ready or when the situation seems unfavorable.
I admit that I get daunted by “impossible” or intimidating situations. I get too stuck in my own assessment of whether someone is likely to be receptive to the Gospel. I get fixated on “prudence” as if it were the only cardinal virtue, as if fortitude and above all justice didn’t demand I do what I can to point others towards the Lord.
I act as if it were me doing the work of conversion. And that’s just not reality.
God can change hearts. God can work miracles. I can choose to be part of that or I can choose to miss out on that.
Related:
Not long after we first converted/reverted, SuperHusband was talking with an evangelical colleague, and an old friend we’d lost touch with came up in conversation. Colleague explained they knew each other from church.
“He is a Christian??!!” SuperHusband asked, dumbfounded.
To which his colleague answered, “Funny about that. He said the exact same thing when I mentioned I knew you.”
The Gospels are chock full of unlikely suspects choosing to follow the Lord. Consider that some of them may have had friends, enemies, or family members praying for their conversion for years, even decades.
Don’t write anyone off. Don’t assume conversion is impossible. Allow God to show you miracles.
Photo, from Wikimedia’s Image of the Day: Sunset over the ice of Brofjorden in Sandvik, Brastad, Lysekil Municipality, Sweden, by W. Carter. CC 4.0.
Personal note: In our new year’s prayer request thread, I mentioned a purely fun thing I was hoping could happen, strictly for the purpose of my having fun. I mean, why not ask, right?
Y’all, I am telling you, there are seriously powerful intercessors among the readership here. I did get a promising start on the fun thing I had in mind. But then also my daughter called me up and roped me into an utterly unexpected, insanely fun adventure with her over the coming month.
Not without challenges, including a whole lot of days to be spent living in an N95 to avoid getting sick, but I’m honestly bowled over. That this could happen. To me.
Whoever it was who prayed extra on that fun request, thank you.