We are all apostles

WE just don’t do apostolate as if it is just one more task

to be done on some parts of the day. We are first of all apostles, and

our apostolic concern should be constant and abiding, even while we

are asleep or doing all kinds of tasks during the day. We have to

learn how to convert everything in our life as an occasion and

material for doing apostolate.

            To be an apostle is an integral and even essential part of

our identity and dignity. Even on the basis of our being human

persons, we cannot help but be apostles because we are supposed to be

constantly concerned and responsible for everyone. We are all related

by the mere fact that we are human beings with intelligence and will,

enabled and mandated to know and love each other.

            That fundamental reason is even reinforced when we

consider that we are creatures of God, made in his image and likeness.

The Trinitarian life of God, which is a life of total communion among

the three persons and which we are supposed to reflect in our own

lives, urges us to always sharpen our concern and love for one

another.

            Still more, if we are to consider that we believe in

Christ and are followers of his, then we will realize that we ought to

have the same desire Christ had, which is the salvation of all

mankind. This should be the primary motive we ought to have in our

relation with others. We should be most interested in their salvation

and spiritual well-being. All other human and temporal motives only

play a secondary and instrumental role.

            Thus, our life can’t simply be a life in pursuit of

personal sanctity without doing apostolate. These two go together

inseparably, mutually affecting each other to put us in the right

track in our life. We do apostolate as we breathe.

            We need to keep that apostolic zeal burning, fueling it

with prayers, sacrifices, apostolic plans and initiatives that should

bank on some traditional means as well as the new things like the new

technologies that can do a lot to foster our apostolic activities.

            We need to spread the saving doctrine of Christ,

explaining it in season and out of season, but always with a gift of

tongue and making use of the innovative means like the media and the

social networks. These latter are in fact considered the new

Areopagus, where matters of faith are explained and discussed.

            There’s a crying need to show how God is relevant and

necessary especially in our worldly affairs. These days, what we often

see are clear signs of religious indifference, skepticism, moral

relativism, if not agnosticism and outright atheism.

            We need to see to it that this apostolic zeal should be an

overflow of a vibrant interior or spiritual life, immersed in the

faith and love of God. The study of the doctrine of Christ, and now of

the Church, is a must, since it helps us to relate the things of God

with our daily affairs, and vice-versa.

            We should try to make it a thing of the past to consider

our religious duties as mere religious sentiments, unable to explain

things.

            Let’s hope that we can also develop a universal interest

in the apostolate, in the sense that we be interested apostolically

with everyone. We certainly have our own preferences, biases and pet

peeves, but with God’s grace and our humble but persistent efforts, we

can manage to rise above them.

            That’s why we have to always polish our social skills and

our friendly attitudes so we can deepen our friendship for apostolic

purposes. The aim is to win our friends’ confidence so they and we can

journey together toward our final destination.