The Catholic Writers Guild

 

During this sojourn on earth, we’re in many ways spiritually a band of homeless migrant workers. Especially any of us who are creative types trying to craft something beautiful for the glory of God, we seem drawn to the margins of society.  A spirit in us drives our willingness to be a bit poorer to reach out to the spiritually destitute. We head out into a cold world to offer the warmth of faith to those who are freezing from the inside out.  As we come along side of those who warm their hands over the trash can where modern culture sets ablaze the substance of truth and morality, we wonder…

What does the Master of the vineyard ask of us?

Whether we are hired in the morning, afternoon or evening of our life, the Lord of the harvest needs our daily, faithful sweat and muscle to discipline ourselves so we are ready to do His work. Personally, I’m continually reminded in my own daily failings how quickly self-indulgence robs me of strength and focus.  Again and again I have to seek His mercy to be able to do this job with pure and hopefully selfless intentions. Working in God’s field, purity of intention is essential. When each act we do is motivated by a sincere love of Jesus, we are equipped to gently replant uprooted souls or pour his flowing Mercy on withering lives.

The purity of our intentions is demonstrated in our spiritual poverty. As we rely on God in each situation, even the ones that may seem trivial or where we are humiliated, it shows how good or faithful a servant we are. When “Jesus I trust in YOU” is the worldly detachment that motivates us, others will see that we live in the confidence that Jesus is trustworthy. Our example plants the seeds of trust in their heart too.

And what is our pay?

Jesus speaks to each of us in His words to St. Faustina. “I reward you for the purity of your intention which you had at the time when you acted. My Heart rejoiced that you had My love under consideration at the time… and even now you still derive benefit from this; that is, from the humiliation. Yes, My child, I want you to always have such great purity of intention in the very least things you undertake.” Diary, 1566.

We do work for food. The most satisfying kind. The body and blood of Christ sustains us. Jesus’ humility hidden in each host and His sacrificial love offered in each sip from the cup gives us all we need to do our work well.  At each Mass He invites us, with an infusion of grace that is no less personal than it is profound, to be like Him. No one who ever lived has demonstrated purity of intention and poverty of  spirit more perfectly than He who becomes food for us.  In light of the eternal and supernatural strength we receive from Jesus as the Blessed Sacrament, earthly rewards and comforts pale in comparison.

 We are called to pay it forward.

This work we do is to simply find our unique way to take the mercy we have received and offer it to others. We may be called to give it in ten thousand words or in 140 characters. We might make someone’s heart ache for heaven in a salvific story arc. We may invite desire for the JOY of virtue as readers imagine a character we create. Perhaps we are called to fill a screen with pixels that scintillate with compelling compassionate truth. Maybe we just sit across a kitchen table offering a kind word with a slice of banana bread on the side. This work, that doesn’t typically pay much on an earthly scale, offers a long term eternal benefits package that is amazing. The housing allowance brochure describes a mansion as our forever home. The ultimate welcome home will be all the sweeter because of all the people we have inspired to come and join us at our beloved God’s heavenly banquet.

As for me, I’m OK with humbly holding the cardboard sign that says to our Lord, “Will work for food.” Come sit next to me on the curb just outside of heaven anytime.  Maybe He will choose us to work in His field side by side.

 

Editor’s Note:  Cathy has taken the chance on having the Guest Blog Experience for CWG. She has “survived” the editor and I think we are all glad that she has decided to share her talent with us.  MEMBERS, contact me and do a Guest Blog.  You won’t regret it.  You could become an even better writer!  KC

 

Catholic Writer’s Guild member, author, speaker and catechist, Cathy Gilmore cultivates spiritual imagination through her books and blogging. Visit her at www.catherinecgilmore.com . Cathy’s experience with the Montessori-based children’s Bible study program, Catechesis of the Good Shepherd gives her a unique approach to writing children’s literature.  Her award winning children’s book Little Lamb Finds Christmas is the story in which the LOVE of the Good Shepherd, the MIRACLE of the Peaceable Kingdom and the JOY of Christmas are all tucked into one charming holiday parable.  Follow Cathy @The PowerOfParable on Twitter.