The Cold Hard Truth: Mission Life is Unreal

By Erin Clark – Originally posted on her blog Ardent Dream (https://ardentdream.wordpress.com/)

This first week at Family Missions Company Intake has been UNREAL. Not only has my worldly view been shaken, but I have felt my heart expand for an even deeper conversion. Living in community where you are surrounded by holy men and women all striving for the same goal, holy perfection with Christ, challenges you to rewire your hierarchy of needs and put faith in God as your top priority.

Each morning we pray and thank God, share a meal in community, say the Liturgy of the hours, break into a study session, then complete a service project, have lunch in community, begin our lunch study, complete chores, have rest for personal prayer, have dinner together, have praise and worship post-dinner, and have our nights off together in community. (whew!) By the time my head hits the pillow, I fall asleep quickly and peacefully knowing that I spent the day serving the Lord. I have earned my rest.

Surely, some who are reading this have found themselves uncomfortable and may even not fully understand this new need I have for openly praising and loving God. And I don’t blame you. But, I am not here to hide behind the comforts of what is socially acceptable. Furthermore, after listening to talks, reading Vatican II on missionary work, and studying the Bible, we have established that life of missions will not be glamorous, but instead it shall be glorious.

Pope Francis calls us to ‘change the paradigm of Catholicism’. So we must preach the Gospel and serve the poor, while focusing on Jesus being the highest truth. Think of it this way, the King of all kings came down from Heaven, not to be doted on, but to humbly serve, love, and die for His people. Are we not asked to do the same? It may come as a shock to some of you but, we need to realize that Jesus came to save our souls, not bless us with material goods.

We must all follow Christ’s great commission and start LIVING our faith. Billions of people have never even heard of Jesus! This is shockingly unacceptable! I beg you to do more than check off Mass attendance once a week and confession once a year. I am challenging you to fall in love with Christ and to make Him the focus of your life daily. Break free from your worldly comforts thus ‘simultaneously assuring God’s own glory and our happiness.’ (Vatican II, Missionary Activity Chapter 1) True, authentic happiness ONLY comes from God and He wishes to bless you in all things. Start believing that!

My own personal prayer to God is for me to be remade. I must work on my own sanctification and allow God to work through me wherever I am sent. I just need to show up and the Holy Spirit will take care of the rest. Quoting the beautiful truth spoken by our Pope, “I trust in the infinite patience and mercy of God”. The world doesn’t need me, they need Jesus.

Please pray for me.

By Erin Clark