The Evangelization Imperative
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Our current times are full of uncertainty and fear. Fear of bodily harm and fear of financial ruin, fear for loved ones and fear for beloved institutions. There is extreme polarization both in the public square and within families.
Who do we turn to and where do we turn?
In hopeless and desperate times the words of Isaiah 40:28-31 bring reassurance that God is in control:
“Have you not known? Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He does not faint or grow weary;
his understanding is unsearchable.
29 He gives power to the faint,
and strengthens the powerless.
30 Even youths will faint and be weary,
and the young will fall exhausted;
31 but those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength,
they shall mount up with wings like eagles,
they shall run and not be weary,
they shall walk and not faint.”
Is.40:13: “For I, the Lord your God,
hold your right hand;
it is I who say to you, “Do not fear,
I will help you.”
These words represent true reality, that is the “real” reality that is God. God is always there at our side. Pay attention to Him, not to our feelings and our fears. His word alone is true.
Do not fear! Don’t let the fear of bodily death overcome you and your decisions. If we have died with Him, we will also rise with Him.
The highest good for secular society is a healthy, financially secure life. The highest good for a Christian is knowing, loving and serving the Lord in this life and being with Him in the next. Therefore, death has no sting. Satan controls the human race through the fear of death. Don’t let him.
Society is being shaken, quite literally, by the fear of death and the fear of economic and political collapse. If we hold on to the Kingdom we will not be shaken. Choose what you will rely on.
Have instead an attitude of gratitude: instead of focusing on what is wrong or what it missing, give thanks to God for what you have and trust that He will supply the rest at the right time. STOP COMPLAINING! Do not be overly concerned for your physical health. Do not fall into the trap of introspection. Seek instead the kingdom, and all else will be added.
Lavinia Spirito is the Founding Team Teaching Leader for Catholic Way Bible Study, currently distributed in over 42 states and internationally.
Though she grew up in Rome, Italy, Lavinia received her B.A. in Anthropology and Spanish from the University of Michigan; obtained her J.D. from The University of Kentucky College of Law; as well as a Masters in Theology from The Augustine Institute in Denver, Colorado. She is also Adjunct Lecturer for the Saint Meinrad Permanent Deacon Formation Program.
Lavinia prepares and delivers all the lectures for Catholic Way Bible Study, an in depth study of the Scriptures as applied to daily life. She travels and speaks nationally and internationally giving retreats, Priest Retreats, Parish Missions, and Days of Reflection.
She is co-host of “Real Living” a weekly podcast on Breadbox media on relevant issues facing today’s Catholics, as well as blogging and writing articles for various websites. Lavinia collaborates with Renewal Ministries in various ways, including id916. Finally she leads groups in pilgrimage to Rome, the Holy Land, and other interesting places.
She and her husband Michael live in Lexington, Kentucky and have two adult daughters.
