Father Judge, the founder of my religious congregation, used to say “every Catholic is called to be an apostle.” His instinct was that in the providence of our everyday life we can bring the good news of God’s grace and mercy into our homes, workplaces, schools, gyms. While that is certainly a noble calling we should have no illusion that it is an easy one. Not everyone wants to be reminded of their need for God, of the importance of turning away from sin. We can expect resistance to the gospel message. St. Paul reminds us in his first letter to the Church in Corinth the qualities needed by apostles — like us. “When ridiculed, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; when slandered, we respond gently.”
