Why do I need grace?
The lay apostolate is not sustained by human effort alone. It is sustained by grace.
There are times when we feel:
fragmented,
pulled in different directions,
capable of more than we are currently living,
disconnected between faith and reality,
uncertain about what God wants of us,
unable to reconcile work, relationships, faith and responsibility.
The mission entrusted to us can be demanding. We are called to love when it is difficult, persevere when we are tired, forgive when we are hurt, and remain faithful when the world encourages us to do otherwise. We cannot do this by our own strength alone.
Jesus says: “Apart from me you can do nothing.” — John 15:5
Through grace, Jesus gives us what we need to live the Christian life and carry out our mission in the world.
The lay apostolate is exercised in the world, but it is nourished by grace. This is why the lay apostolate can only begin when the Holy Spirit is present and welcome in our daily life.
Only when we work with the Holy Spirit and we are guided by the Holy Spirit can the work we do for God bear fruits that sustain and nurture life in us and in the world.
After all, the Holy Spirit is the only Sanctificator and without the Spirit of God, we cannot serve God as we ought.
But we must always give thanks to God for you, brothers and sisters beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the first fruits for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and through belief in the truth. (2 Thess 2:13)
To the exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who have been chosen and destined by God the Father and sanctified by the Spirit to be obedient to Jesus Christ and to be sprinkled with his blood: May grace and peace be yours in abundance. (1 Pet 1:1-2)
Nevertheless on some points I have written to you rather boldly by way of reminder, because of the grace given me by God to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the offering of the Gentiles may be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. (Rom 15:15-16)
But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God. (1 Cor 6:11)
