Apostolate and Prayer

Lord, help me understand that a greater union with You will make my apostolate fruitful.

God called St. Anthony of the Desert to a greater trust and union with Him.  At first, he did not leave everything and follow God.  He had property, wealth and a sister who was in his care.  But yet, God still called him to a greater apostolate.

On some levels, we too hold back from a greater union with God. We want our Lord to enter into our soul and speak to us, but not too deep into the inner mountain!  We fear what He might ask of us; we do not trust that whatever He is asking of us — is what is best for our soul.

Like St. Anthony of the Desert, many saints have spent years of prayer and purification as they "waited on the Lord".  This is how we trust Him.  This is how we become truly humble.  This is how our apostolate becomes fruitful. We pray — we wait — and then when we hear His voice in the silence of our hearts we say, "yes, Lord".  We should not dictate to Him how we want to live out our lives; we should wait for His direction on how we are to be a good tool in His hands.

Fear is the enemy of spiritual growth. As we grow in love through a stronger prayer life, love then, casts out all fear. Through prayer, we rid the soul of all that is lacking in us, allowing God's grace and love to cultivate our interior mountain.

Like St. Anthony of the Desert, may we withdraw into a life of prayer and allow our Lord to strengthen and guide us. God is waiting and ready to direct our lives according to His will, but first we must listen within the silence of our hearts.

Then, through only the grace of God, will our tree will bear good fruit. Without Him, we are nothing.