Whether you have acres of land or just a few pots on a balcony, cultivating a garden is the perfect summer hobby. 

Not only is it a peaceful and satisfying experience to grow your own food or flowers, but it can be a powerful catalyst for wellness as well.

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Gardening provides a holistic approach to well-being, combining physical activity, mental health benefits, and nutritional rewards.

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Increased Exercise

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Gardening allows you to incorporate more natural movement into your day and mimics a full body workout. Functional movements such as the movements done when weeding, digging, lifting, or raking, helps you tend to the needs, not just of your garden, but also your body.

By taking your joints through their whole range of motion, you can strengthen and stabilize your muscles, improve mobility and flexibility, alleviate pain, and help prevent injuries.

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Improved Mental Health

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Gardening helps to improve your mental and emotional health for a variety of reasons. For one, it is a form of exercise and exercising does help to lighten mood and lower anxiety. It also encourages deeper breathing and time outdoors both of which help to reduce stress in the body and mind. 

Gardens also require a certain level of routine to care and maintain throughout the growing season. Humans crave routine, as it gives structure to our day. The garden care routine which includes regular watering and weeding creates a soothing rhythm in the midst of an otherwise busy life. 

One study in particular found that gardening, far more so than even reading, helped to significantly lower the stress hormone cortisol. ¹

Additionally, studies have found that gardening helps to improve cognitive function, including memory, attention, and problem-solving skills.²

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Improved Diet

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Beyond the mental and physical benefits, gardening offers the reward of healthy and delicious homegrown produce, adding a rich variety of tastes and essential nutrients to your diet. 

When you cultivate your own fruits, vegetables, and herbs, you gain access to the freshest ingredients possible, often superior in flavor and nutritional value compared to store-bought counterparts. Homegrown produce is typically richer in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants because it is harvested at peak ripeness, ensuring maximum nutrient density. 

Also as they are grown in your garden, you can also guarantee your produce does not contain pesticides or preservatives. 

Tending a garden can transform your physical health, mental well-being, and dietary habits this summer. So, grab your trowel and head outside!

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“Faith is the proof of things not seen”-Heb 11:1

Introduction

Imagine:

• You’ve been fired from your job

• Your home and savings have been confiscated

• People you’ve helped have turned against you

• You’re in jail awaiting trial and probably a death sentence

• You can’t talk to anyone: friends, family, even your guards

• All because you were falsely accused by notorious liars

• And your judge will not listen to your arguments of innocence.

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What would you feel? Betrayal? Rejection? Loneliness? Confusion? Anger? Self-pity? How tempting would it be to think: “Why is this happening to me? God isn’t with me. He doesn’t care about me. If He did, He’d never let this happen.” But He did. Why?

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Principles of Faith

Evil is a mystery, the mysterium iniquitatis. The entirety of the Christian faith is an answer to the question of evil. However, there are a few key principles that can help us on our journey:

1. God the Creator is always working. Always.

2. His work is for our happiness, our good, our holiness (cf. Rm 8:28).

3. Therefore, the Present Moment has been perfectly crafted by Infinite Wisdom and Goodness to turn you into a saint.

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This is easy to see when things are going beautifully: when we fall in love with our future spouse, when we hold our baby for the first time, while we watch a sunset. But what about those other times?

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The Hidden God

“No one has ever seen God,” says John in his Gospel prologue (1:18). He can be known through His works, but His ways are not our ways. Sometimes, God our King comes disguised as a baby, the son of a carpenter, a mendicant preacher, a criminal sentenced to death, a gardener. Sometimes, the medicine He offers us tastes like poison, the banquet he lays out for us looks like an empty table, the fresh air He surrounds us with smells like toxic fumes, the freedom He offers constrains us like an inescapable trap. When our senses and reason are telling us we’re dying, what are we supposed to do?

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Questions Are the Answer

When it comes to the nitty-gritty of our lives, faith does not give us the answers. Faith gives us the light to seek the answers. And we’ve been commanded by our Lord to do so: “Seek and you will find.” It’s on us to seek the good in a “bad” situation. Because God dreams of making us saints, He will do whatever it takes to make us the way He wants. AND, He’s going to call us to participate in His dream for us. Our job is to find the King dressed like a Beggar. To see through the scary masks and hideous disguises to the reality of God’s Work in our lives, His “divine providence.”

We seek when we turn to God in prayer and ask Him real questions:

• Lord, who can do more than I can ask or even imagine; what are you giving me right now?

• Master, what are you teaching me right now?

• Good Shepherd, where are you leading me right now?

• Lord, who are you calling me to be right now? (Hint: Saint “your name here”)

These questions feel crazy. They feel wrong. The temptation is to listen to our own minds say “Nothing. Nowhere. No one.” Don’t buy into that. Go into your inner sanctuary and speak with the Lord Himself. Remember, God’s providence is happening for you, not to you. It’s happening for your holiness though, not for your hedonistic pleasure or so you can stay in your comfort zone.

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Starting Out

There are 3 ways, you can practice the virtue of faith today:

1. If you’re in a pickle right now, ask God these 4 questions and listen for His answer. Begin a conversation with Him, even if it’s a bit like an argument.

2. If things are pretty good right now, think back to one of your worst moments. What did God give you or teach you in that? Where did He lead you? Thanks to that tough time, who or what is in your life now? How are you a better person because of the struggles you’ve been through? Maybe take a minute to write down some of your answers on The Light of Faith Worksheet and think about the good brought out of that bad situation. But don’t do it more than once; you might accidentally develop a habit.

3. This last one is only for the most courageous. Look outside yourself. Who do you know is going through a tough time right now? As a friend, what if you stepped out of your comfort zone and encouraged them to ask God these 4 “crazy” questions?

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PS. The scenario in the introduction really did happen to St. Boethius. As a result of his unjust incarceration, he wrote a masterpiece entitled The Consolations of Philosophy, a staple of Great Books programs throughout the West. If you’ve never read it before, you owe it to yourself to give it a try.

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A friend shared this unique breakfast beverage with me years ago. I hesitated to try it, but when I heard about all it could do for you, I thought, what can I lose? Except maybe a few pounds, which is one of the long list of touted benefits. Hehe! I can’t say I loved it at first, but I am the type of person who doesn’t give up easily. The ingredients are typical items in your pantry, so again, what could I lose? I started drinking it first thing in the morning, and in time, my morning, warm “tonic” began to make me feel refreshed, balanced, and more energetic. Also, I started to love the taste. Now, I can’t imagine going through my day without it. I am excited to share my recipe with you to see if it can help you as much as it has helped me. But first, I would like to share a few of the benefits of the ingredients:

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Apple Cider Vinegar: According to the Cleveland Clinic, apple cider vinegar has been around for thousands of years and was used as a treatment for coughs and infections. Some possible benefits they list as backed by science are lowering blood sugar, calming acid reflux, and aiding in weight loss.

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Cayenne Pepper: Cayenne peppers are a great addition to a healthy diet. Again, Cleveland Clinic was a great resource. They say the health benefits go well beyond their packed vitamin content. They can provide beneficial plant compounds, protect your heart, improve digestion, maintain a healthy weight, and ease pain and clear congestion.

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Tumeric: A recent study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences shows curcumin, an active ingredient in turmeric, effectively kills certain cancer cells. It also has anti-inflammatory properties.

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Sea Salt: Sea salt can aid in hydration and maintaining healthy blood pressure levels. ¹

My experience with this tonic has been amazing, but one or more of these ingredients may not work for you. Please consult with your doctor or healthcare provider before making any changes to your diet.

Recipe:

• 8 oz. warm water

• 1 tsp. to 2 tbsp. Apple Cider Vinegar (With the mother, i.e. Braggs) It is best to start at a smaller amount and work up to 1 to 2 tbsps.  

• Dash cayenne pepper

• Dash turmeric

• Dash sea salt

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Cheers to your health!

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High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) has been in the top 10 fitness trends since 2014, according to a survey by the American College of Sports Medicine. 

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But what exactly is HIIT and why has it remained so popular?

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HIIT involves alternating between short bursts of intense exercise and brief periods of rest or low-intensity recovery. 

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This style of training challenges your body to work at maximum capacity, triggering powerful physiological responses that lead to significant fitness gains including cardiovascular health, improved muscle strength, enhanced endurance levels, and even fat loss.

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Physical Benefits of HIIT 

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Improves Cardiovascular Health

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Research has shown that HIIT can effectively enhance cardiovascular function by increasing heart rate, improving stroke volume, and boosting overall cardiac output. Additionally, HIIT has been found to lower resting heart rate and blood pressure, both of which are key indicators of cardiovascular health. 

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Reduces Blood Sugar Levels

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Over time, HIIT can reduce blood sugar levels and improves insulin resistance making it a particularly beneficial workout for people with diabetes or PCOS.

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Enhances Endurance 

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By pushing the limits of aerobic and anaerobic capacity through short bursts of intense effort, HIIT effectively trains the body to perform at higher levels of endurance. 

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The repeated exposure to high-intensity intervals followed by brief recovery periods not only improves cardiovascular efficiency but also helps your body tolerate higher levels of lactate buildup.

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Improves Metabolism

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Researchers have found that HIIT burns 25–30% more calories than weight training, running, and biking, and it increases your metabolic rate for hours after exercise allowing you to burn  additional calories even after you’ve finished your workout.  ¹ ²

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It has also been shown to reduce body fat and aid in weight loss. 

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However, the biggest benefit of HIIT might be its flexibility. 

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Despite knowing that daily exercise is important for your overall health, many people (an estimated 80% in the United States) don’t get enough daily movement.³  However, HIIT can help you fit a workout into your schedule and life. 

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It’s Efficient

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HIIT workouts are designed to deliver maximum results in minimal time so you can get an powerful workout in as little as 20 minutes. 

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It’s Convenient 

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With HIIT, you can use your body weight as the main form of resistance which means you don’t need additional equipment, nor does HIIT require a large amount of space so you can easily do this type of workout in your home. 

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It’s Versatile 

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You can also easily integrate HIIT into various exercise formats, such as running, dancing, rowing machines, stationary bicycles, or stair climbers, allowing you to tailor this training to best suit your fitness level, goals, and preferences. 

As you can see, HIIT packs a powerful punch in just a fraction of the time compared to traditional workouts which is why you’ll want to incorporate it into your fitness routine. The Pietra Fitness Online Studio offers some HIIT-style workouts to help guide you. 

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Get started today.

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Prayer, fasting, and thanksgiving–these three pillars of the spiritual life are often emphasized in Advent and Lent, but their place in the Christian life extends into the liturgical year; incorporating them regularly into your life will bear fruit in your soul all year long.

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The Church, in her wisdom, offers you set days throughout the year to join with your brothers and sisters in prayer, fasting, and thanksgiving called Ember Days.

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Ember Days are a traditional observance in the Catholic Church that occur four times a year—roughly at the start of each season. They are three days set aside for prayer, fasting, and thanksgiving, and they serve as an opportunity for spiritual renewal and preparation.

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While these days are no longer obligatorily observed, they are highly encouraged, as prayer, fasting, and thanksgiving assist in the growing of the habit of virtue.

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The Ember tides always take place on the Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday following a specific feast. Wednesday and Saturday are days of fasting and partial abstinence (meat permitted at one meal) while Friday is a day of fasting and full abstinence.

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• Winter or Advent Ember Days take place after the Feast of St. Lucy (December 13th). On these days, give thanks for the olives that make holy oils for the Anointing of the Sick.
  
  
• Spring or Lenten Ember Days take place after Ash Wednesday (moveable, February 4th-March 10th). On these days, give thanks for the flowers and bees that make the blessed candles used for Baptisms and upon the altar.
  
  
• Summer or Whit Ember Days fall after the Solemnity of Pentecost (fifty days after Easter). On these days, give thanks for the wheat used to make the hosts.
  
  
• Autumn or Michaelmas Ember Days are after the Feast of Exaltation of the Holy Cross (September 14). On these days, give thanks for the grapes that make wine that will become the Precious Blood of Christ.

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You can remember these feast days with the mnemonic:  “Lenti + Penti + Cruci + Luci.”

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Ember Days provide us with an opportunity to pause, reflect, and renew our spiritual lives in preparation for the changing seasons. By embracing the traditions of prayer, fasting, and thanksgiving associated with Ember Days, we can draw closer to God and experience His grace and blessings in our lives.

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As you observe Ember Days, may you be filled with a deep sense of gratitude for God's providence, and may His grace sustain you as you journey through the seasons of life.

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In our battle for the good life, obstacles will always come up. Fortitude helps us remove those obstacles. Do you face any of these roadblocks in your quest to build better habits?

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The Inner Obstacle - “I don’t feel like…”

Feelings can get in the way as we’re building good habits. Sometimes, these feelings have to do with an unpleasant aspect of our good habits. Other times, they have nothing at all to do with the habit we’re trying to build. We’re just in a bad mood. One way to break out of a funk is to use what the gaming world calls “power-ups.” In her TED talk, Jane McGonigal (link) explains that video game designers have discovered the sweet spot for making games hard enough to keep players interested while making them easy enough to win: a ratio of 3 power-ups for every major enemy the player has to face. In real life, these can take the form of getting up and stretching, taking a walk outside, taking a few deep breaths, listening to music, enjoying a snack, connecting with a friend, having a brief moment of prayer, etc. What are some “power-ups” you’re already doing? What “power-ups” could help you take your good habits to the next level?

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Outer Obstacle #1 – “I don’t have time to…”

A homeschooling mother of 5 had “no time to pray.” Her spiritual director suggested she get a subscription to Magnificat and put the periodical on her kitchen table. Then, whenever she had a free minute, she was supposed to grab the Magnificat and pray with it. This woman with “no time” was soon praying 90+ minutes a day with these “power minutes .” Don’t underestimate the power of a minute. Can you write a blog post in a minute? No. Can you write a headline? Yep. Can you jot down a few ideas? Yes ma’am. Can you get just one idea out of your head and onto a scrap of paper you keep in your pocket? Absolutely. (St. Josemaria Escriva wrote 3 books with this method.) All we have is the present moment. Don’t waste your minutes. Each one is precious. You will never get it back.

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Outer Obstacle #2 – “Look at this mess. I can’t…”

My mom is an exceptional “piler.” She has piles of things all through her house. Growing up in that environment, my comfort level with “untidiness” is incredibly high. And all that clutter can be distracting. And I’d love to fight it. To throw it all away or give it to Catholic Charities. The reality is, I kinda like living in clutter. It makes me feel at home. Now, if that’s not you, by all means, get rid of your clutter. But if you’re like me, maybe you can try to add some “positive clutter” in your life. Want to pray more? Why not keep various devotional books spread throughout your house? Want to exercise more? What about putting an exercise mat where you normally watch TV? Want to snack healthier? Couldn’t you put some nuts in a bowl on the kitchen counter? Habits start with cues. You can build habits easily if you make your mess work for you.

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The Intimate Obstacle – “My family will never go for…”

While sometimes it’s just an excuse to avoid the pain of change, the reactions of our family members can push us away from habits that are important to us. Ideally, you’d recruit them to help by having a Crucial Conversation. It begins with answering the question: What is the over-arching goal that we can all agree on here? Starting with an agreement on a common objective can shift the conversation from adversarial to cooperative. And while we can share our goals and how we plan to get there, we can also take the time to listen to our loved ones’ concerns. Maybe there’s something legitimate there that can cause us to tweak our original plan. Other times, we may need to look outside our family for support - to a peer group or a mentor .

Conclusion

The bad news is building good habits is tough. The good news is you’re tougher. You’re made in the image and likeness of the Almighty, and He has sent His Spirit of fortitude upon you. As an incarnate spirit, you are more than any obstacle you face. Be tenacious. Keep fighting. Whatever it takes. No matter what.

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In a culture that glorifies hustle and productivity, the importance of rest and restoration–even in your fitness journey–cannot be overstated.

Unlike intense exercises, restorative workouts are gentle yet effective exercises that help you recharge and restore your energy. Regularly incorporating these movements into your workout will help strengthen and care for your body.

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‍Understanding Restorative Workouts

Restorative workouts encompass a variety of low-impact exercises that help ease pain, restore joint and muscle movement, and activate the parasympathetic nervous system (aka your “Rest and Digest” system) and are particularly beneficial to do after a tough workout.

Because these exercises focus on gentle, mindful movements, they rejuvenate both your body and your mind.

They also promote a holistic approach to health and wellness as they offer a wide-range of healing benefits:

1. Reduces Stress: Through deep breathing, gentle stretching, and mindful movement, restorative exercises activate the body's relaxation response, reducing cortisol levels and promoting a sense of calmness.
   
   
2. Enhances Flexibility and Mobility: By focusing on stretching and lengthening muscles, restorative workouts improve flexibility and mobility. This is especially beneficial for individuals recovering from injuries or dealing with chronic pain, as gentle movements help release tension and restore range of motion.
   
   
3. Improves Sleep: Sleep plays a crucial role in overall health, and restorative workouts can help promote better sleep patterns. The relaxation techniques incorporated in these exercises make it easier to fall asleep and experience deeper, more restorative sleep.
   
   
4. Prevents Injury and Promotes Healing: Restorative exercises play a crucial role in the recovery process, whether from intense physical activity, injury, or illness. These gentle movements promote circulation, reduce inflammation, and aid in muscle recovery. Restorative workouts help individuals recover more quickly and effectively, reducing the risk of overuse injuries and promoting long-term health.
   
   
5. Promotes Long-Term Wellness: Unlike high-intensity workouts that may lead to burnout or injury, restorative exercises offer a sustainable approach to wellness. These gentle practices can be integrated into daily routines, serving as a consistent source of rejuvenation and self-care.

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‍Incorporating Restorative Exercises into Your Workout

At Pietra Fitness, we're dedicated to promoting holistic health and well-being, which is why we offer a variety of restorative wellness classes in our Online Studio. 

Designed to nourish both body, mind, and soul, our restorative workouts incorporate gentle stretches and Christian meditation. Our trained instructors guide you through proven practices that ease stress, enhance flexibility, and improve your energy levels. 

Whether you're looking to unwind after a busy day, recover from intense physical activity, or simply reconnect with yourself, our restorative workout classes offer the perfect opportunity to recharge and restore balance in your life. 

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Join us in our Online Studio and embark on a journey toward greater health and well-being today.

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Before his Ascension into heaven, Jesus left his disciples with a final command: 

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“All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age” (Mt 28:18-20).

However, this “Great Commission” wasn’t just meant for the disciples with Him on the mountain but for all of us; because, by virtue of our baptism, we too have become disciples of Christ and are sent on the same mission.

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Many Catholics tend to consider the missionary mandate to be a call for the few rather than the obligation of all. We look at people with certain gifts and charisms (or people with large followings on social media) and think that they are just specially qualified by God to bring the Good News to others. I could never do what they do.

But if you look throughout the Bible and even at the Twelve Apostles, you’ll find yourself in good company as God often chose people who seemed “unqualified” for the job.’

The world needs the Good News; and you have it. 

With this gift of faith, you have been given a duty to proclaim it to others–both in word and deed. 

But what does this look like practically speaking?

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Begin where you are

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While it’s true that everyone is called to evangelize, not everyone is called to give up their jobs and go to faraway lands spreading the Gospel. In fact, your actual neighbor might be in just as much (if not more) need to hear about Jesus than someone in another country.

“Stay where you are. Find your own Calcutta,” St. Mother Teresa wrote. “Find the sick, the suffering, and the lonely, right where you are — in your own homes and in your own families, in homes and in your workplaces and in your school.”

Consider where God has called you to in this season of life; who are the souls in need of your love and care? Their physical and spiritual well-being are your concern. 

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Invest in friendships

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For three years of His public ministry, Jesus built up a true friendship with His apostles, and the parables and the preaching that followed flowed from that.

Think about the people in your life and in your community; how can you become an authentic friend to them? Maybe it’s as simple as introducing yourself to a new person at your parish or inviting your neighbors over for dinner. 

True evangelization and conversion rests on the foundation of an Authentic friendship.

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Live a life worthy of imitation

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Living our life as a true witness to our belief in Jesus is necessary in evangelizing others. When we act on our beliefs, when we “walk the walk,” when we make God the center of our life, it shows and it makes a difference in the lives of the people around us.

Pope St. Paul XI in his papal encyclical Evangelii Nuntiandi writes: “Through this wordless witness these Christians stir up irresistible questions in the hearts of those who see how they live: Why are they like this? Why do they live in this way? What or who is it that inspires them? Why are they in our midst? Such a witness is already a silent proclamation of the Good News and a very powerful and effective one.” 

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Tell the Good News

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However, many of us tend to rely only on our “witness” rather than our words to do the talking for us when it comes to the task of evangelization; but small personal acts of faith and devotion alone are not enough. 

Pope Paul XI continues in Evagenlii Nutiandi: “even the finest witness will prove ineffective in the long run if it is not explained, justified — what Peter called always having ‘your answer ready for people who ask you the reason for the hope that you all have’ — and made explicit by a clear and unequivocal proclamation of the Lord Jesus” (No. 22).

Evangelization requires an explicit proclamation of the Gospel message– that Jesus suffered, died, and rose again to restore our relationship with God, broken by our sin, because He loved us so immensely. 

Share your story, talk about how you’ve seen God working in your life, and invite others to join you in growing closer to God. 

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Walk with Them 

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When someone chooses to accept Christ, to become his disciple, they need to be strengthened and have their faith deepened through study and through the reception of the sacraments. 

Invite people (back) to the sacraments, and offer to go along with them. Accompany them to RCIA, begin a Bible study, or a spiritual book club, or pray with them.

If you helped open the door of faith to someone, don’t just leave them on the doorstep all alone. Help bring them in. 

Living out the Great Commission takes courage, especially in a culture that is hostile to the Truth, but you do not need to be afraid. Jesus Himself promises: “I am with you always, until the end of the age.” He will give you the grace and the words you need.

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