How did you find your cause?

[AllSeasons]

I’m afraid to say that I haven’t been as on fire for our Lord as I have been in the past, and it’s bugging me. I can make all kinds of excuses, like work, being too busy, etc., but at the end of the day, it’s because I’m just not feeling it like I used to.

I was thinking maybe it’s because I need to find a cause, like participating in pro-life activities, or doing stuff for social justice, or somehow doing God’s work. I guess I just need to feel passionate about something. For those of you who have found what that is, how did you find it? Would love to hear your story, if you don’t mind sharing.

Thank you in advance.

 

[triumphguy]

What apostolate really makes you squirm?
Which works of mercy make you want to turn away and hide?
Which ministries do you feel unable to do?

Make a list, 'cos sure as eggs is eggs God will call you to perform one of them.

 

[Veronica97]

Well, since my reversion about 16 months ago, I’ve started praying the Rosary regularly (not as often as I should but usually a few times each week), and I started going to the ladies’ rosary prayer group meetings at my parish. I volunteered to be hostess one month (provided decorations and snacks and read a short inspirational article on the power of the rosary). After the inspirational reading, the ladies decided that they wanted to pray an entire rosary at the meetings instead of just a decade as they had been doing. Well, several months later, I was asked to be president of our group, and I try to continue to model for the ladies how to pray the rosary (how to apply the mysteries to whatever or whomever we’re praying for, for instance) and try to keep emphasizing the importance and power of the Rosary. So it’s just something I felt passionate about and wanted to share with others. I think whatever it is that you feel most passionate about is a clue as to what you should be doing for others, whether it be a spiritual work of mercy or corporal work of mercy or advocating for a certain cause.

 

[teenphilo1]

I saw a need in the community that needed attention and was right up my alley and took it up

 

[TheRealJuliane]

I’m afraid to say that I haven’t been as on fire for our Lord as I have been in the past, and it’s bugging me. I can make all kinds of excuses, like work, being too busy, etc., but at the end of the day, it’s because I’m just not feeling it like I used to.

I was thinking maybe it’s because I need to find a cause, like participating in pro-life activities, or doing stuff for social justice, or somehow doing God’s work. I guess I just need to feel passionate about something. For those of you who have found what that is, how did you find it? Would love to hear your story, if you don’t mind sharing.

Thank you in advance.

My sister had an abortion, many years ago. I tried to talk her out of it, but she went through with it. It was an awful time, and I don’t believe she has ever fully recovered from it. I listened to the annual talk about Roe v. Wade for 15 years since I came back to church, feeling guilty for doing nothing personally about abortion. I first tried calling crisis pregnancy clinics to volunteer but doors didn’t open. Then I found 40 Days for Life and the local pro-life coalition. I wouldn’t say it’s my “cause,” just an area where I can try to help. It’s hard work. The first time I went to pray in front of Planned Parenthood, I cried a lot. Sometimes I still do. But I try to do my best to pray and to help women not to go into that place.

 

[jpjd]

When first became devout in my faith, I felt like I wanted to do more in the church than just go to church on Sundays. But the question was, what should I do? After praying every day for several months “How can I serve you, Lord?”, something happened. The DRE told me that they were looking for a teacher for grade 7 & 8 PSR classes, and if I knew of anyone who might be interested to let her know.

I thought about it for a total of one day , and volunteered myself. I felt drawn to it, and that has been my “cause” ever since.

I would suggest that you pray about it every day, and in the meantime, try different activities in your church and see if you are drawn to any particular thing.

 

[GratefulFred]

It has been said that few of us are called to do great things, but all of us are called to do small things with great love.

Start with sincere daily prayer. One prayer I say often is:

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God
Grant me the Wisdom and Strength to do Your Will.
Not my will, but Your Will be done.

It may be God’s Will for you, right now, to simply to do your daily routine with as much love as you can muster. People do depend on us and we need to ensure we are, in fact dependable. That is a love that is often overlooked.

Perhaps finding a cause you can be passionate about may be like dating. You keep trying and eventually you find that one to fits your personality and energy.

But causes are not like a lifelong marriage. You may serve one cause for a few years and move on to others or take breaks in between.

There is always work that needs to be done. Ask your local pastor.

 

[fide]

I’m afraid to say that I haven’t been as on fire for our Lord as I have been in the past, and it’s bugging me. I can make all kinds of excuses, like work, being too busy, etc., but at the end of the day, it’s because I’m just not feeling it like I used to.

I was thinking maybe it’s because I need to find a cause, like participating in pro-life activities, or doing stuff for social justice, or somehow doing God’s work. I guess I just need to feel passionate about something. For those of you who have found what that is, how did you find it? Would love to hear your story, if you don’t mind sharing.

Thank you in advance.

This might be a help for you: go back to the time when Jesus found you and called you. You may find in your life and activity then, what Jesus was consecrating in you. For example, Peter was fishing: he was called to be a fisher of men. John was repairing the fishing nets of his father: he was called to write his Gospel and thus “repair” or complete the canon of the four Gospels. (Mt, Mk and Lk are similar - the “synoptics” - but John’s Gospel is something else, completing and complementing the other three.) Paul was a persecutor of the “heretic” Christians, thinking he was protecting and serving the Truth of God. He became a protector and defender of the Truth of Christ in His churches.

 

[Bob_Crowley]

I’m afraid to say that I haven’t been as on fire for our Lord as I have been in the past, and it’s bugging me. I can make all kinds of excuses, like work, being too busy, etc., but at the end of the day, it’s because I’m just not feeling it like I used to.

I was thinking maybe it’s because I need to find a cause, like participating in pro-life activities, or doing stuff for social justice, or somehow doing God’s work. I guess I just need to feel passionate about something. For those of you who have found what that is, how did you find it? Would love to hear your story, if you don’t mind sharing.

Thank you in advance.

I think sometimes you have to try a few things first, before God puts you where He wants you. I’m involved in a couple of things, but I still don’t feel like I’ve found my “niche”. I suppose it will come, but God will have to be part of it.

I’ll put it this way. The lepers were healed as they went - not immediately but as they did what Christ told them to do. I think you’re the same - you need to start moving first. So just get involved in one thing, and keep doing it. When God sees you’re moving, and fair dinkum about serving others, then He might show you what He really wants you to do.

And don’t spread yourself too thin. Just do one thing, whatever it is. Otherwise you’ll just be dabbling, and not achieving much.

 

[Boswell]

Four years ago, when I came back to the Catholic Church (a cradle Catholic), I began attending the small Catholic church in the small town where I live. I asked the first person I got to know there how I could get involved in the parish. He told me they needed a 5th grade PRE teacher. I was a 67 year old grandfather with 11 grandchildren and retired from the real estate business. I was looking for something like helping cut grass…anything but work with kids. Time passed and, one Sunday after Mass, Sister Janet (the “plain-clothed” nun who was the Director of Religious Education) grabbed me by the arm and said “I need to see you in my office!” Suddenly, I was 10 years old again and on my to the Principal’s Office!

When we got there, she said, “I need you to teach 5th Grade PRE. The present teacher is leaving next week…here are all the materials you’ll need.” She didn’t ask, she TOLD me, and like a good little boy, I said, “I’ve never done anything like this, but I’ll do my best.”

It’s been 3 years, and I look forward to it every Sunday and miss it during the Summer. Who’d have known?