"I have found that I have never felt more restrained than when I follow the ways of the world. Growing in my faith as a Catholic has helped me discover true freedom."
I am very excited to introduce you to Meghan. Meghan is a junior psychology major at Penn State. Her heart for others is huge, a glimpse of it shown by her warm smile and hours dedicated to THON(a charity raising money to cure pediatric cancer). When I asked her when she why she chose to pursue Catholicism in college, she responded with this:
“I was raised Catholic, and my parents really focused on instilling in me the values and morals that I should live out in my life as a Christian. My siblings and I attended Catholic school for both elementary and high school. While I went to Sunday mass every week, regularly practiced the sacraments, and was devoted to my faith, it was not until college that I really gained an appreciation for the Catholic Church. Through joining the Newman Club at Penn State, I met so many devout young Catholics who have really inspired and shaped me into the person I am today. My boyfriend, who is also in the Newman Club, has also been an incredible inspiration for me as well through the way he lives out his faith and constantly encourages me in my own faith. Through these people, I have learned more in three years about the beauty of Catholicism than I did in my whole Catholic education growing up.”
"Through these people, I have learned more in three years about the beauty of Catholicism than I did in my whole Catholic education growing up.”
How beautiful is that! Praise God that even at a secular college, God still reigns. Similar to Meghan, I have been blessed immensely by people who are also running toward God. The people we surround ourselves with are crucial in living out Catholicism. Maybe right now you do not have a community. However, I am confident in the power of praying for a community. God wants us to be together. He even sent His disciples out in twos! If you are pursuing God, you will find people who have the same goals. Though choosing to be Catholic is easier said than done. How does Meghan live out the Call to Holiness?
“I am living out the call to holiness in my own life by living out my faith and recognizing the way God is present in every moment in everyday life. I am constantly praying throughout the day, reading inspirational Catholic books, being involved in small groups within Newman that continue to shape my knowledge of the Church and my faith, and continually discerning God’s will in my life. I have been praying the Prayer of Abandonment every day in order to focus on completely surrendering to the Lord and the ways He desires to use my life to more fully glorify Him.”
"I am living out the call to holiness in my own life by living out my faith and recognizing the way God is present in every moment in everyday life. "
The practical tips that she brings are so simple. Reading, saying prayers throughout the day, being involved in community life. We all can pray and grow in your relationship with God through simple things. Can you thank God when you see something beautiful or when something good happens? Or even say a "Hail Mary" when you are washing your hands? Or simply talk to God as you would a friend during the day? Praying constantly in little ways can be a way to a greater relationship with God.
I asked Meghan if she feels the same way as the Mother of God when Mary says: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior” in Luke 1:46-47. Her response is filled with beautiful insight into how you can view the gift of your life.
“To me, this verse outlines what I aspire to live out in my own life. Obviously, I am far from perfect, but through the resurrection of Jesus, I know that He is continually giving me the graces to grow more fully in communion with Him as long as I choose to do that. I desire to truly proclaim the greatness of the Lord, not out of pride but out of love and selflessness in giving my life to God. There are times in my life, like any of us, that I fall short and am not being a good witness to the faith, and it is in these times that I realize I am trying to control my life rather than surrender to God. However, I really feel the spirit of God rejoicing in me whenever I turn from this attitude that I can go through life on my own and towards this attitude of offering my life to Him. I feel an immense sense of freedom whenever I do this.'
"I really feel the spirit of God rejoicing in me whenever I turn from this attitude that I can go through life on my own and towards this attitude of offering my life to Him. I feel an immense sense of freedom whenever I do this."
Are you looking for true freedom? You do not see many young Catholics being free through what seems like rules. Meghan expanded on the idea below and it is some of the most insightful and convicting thoughts.
"I feel that the young people in the Church today feel that having faith in God, especially through practicing Catholicism, is more of a hindrance that takes away their freedoms. They often see Catholicism as a set of rules. Catholicism is so much more than what people view it as. I have found that I have never felt more restrained than when I follow the ways of the world. Growing in my faith as a Catholic has helped me discover true freedom.
" I have found that I have never felt more restrained than when I follow the ways of the world. Growing in my faith as a Catholic has helped me discover true freedom."
For example, in modern relationships, people see abstinence as taking away a human right; they fail to see the beauty of glorifying God through waiting until marriage to engage in the sacred act. In my own relationship, my boyfriend and I, both practicing Catholics, are waiting until marriage, and we have talked about how amazing it is that we have our faith and have chosen to wait. Not having that as a part of our relationship has helped us to continually grow in virtue and to truly appreciate each other as children of God.”
Boom. Reflecting on my own life through the words of Meghan has given me this desire to strive for peace and true conviction.
Reflecting on your life through the lens of Meghan's, what are ways they are similar? In what are ways they are different?
Are you finding peace where you are right now? If not, how can you let Jesus give it to you?
Do your relationships reflect the peace of Christ?
How are you saying "yes" to God?
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