If we look around, almost everyone in the world has a phone in their hands, watches television, and listens to music or the radio. As the culture of communication permeates life, more so is there a need for an apostolate where we can reach people in and through the media. I firmly believe that I am called to do this apostolate — to evangelize in and through the media and communication as a Daughter of St. Paul.
How do I keep grounded in the midst of the constant signaling of the social network? Aside from my prayer life and the charism of the order, one of our main religious practices is to make an hour of adoration every day. Our founder, Blessed James Alberione, termed this period of adoration as “the visit.” It is a period of really taking time to visit with the Lord. It is in this personal encounter with the Lord in adoration, prayer and in the Eucharist, that I find myself strengthened to carry out the apostolate.
What do I actually do during my visit? I sit quietly, read from a spiritual book or open the Gospel or another Scripture, and bring the actual situations that I face in my daily life before the Lord. I love reading the Letters of St. Paul. There is always something new to discover and challenges to grow through that can be found in his writings. For example, 1Corinthians 13, his “Hymn to Love” is full of insight on how to be love, be patient and be kind to those sisters and people I work with and encounter once I really integrate it in my life.
“Love is patient, is kind; is not jealous or envious” … it is more. I realize what pushes my buttons. I might get upset with a situation, a person, or something that is not going my way. In taking it to prayer during my visit, I may ask God, “Why is this happening? Why is this not going right? Shouldn’t these people understand that this should be done this way?” When I stop and present my concerns to the Lord, sitting there and pondering the Scriptures, I open myself allowing God to work in me.
I remember once coming to a realization, “Oh boy, you can be envious, you can be jealous.” So, the very buttons that were pushing me, I had to be honest to admit before the Lord in that time before the Blessed Sacrament. How kind, loving and merciful the Lord always is! It is like I could hear him say, “Well, Sister Timothy, now it is your turn to not be envious, jealous or unkind to these individuals even though they may not have been loving to you.”
I understand that we are all busy. We may be looking for an ideal time to pray without bother or pressure. However, even in church someone’s cellphone might go off or another noise distract us. The perfect time does not exist. However, in making time to visit with the Lord, we learn to incorporate the moments of our living right now into our prayer. Thus, we are opened to more fully receive the graces of the present moment.
Sister Margaret Timothy Sato is a Daughter of St. Paul, professed for 33 years. She is from St. Anthony Parish, Kalihi. In her ministry in Boston, she works in production behind the scenes in the audio and video studios. She is also a member of the Daughters of St. Paul recording choir.
