Today’s reading touches on the Legion’s apostolate in terms of crowd contact and reaching out to the migrant domestic workers. Already in the first few sentences, we are reminded of our call as Legionaries in our apostolate, to bring the full riches of the our faith to every person. The fullness of truth which can only be found in Our Lord, the very way, the truth and the life. The reading emphasises that this treasure is for all, not just a certain select few; God’s love is all-encompassing to the whole of humanity.
The reading mentions that this hinges on the ‘individual and persevering’ touch of a warm soul to another, emphasis on warm, and touch. The mission of the Legion is not simply to bring the truths of the Faith to the world as a crowd, but to touch each soul as an individual—a task that calls for warmth, humility, and perseverance. If our soul is just lukewarm and not burning in love for God, we can never ever ignite the flame of our contact. On the other hand, if we believe that our soul is very much on fire for God, and burns in love for Him, but we keep all of this love to ourself, it becomes illogical, for the natural consequence of getting to know God’s love is to share it with others, and to spread the good news; just as the Lord has commissioned us to do.
What are we hence to do, to fuel this fire in our soul? It is through constant and unceasing prayer, frequenting the sacraments, and developing our interior life. When we continue to grow deeper in our interior life and in our relationship with God, our very apostolate to others becomes natural, it becomes sweet and light. As Catholics and especially as legionaries, we have come to have a foretaste of this very treasure of the love of God, most intimately in the Blessed Sacrament. We have the model of the interior life, our Lady, as our guide and our commander in chief, who for sure will cultivate the flame of love in our hearts.
With this, let us move on to the readings suggestions of crowd contact. Sometimes, it may already be hard enough to make our personal contact with friends, our family. What more of a crowd of strangers on the streets? The fear of rejection, humiliation etc, may cause us to quickly dismiss this thought. It is too daunting! It is easy to feel overwhelmed or to resign ourselves to anonymity when faced with so many souls, especially in a society where we are called to mind our own business. It is tempting to see people as mere groups or NPCs, not as individual souls so highly and infinitely valuable, made in the image of God. We have to remember that each person in that group is a "priceless soul" and Mary wants us to reach out to each of them. Our Blessed Mother longs for her children to know her Son and to find their place within His Church. The Handbook suggests that we approach them and ask if we can say a few words to them as a group, and that this approach is generally well-received. We must realize that Mary will give weight to our words since she is more interested and anxious about the success of the encounter than anyone else.
The example of Mary herself gives us the perfect model for this mission. Though she was the Mother of God, her life on earth was marked by simplicity and humility—sweeping floors, fetching water, and enduring toil. In her hidden life, she teaches us that even the most ordinary actions, done with love, can be a source of grace and an avenue of evangelization.
Let us reflect on this when we think of those we are called to serve, especially those who are marginalized or isolated. For example, the mission to Catholic domestic workers highlighted in the reading presents us with an opportunity to emulate Mary’s example of loving service. These workers, often placed in indifferent or hostile environments, are vulnerable and in need of spiritual care. Our visits, guided by charity and gentleness, can bring them not only comfort but also a renewed connection to the Church and, potentially, an invitation to join the Legion itself. Similarly, when we engage in book-barrows or street apostolate work, our attitude matters immensely. We are not debaters or preachers; we are instruments of Mary, offering her love and concern to every person we meet. A smile, a respectful tone, and a listening ear often speak louder than the most eloquent arguments.
As we go forth, let us place our trust in Mary, Queen of Apostles. She amplifies even our smallest efforts and turns them into fruitful works for the Kingdom. Through her intercession, may we have the courage to approach individuals in the crowd, and the humility to serve those most in need, bringing them closer to her Son. Let us conclude with the reminder that every soul is precious in the eyes of God. Whether it is a stranger in the park or a domestic worker in distress, we are called to be the hands and feet of Mary, reaching out with love, one person at a time.
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