Nunc Coepi–Now I Begin

. . . the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from evil. . . May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.

2 Thessalonians 3: 3, 5 RSV-CE

Like many (all?), I’m shaken by the past week’s events. I’m shaken by the last 10 months’ events. It is so easy to fall into depths of overwhelm, fear, confusion, anxiety. You name the negativity any way that fits–who hasn’t felt the icy grip the devil trying to steal our peace and divide our communities and families?

We’re succumbing to it, far too often.

We as a faithful people and as people of goodwill (because I know there are people who have goodwill but aren’t solid on the faith part), ARE BETTER THAN THIS.

We can–and must–do better than this.

For all of you are children of the light. . . therefore . . . let us stay alert and sober. . . putting on the breastplate of faith and love and the helmet of hope for salvation.

For God did not destine us for wrath, but to gain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. . .

Therefore, encourage one another and build one another up. . .

1 Thessalonians 5: 5, 6, 8, 9, 11 NAB

Now more than ever, the peace we keep in our families and homes will shape our communities. The peace we cultivate in our homes will change our day, week, month, year.

We must fight for and grow peace in our homes. Believe me, I know how much easier said than done this is. If you know me, you know the crosses we’re carrying. And under the weight of them, it’s not the time to share what these specific burdens are. But I see you mothers walking alongside teens trying to find their self-identity in the Lord. I see you wives praying for their husband’s jobs and many other intentions. I see you single women mourning for lost love and wondering when the Lord will show you the man to walk alongside you in marriage. I see you lonely women who miss their friends due to gathering restrictions. I see you all, I know the pains are great and varied.

For such a time as this, friends. For such a time as this. God knew when and where we’d be living. He knew. He’s chosen you and I for this time, these families, this history. And by His graces which know no bounds, He’s equipping us moment by moment, day by day, to RISE UP and BE THE LIGHT the world desperately needs.

If you feel weak in the knees and terrified, I’m there with you. While the nation appears to be a dumpster fire and everyday seems to bring worsening news, the task is daunting.

And yet, for many of us, faithfully living the hidden life in our homes is all that’s asked of us, right now. As wives and mothers, our call is to build up our homes as sanctuaries for our husbands and children. We have a unique and sacred calling to cultivate love, share the Gospel, and work for peace. It starts under our roofs, while praying before meals, breaking up fights, washing dishes, consoling sad hearts, cooking dinner, listening to teens wrestle with how to find their place in the world.

Whatever we do, should start from prayer. All we do ought to be guided by the Spirit and with the end-goal of giving glory to God.

Maybe tomorrow or the next day, strengthened by the peace we’re cultivating in prayer and faithfulness to our present duties, we’ll be called upon to do something greater. Maybe we’ll write to our priests and thank them for continuing to say Mass, or ask our bishop to stand up for religious liberty in the face of lockdown restrictions. Maybe we’ll make a call to our kids’ schools and thank the administration for their tireless work, and/or address something of concern that we’ve been hesitant to bring up. Maybe we’ll write a letter to a politician letting them know their constituents have very real concerns about _______________ topic. I don’t know today what action the Lord will place on my heart next week, and what He asks of you will be yours to discover.

It matters that we bring our broken hearts to the Lord and let Him guide us. It matters that we entrust our families to Him and move forward with His strength. The saints tell us over and over that when we abandon ourselves to Jesus and depend on Him for everything, He will act. He will provide. His grace is abundant. (see 2 Corinthians 9:8 and 2 Corinthians 12: 9)

Every Christian home should be a place of peace and serenity. In spite of the small frustrations of daily life, an atmosphere of profound and sincere affection should reign there together with a deep-rooted calm, which is the result of authentic faith that is put into practice.

Saint Josemaria Escriva, (Christ is Passing By, 22, 4)

Creating this space of peace and authentic faith, where we can be rooted in His love and then be strengthened to bring it to our communities is hard. So hard. I know this; I’m walking (sometimes crawling) the uphill path every day.

We have to show up. Show up in prayer. Show up with courage. Show up with love. Show up and keep those houses places of peace, places to meet the Lord in His Word (listen to the Bible in a Year podcast together! It’s so good.). Be immersed in Truth. Show up and learn together about moral issues, the principles our nation is founded upon, and more. Show up and be people of light.

Saint Paul encouraged his community: “. . . it is the hour now for you to awake from sleep. . . and put on the armor of light” (Romans 13:11&12) and “. . . be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord”. Saint Josemaria Escriva said, “Nunc coepi! — now I begin! This is the cry of a soul in love which, at every moment, whether it has been faithful or lacking in generosity, renews its desire to serve — to love! — God with a wholehearted loyalty” (Furrow, 161).

Nunc coepi. Let us begin, again. From within our homes we can reshape each day, built upon a foundation of love abandoned to the Lord’s will.