During the fourth watch of the night, He came toward them, walking on the sea.? When the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were terrified.? ?It is a ghost,? they said, and they cried out in fear.? At once [Jesus] spoke to them, ?Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.?? Peter said to him in reply, ?Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.? He said, ?Come.?? Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus.? But when he saw how [strong] the wind was he became frightened; and, beginning to sink, he cried out, ?Lord, save me!?? Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught him, and said to him, ?O you of little faith, why did you doubt??? After they got into the boat, the wind died down.? (Matthew 14:25-32)
Many are you are aware of the fact that Catholic evangelization has never been a full time job for me.? Although I’ve always had the desire to work for the Lord on a full time basis, the advice I’ve received? from my spiritual director, from trusted friends and in prayer has been, “don’t quit your day job”.? As the sole provider for my wife and children, I understood and accepted the fact that my primary vocation in life is being a father.? As a result, I made the decision that I would hold on to?my day?job (as a?control account manager in the defense industry) until I was able to earn a living working for the Lord (in some capacity).? I also had to accept the fact that, despite my personal desire, I may always have to hold a secular job and work as an evangelist on my own time.? Although I struggled with this reality, I did accept it.??While my wife and I felt that there is a good chance that it was God’s will for me to work for Him on a full time basis, we weren’t sure.? Therefore, we both agreed that we’d let the Lord decide when I would leave my day job.
That decision was made for me today as I was laid off due to a company downsizing. I suspected that it was coming, but there is no way for a “comfort zone” person such as myself to adequately prepare for this type of event.? I have been calling out to Jesus (as did Peter) and asking Him to command me to?get out of the boat (of course, my plan was to have another boat waiting).? Today, the Lord asked?me to step out and walk to Him.? There is no other?boat waiting for me…only Jesus.??Although I’m afraid, I am listening and doing as He commands.
Over the past 3 years, my work as a Catholic?lay evangelist has grown beyond my wildest expectations.? I?never expected to?become a regular guest on network Catholic radio, host my own radio show or write a book…but all of those things have happened due to?God’s grace.? I have been blessed to meet, pray for and minister to many people over the airwaves, the Internet and in person.
As?I write?this, I can say that (for the moment) I?am a full time Catholic lay evangelist.??Although the future is unknown, I am excited about the prospect of having more time to?do the Lord’s work.? This?should result in?more radio appearances,?increased blogging, additional posting on Facebook and Twitter and the start of my second book.? In the meantime, I will explore ways to generate revenue so that I can support?my?family?and pay for the?costs associated with Following The Truth (website, radio expenses, Internet costs, etc.).? I have some ideas and will begin to explore them now.
At some point, I may do something I’ve never done before and ask for donations to help keep my work at Following The Truth alive.? For now, I simply ask for your prayers, so that I may be able to discern God’s will, provide for my family and continue to help others to grow closer to Christ through His Catholic Church.? God Bless You!
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary
Thank you for all that you do Gary. You will remain in my prayers.
Thank you, Joe…your prayers mean a lot to me!
Gary – thank you for your bravery in taking this big step “off the boat” and toward Jesus. You have positively impacted so many lives already. Good thing you have your first book to read to remind you not to worry! : D
God Bless you Gary. We are in support of you!
Janet
Thank you, Janet. I know that all will be well. I just need to trust!
Gary, our Lord God has truly let you know that He has plans for you!! Let the Holy Spirit guide you!! Have you ever thought of becoming a Deacon? I am praying for you and your family!!
Thank you, Ritaestelle. In the past, I was seriously considering becoming a deacon, but it just wasn’t working out (mainly due to too many family duties). Over the past few years, I’ve gotten the feeling that the Lord wants me to serve him as a lay person. That can always change, but that’s where I’m at right now. Thanks for your prayers!
Gary – You and your family are always in my prayers. Your brother in Christ, Michael.
Memorare to St. Joseph:
Remember, O most chaste Spouse of the Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who implored your help and sought your intercession was left unassisted. Full of confidence in your power, I fly unto you, and beg your protection. Despise not, O foster-father of the Redeemer, my humble supplication, but in your bounty, hear and answer me. Amen.
Gary, this prayer has been my prayer for intercession from St. Joseph. Like many times in my life, I found myself as a father in need of guidance. Like St. Joseph who needed to flee to escape King Herod, many questions and hard questions were probably asked in his lifetime, and he received guidance from an angel and trusted in God. St. Joseph silent in scripture but also called the righteous one, and prayers from a righteous one are always powerful before the Lord.
Let us start with prayers in mind and on our heart through this journey of life … let us be humble before the Lord.
O Jesus! meek and humble of heart, Hear me.
From the desire of being esteemed, Deliver me, Jesus.
R: Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being loved…
From the desire of being extolled …
From the desire of being honored …
From the desire of being praised …
From the desire of being preferred to others…
From the desire of being consulted …
From the desire of being approved …
From the fear of being humiliated …
From the fear of being despised…
From the fear of suffering rebukes …
From the fear of being calumniated …
From the fear of being forgotten …
From the fear of being ridiculed …
From the fear of being wronged …
From the fear of being suspected …
That others may be loved more than I,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
R: Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be esteemed more than I …
That, in the opinion of the world,
others may increase and I may decrease …
That others may be chosen and I set aside …
That others may be praised and I unnoticed …
That others may be preferred to me in everything…
That others may become holier than I, provided that I may become as holy as I should?
Read more: http://www.ewtn.com/devotionals/prayers/humility.htm#ixzz1ihU4cedg
Thank you, Michael. I appreciate your prayers and for the Memorare to St. Joseph. God Bless!