Personal Apostolate

The other day, in my reading, I came across this term: your "personal apostolate."

Having worked for a few apostolates, it stopped me in my tracks. I hadn't really thought of my own personal apostolate—what I do to bring Christ to others. At least not in those terms.

Here's what struck me: we're not all called to bring others to Christ in the exact same way. As much as we might like, there's no formula that works everywhere, for everyone, all the time.

Just as our path to heaven and God's will for our lives are expressed through our daily duties, our obligations, our vocations—our personal apostolate is living out the Gospel here and now, where we are planted.

Working for various apostolates has been a blessing, but each of us has our own personal apostolate. And it's not something I can do for you, or you can do for me.

It's up to each of us to use the gifts and talents and graces our Lord has given us to extend His kingdom right where we are.

Your personal apostolate might be the way you raise your children, the integrity you bring to your work, the patience you show your aging parents. It might be how you coach little league, how you treat the checkout clerk, how you show up for your neighbors.

It's not about having a title or working for an organization—though those can be part of it. It's about recognizing that wherever you are, whatever you're doing, you're called to be Christ's presence in that place.

Maybe the question isn't "What should I be doing for God?" but "How is God calling me to serve right here, right now, with what I've been given?"

Because that's your personal apostolate. And the world needs it.