Being Realistic in the Apostolate
God in his kindness and mercy gives us the satisfaction of doing what we are able and we do not pretend to reach there, where we can never arrive. In the evangelical enterprise we also do not reach what is believed to be impossible. (OOCC, I, p. 17)
St. Vincent is a practical and a humble person. In his perception of the apostolate, he is both practical and humble. The practical nature of his personality is manifested in the fact that he is very realistic about the apostolate he has undertaken. He is humble because he allows no presumptions about the apostolic tasks he plans and executes. Though St. Vincent always desires to do great things for God, always wanting to do more for God and giving himself to God more perfectly, he is never presumptuous. He always maintains happiness and satisfaction within himself when doing what he is able to do. He never pretends to reach where he can never arrive. He expresses in clear terms that in his apostolic endeavors, he does not reach a goal that is impossible to reach. He says that his ability, strength, and resources limit his apostolate. In this manner, we find a good sense of balance in St. Vincent’s perception of the apostolate. Though he wishes to do many things for God and his people, he knows the limits his situation places on him,and the limitation of time and resources. In order to achieve success, happiness, and satisfaction in and through our apostolic planning, we must be like St. Vincent, holding a balanced and realistic perspective of the apostolate. Such a balanced perspective would guarantee the glory of God, the good of the people who benefit from the apostolate, and the good of those engaged in the apostolate.
Am I practical and humble in my perception of the apostolic situation? Am I realistic and balanced in the way I look at a pastoral situation? Am I presumptuous or sceptical? Do the glory of God, the good of the people, and the good of the apostle guide my pastoral choices?
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. (II Tim. 2:15)