Grateful

As I knelt for morning prayer with my Spiritus team members in the chapel, I could sum up my feelings in one word: grateful. For each of my team members, for the sunshine spilling in through the stain glass windows, and for Jesus’ presence with us. Each day here has brought so many blessings and unlooked for gifts.

It is so true that when you give, more comes back to you. Serving as a member of the Spiritus team has brought new meaning to Mark 6:8-9 for me. “He charged them to take nothing for their journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in their belts— but to wear sandals and not put on two tunics.^”

As a disciple in 2011 getting a staff through airport security might be a stretch. And ok, I might have been wearing about ten layers of clothing when I flew to Wisconsin because I couldn’t fit it all in my suitcase, so I stretched the “two tunics” part.

But I am blessed with the opportunity during this time in my life to live out the call to spread the gospel. Living as a Spiritus member, I have the perfect chance to experience the generosity of others. The warm bed I sleep in, the food I eat, and the homey facilities I live in are all gifts. From farm-fresh eggs to Brewers’ tickets, each day I am delighted by how generous the people around me are because I said “yes” to God’s call to serve the Catholic youth of Wisconsin.

So I wanted to say an extra-special thank you to everyone who makes Spiritus possible, to my team members who also set aside their plans to evangelize for nine months together, and to God for calling me here. I am so excited to keep giving and trusting in God to provide for the journey.

Alex