George Matulaitis Journal

January 17 We need to gather together people of good will, those who love God and the Church, and organize them to combat the spirit of immorality and godlessness. We must preach Christ not only to them, but also through and with them. We must make an effort to form groups and societies of good, devout people—gather small groups of pious people, cen- ters of intense Catholic life. However, our work should not end there. We must never stop being concerned with those who are steeped in sin, those who have lost their faith or, never having known it, are wandering about in darkness, far away from Christ and His Church. We must must never forget them, but try to do everything possible to bring them into Christ’s fold. Naturally, it is much more pleasant to work among and for the devout and much more difficult to reach those who are prejudiced against the Church, who hate it, and even rise up in hostility against it. We need to bring the teaching of Christ to these people and to try to save their souls. The good laborer in Christ’s vineyard cannot afford to leave a large portion of his field unattended to. He must be willing to sprinkle it with his sweat and even with his blood, if need be, so that the Kingdom of Christ would grow and prosper. Let us be like that good and compassionate father in the Gospel who stands in the doorway waiting for the return of his prodigal son. He catches sight of him while he is still a long way off and runs out to meet him, embraces and kisses him, brings him home, dresses him in the finest garments and spreads out a feast for him (cf., Lk 15: 20 ff.). Even more fervently let us imitate the Good Shepherd of the Gospel (cf., Lk 15:3-7) who quietly leaves his ninety-nine sheep grazing and goes out into the forests, the valleys, and hills in search of the one lost sheep. Having found it, he carries it on his shoulders back to the other good sheep. May our zeal always be directed to those who do not know Christ or who do not know Him sufficiently. Like good soldiers of Christ we must be prepared to go wherever He is attacked so that we may join in battle and give our lives for Him. 63