Living Faith

In This Newsletter

1. Living Faith by Griffin Rain

2. Do Not Be Afraid by Bonnie (Missionary Associate)

3. Upcoming Events

4. Volunteers Needed

Living Faith
By Griffin Rain

Then the disciples approached Jesus in private and said, "Why could we not drive it out?" He said to them, "Because of your little faith. Amen, I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." ~ Matthew 17:20

Many times nothing happens because we don't expect anything to happen. We don't ask for big things from God and so he doesn't give big things. We oftentimes actually don't have faith even the size of a mustard seed.

Recently I spent a week with the Little Brothers of the Lamb in Kansas City. It was so refreshing to the spirit to see their witness of poverty and the extraordinary faith that comes from a total abandonment to God's providence.

While visiting the Little Brothers, we went out begging for food. If nobody gave us food then we would not eat. But people were generous. We had a meal with a man who had been separated from his wife for about 10 years and just a few months ago she divorced him. They were both very much practicing Catholics, but due to scandal and their own struggles with faith, they were not as involved as they once were. The man gave us food and we ate a meal with him. While eating with him, he opened up his heart and shared many things that he was struggling with. He very much desired to have faith, but he didn't. We talked with him about returning to confession, and he knew that was what he had to do, but he was not yet ready to leave behind the sinful way of life he was living.

I am reminded of the story of the rich young man who went away sad. What are the ways in which we have made ourselves rich and unopen to God's love which is poured out for us? I like to think that the rich young man came back and followed Jesus later. After all, he found out everything that he needed to do to be happy, and went away sad. Every person wants to be happy.

In a similar vein, I will often go over near the Marquette University dining halls and ask students if they would be willing to share a meal together. They then use their guest pass on me. Many will reject this request, but some will take me up on it. On multiple occasions I ate with Catholic students who were struggling in their faith. When someone humbly approached them in need of something basic, they saw they could help, and then as we talked over lunch they saw a deep faith that inspired them to live out their faith in a more intense way. One of the men actually came and evangelized with me regularly, a couple times per month, last school year after that encounter.

The world needs a witness today that the gospel can be lived out in a radical way. Many people who are practicing the faith do not think that it is possible. They think it is crazy to do the things Jesus or his apostles did. We need more crazy people in the Church then. It is possible, but we must put our faith in God and not ourselves.

In another recent encounter, I got off of the city bus with a cross and was met with three disbelieving homeless people who asked me, “Where is Jesus? Do you see him?” I responded that I must see him in you. They responded well to the answer and were actually very open to the conversation. They said that they were Christians but struggling. I shared with them Chapter 3 of the prophet Hosea that was read that morning for the Office of Readings. It compares the people of Israel to unfaithful adulterers who are prostituting themselves. God pays the price of 15 shekels so they do not have to keep prostituting themselves, and He tells them to wait for Him. We do not need to keep going back to our sins. Jesus is enough and has paid the price for us. We have to remain with him. Do you have the faith to remain even in the difficult times, knowing that God has made a way through? Many have forgotten that Christ has made a way for them. They have gone on living the Christian life by themselves. We cannot do the Christian life alone. We must live it with Him and in community. 

These encounters remind me of the importance of humility in the spiritual life. We do not have everything. If we did, then we would have become rich, so we would have no need of God. We all need God, but often we have begun living in a way where we have closed him out. Poverty and humility open the door for God to come in. Through them we can live a life of total abandonment to the will of God. God knows what you need and will provide it.

Jesus said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life and what you will eat, or about your body and what you will wear. For life is more than food and the body more than clothing. Notice the ravens: they do not sow or reap; they have neither storehouse nor barn, yet God feeds them. How much more important are you than birds! Can any of you by worrying add a moment to your life-span? If even the smallest things are beyond your control, why are you anxious about the rest? Notice how the flowers grow. They do not toil or spin. But I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of them. If God so clothes the grass in the field that grows today and is thrown into the oven tomorrow, will he not much more provide for you, O you of little faith? As for you, do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, and do not worry anymore. All the nations of the world seek for these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, seek his kingdom, and these other things will be given you besides. Do not be afraid any longer, little flock, for your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your belongings and give alms. Provide money bags for yourselves that do not wear out, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven that no thief can reach nor moth destroy. For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be." ~ Luke 12:22-34

Upcoming Events

Missionary Associates Dinner  – Join us for our next Missionary Associates Dinner. This month it will take place on Monday, August 25th. This is for people who volunteer with the Missionaries or are interested in volunteering/supporting our work. We hope that this continues building up the community around the Missionaries, getting to know others and energizing more people to start working for the salvation of souls here in Milwaukee. This occurs at the Street Disciple House located at 2126 W Michigan St, Milwaukee, WI, 53233. The schedule for the event is as follows:

• Evening Prayer 5:30pm - 5:45pm

• Short talk from Griffin with discussion 5:50pm - 6:10pm

• Dinner and socializing 6:15pm onward

If you can't make it this time, plan for the 4th Monday of each month. If you would like to be on our text updates list, please text (414) 235-7307 your name and we will add you.

Lunch in the Park - We will be serving food at King Park (1531 W Vliet St, 53205) on Saturday, August 30th, from 11:00am to 1:00pm. Volunteers are needed on two teams - Kitchen Team and Evangelist Team. Please contact us if you can make it. We begin at the Street Disciple House at 11am.

Men's Open House Discipleship Night - Join us for the Men's Open House Discipleship Night on Friday nights at the Street Disciple House. This takes place every Friday unless announced otherwise. See schedule & speakers for upcoming events here. It is an open house, so come when you can. The plan for the nights is as follows:

• Prepare dinner from 5pm until ready; then eat

• Evening Prayer 6:30pm

• Formation Talk with guest speaker 7pm

• Game night/social 8:15 - 10pm

• We will conclude with Night Prayer at 10pm

Please invite those who you think would benefit from this night of discipleship! Also if you would like to help with organizing the night, communication, cooking, finding speakers, etc., please let us know!

Discernment Group - We are beginning a discernment group that will meet every other week on Saturday evening. Please contact Griffin at 414-235-7307 if you would like to be a part of this group. We will be reading from the book A Living Sacrifice: Guidance for Men Discerning Religious Life. We have copies available for those joining the group.

Join our new Street Evangelist Group Chat

This group is primarily for posting events or days and times for evangelization. If you have days that you would like to go out and evangelize, please post in the chat and hopefully someone else would be available to accompany you for evangelization.

Click Here to Join GroupMe

Needed Items
(Follow the links below to donate)

• Street Disciple House Items

  • Dehumidifier

  • Bunk beds

  • Hand soap

• Street Evangelization/Preaching Items

  • Amazon List (pamphlet racks, camera battery, note-taker Bible)

• Financial Donations for Missionary Formation & Operation of Street Disciple House

• 2×4 or 2×6 (8ft) wood pieces for the weekly Way of the Cross

About the Missionaries of the Real Presence

The Missionaries of the Real Presence aims to assist in the apostolic renewal of the Church by intentionally discipling men living in community and encouraging missionary vocations in the Church. We participate in Christ’s evangelizing work for the salvation of souls, especially seeking out those who have been spiritually neglected. We introduce people to Jesus through intentional conversation, preaching, teaching, and prayer. We engage in direct evangelization in the public forum on the city streets, on public transit, and in homes, and share the good news of Christ with those we meet. All of this flows from a life of prayer and union with Jesus as our source.

Support the Mission, Join the Mission

If you appreciate the work we are doing, consider supporting our mission financially here.

Volunteer with us with our street ministry and house visits here.

If reading about some of our stories inspires you, come and see what life as a missionary is like and visit us for a day or longer for prayer and ministry as you discern here.

If you want to learn how we evangelize, consider watching videos on our YouTube Channel, Missionaries of the Real Presence.

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