The Final Word | Belle Grubert

Living stones are formed and shaped to be used. If rocks can be used by humanity to create gorgeous cathedrals, how much more can we, made in the image and likeness of our Creator, be used by Him for the upbuilding of His Church, if we let Him? This means living a life centered on Jesus, which then drives us to introduce others to Him and what it means to live with Him.

In a pivotal moment of my life, during a summer camp retreat while I was in high school, I recognized the reality of the Catholic faith. Afterward, involvement in my school’s campus ministry took on a new meaning: it was no longer about community service appearing on my resume but instead about introducing fellow students to the Person and reality of Jesus.

Becoming passionate for worship, I hosted worship events at my home parish and high school then served during the summer after graduation with a Catholic missionary apostolate based in Columbus, Ohio. As a college student at Ohio State University, I am involved with worship, songwriting, our Catholic campus ministry (Buckeye Catholic), and inter-denominational ministries around campus.

Now studying abroad, I lead both a Bible study for college women and worship with students from a nearby university. Although I could easily jump into ministry from a desire to serve, I realize that each experience continues molding me into a “living stone” that serves with greater efficacy and becomes ever more familiar with the Architect’s hand, voice, and goal.

I am reminded of a verse from St. Paul: “I have resolved to know nothing except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.”

While this verse can resonate differently with Western Church faithful than with members of the persecuted Church worldwide, the goal does not change. It is a beautiful invitation: as much as the Lord desires to form us through our work and partnership with Him, He also desires us to help build His Kingdom, and this necessitates evangelization.

As an undergraduate, thoughts of the future and what mission will look like then are all too common. When pondering these questions, I am convicted of the duty that all Christians share: to live as missionaries. Though He might call some to move across oceans, the Lord calls others to support their work prayerfully or financially, while also living out the equally holy call of mission through the workforce or other avenues.

The laity’s mission work in their vocation—through schools, family life, businesses, healthcare,  and other activities and responsibilities—is integral for building up the Kingdom. In His kindness, Jesus loves to use our gifts, talents, passions, and our yes to bring others to Him and connect with us—after all, He created us with these relationships in mind!

So, where do we each begin? Evangelization must begin (and ultimately end) in our relationship with God, established through daily prayer (which is not limited to requests, but also includes conversation). He loves to hear from the depths of our hearts and wants to share His heart with us.

Further, the Gospel message—that we are made for God and that Jesus came as both God and man to bridge the gap caused by our shortcomings—invites us to say yes to a relationship with Him and to  our transformation through it, which is essential to the Christian life! It is through transformation that we are better able to enter into our personal relationship with the Lord and journey with others as they cultivate their own relationship with the Lord.

In this effort, we live out the universal call to become saints: not perfect people but people saved by grace. And thus, we become living stones constantly crafted and refined by the Builder, made ever more able to partner with this personal Creator in the construction of His house—His Church.

As living stones, may we rely on the Master Architect to perfect the work He began in us and promises to bring to fulfillment, as we work to see the beauty of heaven come to earth.

Belle Grubert grew up in Cincinnati and is a sophomore at Ohio State University, studying psychology, nutrition, and public policy. She is passionate about worship, mission as a lifestyle, and seeing people live in the freedom and wholeness they were made for. You can find her running, experimenting with recipes in the kitchen, or on a new adventure.