October 24 2017 - St. Anthony Mary Claret - Gird up your loins

Readiness is a constant theme in the preaching of Jesus. The disciples of Jesus are to be ready for action, ready for service, ready for the master’s return, ready to preach the Gospel, and ready in season and out of season, Paul writes to Timothy.

"Gird your loins and light your lamps” the Lord says today. To gird one’s loins was to fasten your robe at your belt so that you had freedom of action to move about with greater agility. The one whose “sleeves are rolled up” is ready to work, the one whose loins are girded is also ready for battle.

In First Peter we read that we are to "Gird up the loins of your mind..."; our minds are to be prepared for action; we are to be ready to explain our faith when we are asked to do so; “always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have,” Peter writes.

Readiness certainly assumes a level of preparedness. In order to share our faith we must know our faith and have studied our faith. We show ourselves to be ready for the Master’s return by confessing our sins. We are to keep our minds and hearts awake for Him through daily prayer and meditation.

We honor today St. Anthony Mary Claret who certainly had his loins girded for action. He was a missionary bishop, originally from Spain, and founder of the Missionary Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, known also as the Claretians, after him, their founder.

Upon becoming bishop in Cuba, he began a systematic reconstruction of his Diocese by personally conducting retreats for the clergy, preaching missions for the faithful, devising a system for religious education, establishing cooperative farms, parish credit unions, and institutions for disenfranchised youth.

Since he defended the rights of the working folk, the wealthy landowners launched bitter attacks upon the Holy Bishop, even banishing him from the country. But since his soul was prepared, he bore all in union with the Cross of Christ.

Each of us know doubt has some girding to do, some rolling up of the sleeves, some preparations to make for the work God has for us, for opening our hearts more and more to the life of charity and grace. With the help of the Saints, especially the Immaculate Heart of Mary, to whom St. Anthony Mary Claret was particularly devoted, may we ready ourselves generously and faithfully for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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That all Church leaders may help us to spread the flame of faith and love in all our endeavors.
That we might not be daunted by difficulty in working for the spread of the Gospel.

For an increase in vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life, and a sanctification of all marriages and single Catholics.

For Pope Francis’ prayer intention for the month of October: That all workers may receive respect and protection of their rights, and that the unemployed may receive the opportunity to contribute to the common good.

For all those struggling with addiction, mental illness, chronic sickness, unemployment, or ongoing trials of any kind: that they will be fortified and blessed with God’s special love, favor, and peace.  We pray to the Lord.

For the deceased members of our families, friends, and parish, and all the poor souls in purgatory, for deceased clergy and religious, and for those who have fought and died for our freedom.

O God, you know that our life in this present age is subject to suffering and need, hear the prayers of those who cry to you and receive the prayers of those who believe in you. Through Christ our Lord.