Elizabeth was a 12th-century Spanish princess who was given in marriage to the king of Portugal. She was very beautiful and very lovable. She was also very devout, and went to Mass every day. Her faith, no doubt enabled her to patiently endure her husband’s cruelty and infidelity. She even contributed to the education of his illegitimate children.
Throughout her marriage she also engaged in charitable works: building a hospital and orphanage and a monastery for the Poor Clares. She entered the Poor Clares as a Third Order Franciscan after the death of her husband. She died at the age of 65, after a life pursuing holiness as the most important goal.
July 5 is also the feast of Saint Anthony Zaccaria, who lived about 300 years after Elizabeth. Anthony was a pious young man who supported his widowed mother as a medical doctor. While working among the poor he became attracted to the religious vocation and was ordained a priest. During the Protestant Reformation, he worked to “regenerate and revive the love of divine worship and a properly Christian way of life” through simple-solid preaching and faithful ministering of the sacraments
By the age of 36, when he died, he founded three religious communities, one for men, one for women, and an association for married couples. Their aim was to simply and devoutly amidst the austerity and decadence of their day.
Two saints from two very different walks of life, who, like Matthew in the Gospel today, heard Jesus calling them from one walk of life, to follow him in something radical and holy. The saint seeks to live not according to the precepts of the world, but to the charity found in the sacred heart of Jesus Christ. The saints put themselves at the service of others “preaching the saving Word” of Christ, “reconciling those in conflict” as peacemakers.
Pope Benedict, preaching on the feast of All Saints, said, “Holiness demands a constant effort, but it is possible for everyone because, rather than a human effort, it is first and foremost a gift of God.”
May we be about the constant effort of allowing God’s gift to grow in us, and allowing the life of Jesus to be lived in us, recognizing that each one of us are called to be saints responding generously to the divine call for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
- - - - - - -
That all Christians may be deeply committed to the spread of Christ’s Gospel, and respond generously to the Lord’s call to holiness amidst the distractions of the world.
For our nation, as we celebrate our independence this week, that we may be always grateful for our freedom, but more importantly, may we use that freedom for God’s will, rather than our own.
That our young people on summer vacation, for their protection from physical and spiritual harm, that faith may be practiced in their homes, that their parents may raise them rightly in the faith, teaching them to value the things of heaven over the things of earth.
For all those who suffer from violence, war, famine, extreme poverty, addiction, discouragement, loneliness, and those who are alienated from their families.
For all those who suffer illness, and those in hospitals, nursing homes and hospice care, that they may be comforted by the healing light of Christ.
For the repose of the souls of our beloved dead, the deceased members of our families friends and parishes, for those who fought and died for our freedom, and for N. for whom this mass is offered.
Graciously grant our petitions, we beseech thee, O Lord; may your grace sustain us always in your service, through Christ Our Lord.
No comments:
Post a Comment