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You’ve heard these “travel hints” found in today’s Gospel for the discipleship road before: Enter by the narrow gate; be prepared for the Master’s coming; be open and flexible. Why? Because the Kingdom of God will include unexpected challenges.
Sometimes it’s difficult to surrender our efforts because we judge ourselves through the lens of our own expectations or perceived outcomes. When we don’t surrender, it’s easy for our identities to become attached to our own perceived ideals of how we think our lives should unfold.
Wanting to be a simple monk in the quiet of a monastery, Bernard of Clairvaux was called instead to be a very active member of the Church in his day.
Our prayers and religious practices must be consistent with the beliefs that we say we hold. They must not be merely external observances. But at the same time belief without appropriate practice is meaningless.
Following Jesus, I will transcend my judgments and the mores of society to see the holiness in each person. I will view each person–even those whom I tend to marginalize–as God’s beloved children, worthy of my respect even when I must challenge their politics or behaviors.
Saint John Eudes was a noted preacher and confessor. He founded several seminaries because he saw the need for clerical formation. He also founded a couple of religious communities to address other needs that he saw. Saint John had a great devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
God is not a faceless, impersonal force but a loving father. Our neighbor is not just one more creature but a precious person. We ourselves are not just servants but God’s beloved children.
I see heaven as one infinitely loving gathering of God’s people…one that will never end.
Spanish De La Salle Brother Jaime Barbal was forced to give up teaching Latin because of his hearing deterioration. When he was arrested during the Spanish Civil War his attorneys encouraged him not to mention being a religious brother. But Jaime refused and was executed by a firing squad.
Born into royalty and headed for the throne of his father, Saint Louis of Toulouse renounced his status, became a Franciscan, and was named a bishop. It was during the years that he was held hostage and under the tutelage of the Friars, that Saint Louis began to realize his call to something other than the throne.
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