Recognizing the Infinite
“God does not consider the outcome of the good work undertaken but the charity that accompanied it.” St. Vincent de Paul
Recently, the priest at mass was forgetting parts of the mass. It seemed to be a little more serious lately and a few of us at the early morning daily mass went to the pastor to tell him. We were quite worried. Physically he was fine, but parts of the mass were omitted. One day he forgot the gospel and we didn’t know what to do. The next day, the pastor accompanied the usual priest to say mass and keep him on track. I am not a doctor, nor do I quickly judge someone in trouble. We watched with joy as the pastor accompanied someone during mass. Yes, the usual priest is older, and it must be hard to lose your thought processes. It will be difficult for him to give up mass. When I was a child, two brothers were priests at our cathedral parish because one of the brothers had brain cancer and his brother took care of him until he died. I remember that often.
“Our Lady accompanies us also in making this definitive choice, the choice of a vocation, because she accompanied her son on his vocational path, which was so difficult, so painful. She accompanies us always.” Pope Francis.
We are hosting a university student for a few months since he moved to our city. He knows a family member of ours who suffers from many medical conditions. He has been very kind to this family member, and it astounds us because he never met him before, and many people are not so patient. We asked why he would be so kind to someone he never met. The response: One day I could be in that situation, and I hope someone will be attentive to me if I am in that position. To be accompanied is a great thing.
“If you invoke the Blessed Virgin when you are tempted, she will come at once to your help, and Satan will leave you.” St. John Vianney
Recently, it was the feast day of St. Anthony Abbot. He tried to live as a hermit but even though he barricaded the place for solitude, admirers and students forced their way in. His faith was like a perfume, and it could not be resisted. Christ is stronger than any temptation. Another curious saint is Blessed Teresio Olivelli. He had founded an alternative to the fascism of Italy, but he suffered for it. He was routinely tortured by the Nazis, but he shared his meagre rations with other prisoners and accompanying them. He befriended the future Blessed Odoardo Focheri but he was beaten to death for trying to defend a Ukrainian prisoner. Great saints sacrificed so much for Christ. We must be ready to do the same for He accompanies us but are we ready to defend Him in a world that has forgotten God.
“Let us remember that love lives through sacrifice and is nourished by giving. Without sacrifice, there is not love.” St. Maximilian Kolbe