The Fire Rages

"The fire rages, but the Lord is with us in tribulation." St. Bernard

Recently I needed to attend a memorial for the father of a friend. It was very simple, but mass spoke volumes. I work with international students, and they come from very diverse backgrounds. My rosary fell out of my pocket and one of them asked me what that was. I simply told them. They wanted to hear all about it. We do not need to preach on a street corner shouting who we are. We need to stay in front of reality and just be true to who we are and what we have met.

“The Work is God’s; I am His worker; God began it. For God, I shall continue it. God wanted this Work done and He obliged me to do it. God will provide.” St. Alfonso Maria Fusco

Three saints struck me this week. St. Agatha’s feast day is always interesting for me. She suffered so much, and legend says her breasts were cut off but St. Peter restored them. She did not want to be married to anyone but Christ. Such devotion! St. Paul Miki and his companions were crucified in a horrible way. I lent the book, A Song for Nagasaki” to someone and they were so impressed by it. Through the centuries, many people sacrificed for Christ. I often think what I must do for Christ and if it is ever enough. The Vatican website recounts the life of St. Alfonso Maria Fusco as being one of suffering and devotion. The unjustified attempt by the Diocesan Bishop on Father Alfonso as director of the Institute he founded were based on false accusations; the refusal by his own religious daughters to open the door for him of the house in Rome because of their desire for a division; the words of Cardinal Respighi, the Vicar of Rome: "You have founded this community of good sisters who are doing their best. Now withdraw!" were for him moments of great suffering. He was seen praying in anguish. But he did not surrender to anyone but God. We need to be reminded of this all the time for ourselves. We need to faithful to what we have met.

Jesus Christ, Lord of all things! You see my heart; you know my desires. Possess all that I am - you alone. I am your sheep; make me worthy to overcome the devil. St. Agatha

We have many obstacles in front of and many pitfalls on the road. But it is not impossible. We need to stay faithful to the road that is given to us. It is easy to stray from the journey but through prayer, sacrifice does not become easy, but it does become clear. I need to be accompanied on this journey and hopefully, I can accompany others. I need to be clear that obstacles can be difficult but still can be overcome. This is how we witness to others.

St. Catherine of Siena: "Nothing great is ever achieved without much enduring."