Awareness of a Presence

"We must be faithful to the present moment or we will frustrate the plan of God for our lives." - Blessed Solanus Casey

Recently, the Carmelite Sisters near me gave me a clipping of a newspaper from 1898. I was surprised that it was still in a condition that it was legible. It was not a particularly special news item, but it was from them, and it was preserved for such a long time. I took it to the store near my home and had it framed. It hangs on my wall in a prominent place, and it has become a conversation piece. Also, since I volunteer feeding the poor, I was asked to help someone find volunteer hours. I helped this person get organized and volunteer. These are simple gestures that help us remember that we are not alone in this world. It is important that we help others.

“Love the truth, appear as you are, and without affectation and without fear and without human respect. Even if the truth costs you persecution, accept it; and if it means anguish, endure it. And if for the sake of truth, you should have to sacrifice yourself and your life, then be strong in your sacrifice. (St. Joseph Moscati written as a note to himself.)

St. Giuseppe Moscati was a doctor who lived in Naples. He never married but he was not a religious either. He lived his faith through his work. It was a beautiful thing to witness, I would expect. People often become cynical and negative towards those who try to do something great. They might want to tear down beauty but that is not the Catholic way. We stay strong and firm in our commitment to our faith. Recently, I was fascinated by the Fourteen Holy Helpers. Something said at Mass piqued my curiosity and I did some reading about them. The saints are available to help us and they are ready. Sometimes we do not understand why events unfold in the way they do but we continue to stay in front of reality. We cannot create it.

“Use the gifts you have received and pass the love that has been given to you.” St. Therese of Lisieux

We cannot stop in our desire for more in this life. Yes, we can be thwarted, yes, we can be discouraged and yes, we might want to give up and say enough. But we can never surrender. A friend got a speeding ticket and was going to pay it. I insisted that they fight the ticket and they won. They asked why not simply pay it. I said no, we need to fight. We also need to pick our battles and sometimes we lose but the Lord always wins. These are small examples but they are not banal. Are we looking and paying attention or do we go through our day without an attention? It is a big question and we must answer it. Let us be ever mindful of those around us and in that mindfulness, we need to reflect as to what is being asked of us. Nothing is lost if it comes from our Lord.

“In order to live eternally, we do not need to cheat death, but to serve life, by caring for others in this, our time together,” the pope said. “That is the supreme law that is prior to all society’s rules and gives them their meaning.” Pope Leo XIV