Manifest Joy in Service

"Do not forget that holiness consists not in extraordinary actions, but in performing your duties towards God, yourself, and others well." —St Maximilian Kolbe

Recently, I read about Franciszek Gajowniczek who was the man saved by St. Maxmilian Kolbe. St. Max offered to take his place since Franciszek was a married man with children. Imagine being rescued in such horrific circumstances. It seems so surreal but after St. Maxmilian died and years later after the war, Franciszek continued to tell everyone about this ordeal. His first wife had died and his sons too. He married again but he was with St. Paul VI when the beatification ceremony took place. St. John Paul II invited this man again to the Vatican when St. Maxmilian was canonized. Recently, someone who does podcasts contacted me about my articles. My first reaction was one of suspicion since I could not think that anyone would really read these articles. It was an honor. When I went to mass at my new parish lately, the parish priest told me he was glad that I come regularly. Nice words from people around me, but I could not imagine the words said about St. Maxmilian Kolbe over the years. He was a great man.

If we wish to serve God and love our neighbor well, we must manifest our joy in the service we render to Him and them. Let us open wide our hearts. It is joy which invites us. Press forward and fear nothing. Saint Katharine Drexel

Recently, it was the feast of St. Pius X. We have been honored by many great popes. He was one of them. His push for frequent reception of Holy Communion, his determination by encouraging reading of scripture, supporting the missions and many other great works are so amazing. He followed what was expected of him as pope. This is our task for all of us – to do what is willed for us and do it well. I watched the live stream of Pope Leo XIV visiting San Marino and Rimini these few days. Pope Leo attended the Rimini Meeting which is held every year by Communion and Liberation. He brought his message to the people there and around the world. It is evident the joy he has in his heart for the people and the message he brings to everyone. Another example I read about was Blessed Ladislaus Findysz. He supported Greek Catholics during and after the war in Poland. He was viewed suspiciously by the communists for his great work. It seems anyone who does great things is under threat. He was arrested and eventually released since he was suffering from cancer, and his general health was already broken. He died in 1964 and was beautified by Pope Benedict XVI.

“However severe God’s guidance may seem at times, it’s always the guidance of a father who is good, wise and kind.” St. Walter Pontoise

We might not understand our path all the time. The road is full of potholes, it seems, but we need to move forward. There is no other choice if we want real joy. We cannot look for happiness. I find that word a bit abstract since happiness seems so temporary. Maybe we are looking for contentment or fulfillment but these words, too, are ones that we might struggle with. I look at these examples above and I think about them often. We have been given so many examples, yet we still seem in disarray. There is no time to give in to disappointment or disillusionment. It is all a waste of time. We work, we live, we do what is expected of us, but are we living for Him? Recently, the reading at mass was our Lord asking Peter who he said Jesus was. It was Peter who spoke up and declared, “You are the Christ.” Who is Christ for each one of us? The Apostles struggled, but they fought the fight to the end without disappearing. Let us keep moving forward.

“Earthly riches are like the reed. Its roots are sunk in the swamp and its exterior, is fair to behold but inside, it is hollow. If a man leans on such a reed, it will snap off and pierce his soul.” St. Anthony of Padua