We Cannot Waste Time

“Our business is to gain heaven, everything else is a sheer waste of time!” St. Vincent de Paul

How much time do we waste all day? Probably a lot! Recently, I made a trip that I had wanted to do for a while, but I was unsure about it. My friends supported me and the people who invited me were organized and ready. Once I arrived, I was pleasantly surprised. The first thing I did was visit a Catholic shrine that is quite famous. The crowds were immense and we have nothing like that at home. You see the faith in people’s eyes and there is always a mass to attend in the area. What I realized is to give things a chance. Step out of our comfort zone and try new things. It also helps when friends support you and you trust others and God to take care of you.

“Let my future be as God wants it. I leave it in the hands of Him who cannot operate but for the good of all. And this is enough to make me happy.” Blessed Giovanni Mazzuconi

Felipe de las Casas Ruiz was born in Mexico City on May 1, 1572, and he was a restless soul. His parents sent him to Manila to earn his fortune. He was attracted to the opportunities of the city and lived a life of debauchery. He seemed like the prodigal son. In any case, the emptiness was too much for him and he knocked on the Franciscans’ door. He joined them. On his way back home, he was blown off course and landed on the shores of Japan. Their fear of foreigners led to his death. He took to evangelization in Japan with the few Catholics who were already there. Unfortunately, he caught the eye of the leadership and was marched through the streets and mocked. He was crucified near Nagasaki with the others and as he suffocated, he gasped the name of Jesus. He was not yet a priest. He is remembered in Mexico City. Similarly, Father Giovanni Mazzuconi arrived in Papua New Guinea via Australia in the 1800s. He wanted to do missionary work. When the Holy Father Pope Francis visited there in September 2024, he honoured him for his missionary work. The Holy Father reminded all of us that we need to remember the early Christian Missionaries. Blessed Giovanni Mazzuconi was martyred for the faith at Milne Bay in 1855.

St. Clare of Assisi said: “We become what we love and who we love shapes what we become.” 

What do we want for our lives? It is a difficult question, but we need to find that answer. The saints mentioned above are just two examples, but there are many more. Taking a risk to go on a trip is not much. It pales in comparison to the voyages of the great saints. We need to continue to move forward and hopefully keep paying attention to the possibilities. There are many roads waiting for us and they need to be clear. Look at the faith of the people around us. We need to look at the faith that was given to us. That faith needs to be nurtured. It needs to grow and flourish. We need to be ready. Pope Leo XIV reminded all of us that it is important to bring this missionary spirit with us. “We must be ready to put our hands into the dough of the world! It is not enough to talk….”

"While the world changes, the cross stands firm." St. Bruno