Oct 24 – Memorial for St. Anthony Mary Claret, Bishop
St. Anthony Mary Claret (1807–1870) was a weaver and a seminary student with Blessed Francis Coll. He was ordained on 13 June 1835, and became a missionary in Catalonia and the Canary Islands. He directed retreats and founded the Congregation of Missionary Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (Claretians). He became Archbishop of Santiago de Cuba on 20 May 1850, and founded the Teaching Sisters of Mary Immaculate.
Following his work in the Caribbean, Blessed Pope Pius IX ordered him back to Spain, where he became confessor to Queen Isabella II and was exiled with her. He had the gift of prophecy and miracles, and was reported to have preached 10,000 sermons and published 200 works. He spread devotion to the Blessed Sacrament and the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
- Patron Saint Index
Eph 4:7-16
Lk 13:1-9
“Sir,” the man replied, “leave it one more year and give me time to dig round it and manure it: it may bear fruit next year; if not, then you can cut it down.”
Time is something that money cannot buy. As Warren Buffett says, “Father Time always wins”. We also do not know how much time we have left on Earth. Some have their ends come slowly, while others have an abrupt end to life.
Most of us have days that feel painfully long. There are early mornings and late nights. Endless ‘to-do’ lists and many relationships to sustain. Yet, the months and the years just fly by. It has always puzzled me as to how we are so organised in the workplace with setting goals and targets for the year, but yet so disorganised in our personal lives.
God helps us by giving us opportunities and inspiration to accomplish things. But if we do not act soon enough, the window of opportunity will eventually close. There are things in life that I simply cannot accomplish now because of my age.
We must also learn to make peace with where we are in life and let go of past identities or dreams. If we are consumed by the ‘what-if’s and focus only on our regrets, we will not be able to look ahead at what can still be done.
One thought that gives me peace is that more likely than not, I am more than halfway through my life’s journey. Whatever mistakes I make along the way will not have as long lasting an effect. I can also be more targeted in what I want to achieve, simply by virtue of having less options.
Whatever your age, I hope that reading this motivates you to assess if you’re on the right path, and to decide for yourself if you’re spending your time the way God intended you to.
(Today’s OXYGEN by Gregory Mathew)
Prayer: We ask you Lord, to fill our days with meaningful activities that help others and make us the best versions of ourselves.
Thanksgiving: We thank you Lord, for the gift of our human lives. May we always see it as a blessing, and not a burden that we have to endure.
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