The Memorial of St Josaphat

Wis. 13:1-9, Lk. 17:26-37. It is possible for created things to distract us from God because the natural things in this world are so good, they can claim our total attention and stifle any desire to think about life beyond this world. Today's first reading asserts that from the greatness and the beauty of created things, we should acknowledge God as the creator and author. People are distracted by what they see, because the things seen are so beautiful. Certain habitual forms of prayer and worship can sometimes hold us back from God. Sometimes the rubrics of worship become more important than the One to whom we pray. Parents can be so concerned about what the neighbours might think, that fear of shame overrides their love for their children. In all the four Gospels, Jesus makes the challenging statement that “Whoever tries to spare their life, will lose it; whoever seems to forfeit it, will keep it.”

While living fully in the present, we must look behind the veil of signs to see the Creator. While loving one another, we need to be rooted in the love of Jesus, to deepen our capacity for authentic love. If we forget God, our loving becomes shallow and self-serving; and such love does not last. If we share with others, will God entrust us with eternal life; and to hold on to life we must find it with Jesus, who enables us to truly love one another. Today's Gospel warns us against being so absorbed in our daily life that we neglect what ultimately matters. We are largely taken up with eating and drinking, writing and reading, buying and selling, planting and building and keeping our relationships vibrant. These are the stuff of life and cannot be neglected. They are so important that we may see them as all that matters and neglect our spiritual life. St Josaphat Kuntsevych is remembered today for being constant in keeping his relationship with God vibrant. Josaphat was a courageous and holy servant of God, a bishop committed to the well-being of his flock and salvation of souls. He is remembered for his great piety and dedication to God, his commitment to the Church unity and finally his martyrdom in defending that unity against those who refused to believe in him and the Lord’s truth remains laudable.

May our lives here on earth sing the praises of God, so that we may see God at work in the events of this world! Amen!! Good morning and have a pleasant day!!!