Readings:
Isaiah 61:1-3d. Psalm 89. Luke 10:1-9
Year after year, our priests have been reminding us to imitate St. Anthony of Padua, our beloved patron. As most of you already know, St. Anthony has many “titles”: the Finder of the Lost; the Hammer of Heretics; the Evangelical Doctor; the Professor of Miracles; the Fish-Preaching Friar; the Embracer of the Christ Child. But before St. Anthony was known as the bearer of these names, he was practically unknown. The Lord had other plans for him. If we will roll up into one all of his titles, we can see plainly that St. Anthony was called to be a hardworking seeker of those who were lost along the way by “carrying the Lord” to those who could not find him.
From Jesus’ own earthly time to that of St. Anthony and even in our own, the vast number of lost souls in need of being gathered as one have been a pressing need. The problem is, there were, and still are, very few who would dare to respond to the Lord’s call to be laborers in his harvest. In his early years as a Franciscan, St. Anthony was also a reluctant laborer. He actually preferred to work quietly as a regular ordinary friar. As a sickly hermit, he was assigned to serve his brothers in the community by working in the kitchen. He loved that modest menial task, because he was called to serve that way. But one day in their little community, on the occasion of an ordination, there was some misunderstanding over who should preach. Many of their visitors were Dominicans. Naturally, the Franciscans expected that one of the Dominicans would occupy the pulpit for they were renowned as preachers.
The Dominicans, on the other hand, had come unprepared, thinking that a Franciscan would be the homilist since they were the hosts of the occasion. In this dilemma, the prior—who had no one among his own humble friars suitable for the occasion—called upon St. Anthony the cook-refectorian. The prior ordered him to speak whatever the Holy Spirit should put into his mouth. St. Anthony humbly opened his mouth to object, “I’m just a simple friar,” but out of obedience, he still submitted to his superior’s order. To the astonishment of his listeners, the sickly friar’s sermon created a deep impression. Not only his rich voice and arresting manner, but the entire theme and substance of his discourse and his moving eloquence, held the attention of all who were present. When his astounding gift of preaching was discovered, St. Anthony was sent out to preach and teach, not only his fellow Franciscans, but also other people who long for the Lord’s glad tidings. From being a quiet server of earthly food that brings temporal health, the Lord willed him to be a server of the food that gives heavenly bliss and eternal life.
Like our patron saint, we are also called by the master of the harvest to look within our hearts and discover our hidden traits that can be of use in the Lord’s field. At times, we may be tempted to keep to ourselves the talents God gave us, but we have to remember that he gave those talents in the first place because he wills us all to work as one in the great harvest. No matter how simple our respective duties may be, they can trigger a fruitful ripple effect if we allow God’s Word to touch our very core. St. Anthony’s mission was initialized by a single event that unveiled his profound knowledge of theology and his rhetorical prowess. Likewise, a single moment of God’s grace working in us can have a rippling effect in the community if we will not keep to ourselves the glad tidings of our lives.
At first, we may feel like objecting, saying like St. Anthony, “I can’t.” “I’m unworthy.” “I’m just a simple dude.” If we do so out of humility, no problem. If out of laziness, then that is a big problem, for that would be tantamount to saying “I will not obey.” We have to remember that even though St. Anthony initially refused, he still obeyed his prior. It is good to be humble by admitting our limitations. Nevertheless, it is a lot better to be obedient by serving out of selfless love.
St. Anthony of Padua continued preaching the Good News of God’s glad tidings working in us, even in simple things that are essentially mundane. For him, earthly things can be mirrors of heavenly bliss if only we allow God’s Spirit to penetrate our lives, the way sunlight passes through stained glass windows, thus making us glow with our “true colors.” Our patron saint kept doing God’s will till his last days here on earth. His health failed. He became very weak. However, he never stopped contemplating the word of God. Hence, he is often depicted reading the Bible, from which the Christ Child himself appears, embracing with tenderness. Like him, let us embrace God by reading his Word and living by it. And even if we will remain unknown, let us share the Christ Child by carrying him to those who can find him on their own, allowing God’s brightness to shine on others by glowing through our lives. Amen.
Photo Courtesy: Sem. Kendrick Ivan B. Panganiban (Parokya ng Ina ng Laging Saklolo)
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