|
Stop Paranoia Read: Mathew 6: 24-34 |
|
St. Romuald was born at Ravenna about the year 956. In spite of an infinite desire for virtue and sanctity, his early life was wasted in the service of the world and its pleasures. Then one day, obliged by his father, Sergius, to be present at a duel fought by him, he beheld him slay his adversary. The crime made such an impression upon him that he determined to expiate it for forty days, as though it were entirely his own. For this purpose he retired to a Benedictine monastery of St. Apollinare, near Ravenna, where he became Abbot. After founding several monasteries, he laid the foundations of the austere Order of Camaldoli in Tuscany. |
|
I have the most paranoid parents-in-law. Once, I came home early and asked my mother-in-law where my son was. She panicked and said, “He’s not in his room? The babysitter must have kidnapped him!” When I brought my son to the beach, my father-in-law called more than five times to tell us to be wary of sharks that might eat his grandchild alive.
I asked my mother-in-law once why they worry so much. She said, “Well, what if something really bad happens?”I replied, “Then that’s the time you worry. But until you actually get the bad news, you just have to believe that all of us are all right.” She looked at me with a bemused smile and said, “That’s not the way we think.” I don’t know if my assurance is born out of being a Christian or because I just happen to be optimistic. But I do know that as I grow older and have more responsibilities, I make it a point to lift all my troubles to God. I find that if I want to be free of my worries, I turn my thoughts to the next life and what do you know? Everything else becomes trivial. |
|
Reflection:
“Do not worry about tomorrow; it will have enough worries of its own. There is no need to add to the troubles each day brings.” (Matthew 6:34)
Deliver us from all anxiety as we wait in joyful hope for the coming of Your Son, Jesus Christ. |
|
TODAYS SAINT: St. Romuald |
|
Today’s Bible Reading :
|
|
Like all the saints, he fought a lifelong battle against the assaults of devils and men. In the beginning of his spiritual life he was strongly assailed by numerous temptations, which he conquered by vigilance and prayer. More than one attempt was made on his life, but Divine Providence enabled him to escape from the danger. Like many servants of God, he also became the victim of calumny, which he bore in patience and silence. In his old age, he increased his austerities instead of diminishing them. After a long life of merit, he died in the monastery of Castro, which he founded in Marquisate of Ancona. His death occurred on June 19, about the year 1027. His feast day is June 19th. |
|
DAILY HIGHLIGHTS |
|
“Can any of you by worrying add a single moment to your life-span.” Mathew 6:27 |
|
|