For many of us, as Catholic men, the act of giving is second nature. It is our natural response to caring for our loved ones. We have this unique distinction as the guardians of the gate and feel the need to give what we have for the betterment of others. This goes back to Saint Joseph
During this month of June, we celebrate the act of giving in the most profound ways. The gift of the Eucharist, the Holy Trinity, the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the birth of John the Baptist and the acts of Saint Peter and Paul are all related to each other in special ways.
As dedicated as we are to our service to God, we forget, sometimes, the redeeming value and sacrifices these men made so that we could have an eternal presence. They gave of themselves in their deeds and actions and also by what they left behind. To live a divine life is truly special but continuing to give long after we have passed from this world neither is a mark not seen in many men nor is it searched for in the most courageous of souls.
The courage Jesus had in giving of His own life for us and to celebrate His life through continued homage - the courage of John in preparing the way for Jesus - the courage of Peter and Paul to adopt a life that they knew little about and expounding upon themselves in their lives as Disciples of Christ.
Be not afraid. Allow yourselves to be more involved in prayer. In prayer to the devotion to our faith and in each other. This simple act is what God is seeking in each one of us. Ennoblement, salvation, trust, humility, honesty and kindness are but a few of the attributes God has passed on to each one of us. It is through shared experiences that we grow in nature to Christ and to the ultimate simplicity of His and our acts. Our love and our endurance to these values lead us to one of the most powerful acts of all…this solo art of giving.
May the wind be at your backs and may you feel the gentle breath of the Holy Spirit. May peace be with you, always.