Daily Gospel Reflection
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October 24, 2023
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Gird your loins and light your lamps
and be like servants who await their master’s return from a wedding,
ready to open immediately when he comes and knocks.
Blessed are those servants
whom the master finds vigilant on his arrival.
Amen, I say to you, he will gird himself,
have them recline at table, and proceed to wait on them.
And should he come in the second or third watch
and find them prepared in this way,
blessed are those servants.”
According to Dictionary.com, “Gird your loins” means to prepare oneself for something challenging. In biblical context, it refers to tucking up the traditional long robe into a belt to avoid getting tripped up during physical activity. So, today’s reading speaks of getting ready for the master’s arrival to be vigilant, alert, and prepared for the challenge ahead.
In our post-modern world with 24/7 connectivity and communication, countless obstacles and anxieties are waiting to trip us up. We have constant pressure to be vigilant for what’s coming next whether it’s a required need or not. This leads to anticipation and excitement during the best of times. At its worst, this pressure leads to overwhelming fear.
I try to remind myself and my family that the best way to avoid anxiety is to prepare for the expected responsibilities. Take care of the essentials. Whether it’s a big test, a presentation at work, a wedding, a spouse coming home from work, kids returning from school… the list goes on and on. Be prepared, and you will benefit.
I also view today’s gospel as a lesson to be vigilant awaiting God’s knock on the door as he enters our lives. I’m not referring to the day of reckoning but rather to the day-to-day entrances. I think of the small but not-so-small knocks found in my daughter’s bedtime hugs, a visit with an old friend, or the love and companionship of my wife.
If we open our eyes and hearts to God and actively look for his presence in these daily moments, we will be truly blessed with inner peace and joy.
Prayer
Compared to what you have done for me, Abba, everything I can do for others is a mere pittance. Yet it means so much to you, and does so much in bringing about the fullness of your Kingdom. I ask of your Spirit this day the grace to “wait on someone.” A smile, a kind word, yielding on the street or in the meeting room, making peace with someone whom I’ve been holding at arm’s length, forgiving someone who has hurt me – whatever you ask me to do, may I have the grace to do it. Amen.
Saint of the Day

St. Anthony Mary Claret led a colorful life as a popular preacher in Spain and Archbishop of Cuba, even surviving an assassination attempt and then pleading for the life of his attacker.
Anthony was born in Spain in 1807, the son of a weaver. He grew up practicing his father’s trade, and studied Latin and printing in his spare time. At the age of 22, he entered the seminary and was ordained a priest in 1835.
He had a desire to serve in the foreign missions, but his health failed and he was encouraged to focus his efforts on evangelizing the people of his native Spain. He began to preach parish missions and give retreats throughout his home region.
His zeal inspired other priests. He gathered a number together and established a new religious order, the Missionary Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, who are now known as Claretians. The order spread through Spain and beyond.
Soon after this success, he was appointed Archbishop of Santiago, Cuba. It was difficult work reforming the Church in Cuba, which had fallen into disorder, and he encountered deep resistance. In fact, on several occasions, he was nearly assassinated.
In one case, a man seriously wounded Anthony because he blamed him for the loss of his mistress, who had converted her life and left him. Anthony interceded for the man in court, however, and saved him from a death sentence.
In 1857, Anthony returned to Spain to serve the queen. He refused to reside in the court, however, and spent as much time as he could preaching to ordinary people and spreading good reading literature throughout his home region. He is responsible for founding Barcelona’s Libreria Religiosa, now known as the Claret Library, which played a large role in preserving and enhancing Catholic culture in Spain.
Anthony preached 10,000 homilies and published more than 200 books or pamphlets to teach the faith. While in charge of an institution of higher education, he established science laboratories, a museum of natural history, as well as schools of music and languages.
Beyond his impressive intellect, Anthony gave his heart to God. As he grew in holiness, he was given the gifts of prophecy and healing, and his prayer often placed him in ecstasy and rapture.
At the end of his life, he was exiled with the queen to Rome. He did not cease his ministry, however, and he attended the first Vatican council and helped to define the teaching of papal infallibility. He died on this date in 1870.
St. Anthony Mary Claret is patron saint of those who work with textiles and in the Catholic press. His relics rest in the Basilica reliquary chapel.
St. Anthony Mary Claret, you supported the Catholic press and are the spiritual father of Cuba—pray for us!
Image Credit: Our featured image of St. Anthony Mary Claret is used with permission from Catholic Online. Last accessed October 4, 2024.