Tuesday, January 14 : Saint Josémaria Escriva de Balaguer

“Christ,” wrote a Father of the Church [Saint John Chrysostom], “has left us in this world to be like lamps…, to act like leaven…, to become seed, to bear fruit. If our lives were to have this kind of impact we would not need to open our mouths. Words would be unnecessary if we could show our works. There wouldn’t be a single pagan left if we were truly christians.” We should avoid making the mistake of thinking that the apostolate consists in the witness of a few pious practices. We are christians, you and I, but at the same time, and without resolution of continuity, we are citizens and fellow-workers at very clear obligations, which we are to carry out in an exemplary fashion if we want to become holy once and for all. It is Jesus Christ who urges us: “You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and then set it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand , where it gives light to all in the house. Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father” (Mt 5:14-16). Your professional work, whatever it may be, becomes the lamp giving light to your colleagues and friends. That’s why I’m always saying over again…: what does it matter to me if someone tells me he is a good sort, a good christian, if he’s nothing but a mediocre cobbler! If he doesn’t make the effort to master his trade and exercise it diligently then he will neither be able to sanctify it nor make an offering of it to our Lord. And the sanctification of our daily work is, so to speak, the melting pot of genuine spirituality for all those of us who, while immersed in temporal affairs, have committed ourselves to remaining with God.

Roman Extraordinary (Tridentine) Daily Readings – rosary,team