– Feast of St.Anthony – 13th June 9th June, 2021
Psalm 88
I will sing forever of your love, O Lord; through all ages my mouth will proclaim your truth.
Of this I am sure, that your love lasts for ever,
that your truth is firmly established as the heavens.
The Heavens proclaim your wonders, O Lord;
the assembly of your holy ones proclaims your truth.
For who in the skies can compare with the Lord
or who is like the Lord among the sons of God?
Justice and right are the pillars of your throne,
love and truth walk in your presence.
Happy the people who acclaim such a king,
who walk, O Lord, in the light of your face,
who find their joy every day in your name,
who make your justice the source of their bliss.
LITANY OF PRAISE:
Blessed be the Lord for ever.
SCRIPTURE READING: Isaiah 61:1-3
The spirit of the Lord has been given to me, for the Lord has anointed me. He has sent me to bring good news to the poor, to bind up hearts that are broken; to proclaim liberty to captives, freedom to those in prison; to proclaim a year of favour from the Lord, a day of vengeance for our God, to comfort all those who mourn and to give them for ashes, a garland; for mourning robe, the oil of gladness, for despondency, praise.
The word of the Lord.
REFLECTION: a) (St.Anthony of Padua)
A person who is filled with the Holy Spirit speaks several languages. These several languages are the various ways of witnessing to Christ, such as humility, poverty, obedience and patience, with which we speak when we practise them towards our neighbour. Language comes alive when it speaks by deeds. Enough of talking; let actions speak.
b) (Leonard Foley OFM)
The Gospel call to leave everything and follow Christ was the rule of Anthony’s life. Over and over again, God called him to something new in his plan. Every time Anthony responded with renewed zeal and self-sacrificing to serve his Lord Jesus more completely.
His journey as the servant of God began as a very young man when he decided to join the Augustinians, giving up a future of wealth and power to be a servant of God. Later, when the bodies of the first Franciscan martyrs went through the town, he was again filled with an intense longing to be one of those closest to Jesus himself: those who die for the Good News.
So Anthony entered the Franciscan Order and set out to preach to the Moors, but an illness prevented him from achieving his goal and he returned to Italy. The call of God came again at an ordination where no one was prepared to speak. The humble and obedient Anthony hesitatingly accepted the task. Anthony’s sermon was astounding to those who expected an unprepared speech and knew not the Spirit’s power to give people words.
Anthony should be the patron of those who find their lives completely uprooted and set in a new and unexpected direction. Like all saints, he is a perfect example of turning one’s life completely over to Christ. God did with Anthony as God pleased – and what God pleased was a life of spiritual power and brilliance that still attracts admiration today.
He who popular devotion has nominated as finder of lost objects, found himself by losing himself totally to the providence of God.
INTERCESSIONS: Lord, in your mercy . . . Hear our prayer
CLOSING PRAYER: (St.Anthony of Padua)
A fish is not hurt by the constant pounding of the sea,
nor is faith destroyed by life’s adversities.
Lord Jesus Christ, may we sing the song of your praise, rejoice only in you, live modestly, abandon our worries, and tell you all our needs,
so that in the refuge of your peace,
we can live in the heavenly Jerusalem, with your help,
who are blessed and glorious for eternal ages. Amen.