Today we celebrate the feast of St. Angela Merici. If you have never heard of her, I invite you to look up her biography and see what an incredible young lady she was. She lived in the 15th century. Orphaned at a very young age, she was sent to live with her uncle. While praying in a field one day, she had a vision that she would start a new order. And that is exactly what she did.
Angela had a passion for working with young girls. Her desire was to educate them so that they could do well and grow up virtuous. In the 1500’s she and 28 young girls consecrated themselves to the Lord and vowed to remain virgins. That was the beginning of the congregation known as the Ursulines. She was an amazing young woman.
What a model Saint Angela is for us! Can you imagine some young lady gathering almost 30 girls and going to the Bishop to consecrate their virginity to the Lord? It gives us something to ponder for sure. It prods us to take a look at our own lives and see where we can be more holy, pure and innocent.
In today’s Gospel (from the Optional Memorial Mass), Jesus tells us that we need to have the heart of a child. And what does that really mean? Well, what does a little child actually represent? Have you ever held a baby up to your cheek? At that moment, you are holding in your hands someone who is about as close to God as you can get. That little one is pure and innocent.
Perhaps you have noticed that the world does not teach us to be pure and innocent. It is quite the opposite. So what are we to do? It’s kind of like a war between us and the world. As I get older, I have more quiet time, and I have noticed that the Lord’s voice has gotten somewhat louder. He is not afraid to tell me my faults. And when I do step out of His will, He has no problem letting me know.
Living in this world it is a real challenge to keep the junk out of our heads. But guess what? The Lord will give us the grace to live in His will. Just ask Him for it and you will be surprised at what He will do. Perhaps during this slower, post-Christmas season we can take some time to look at ourselves and try to imagine what God sees when He looks at us. Personally I would like to look better!
Serving With Joy!
Hoy celebramos la fiesta de Santa Ángela Merici. Si nunca han oído hablar de ella, los invito a buscar su biografía y descubrir la increíble joven que fue. Vivió en el siglo XV. Huérfana a muy temprana edad, fue enviada a vivir con su tío. Un día, mientras rezaba en el campo, tuvo una visión de que iba a fundar una nueva orden. Y eso fue exactamente lo que hizo.
Ángela tenía una pasión por trabajar con niñas. Su deseo era educarlas para que prosperaran y llegaran a ser adultos virtuosos. En el siglo XVI, ella y 28 jóvenes se consagraron al Señor e hicieron voto de permanecer vírgenes. Ese fue el comienzo de la congregación conocida como las Ursulinas. Era una joven extraordinaria.
¡Santa Ángela es un modelo para nosotros! ¿Te imaginas a una joven reuniendo a casi 30 niñas y acudiendo al obispo para consagrar su virginidad al Señor? Sin duda, nos da algo en qué reflexionar. Nos impulsa a reflexionar sobre nuestras propias vidas y a ver dónde podemos ser más santos, puros e inocentes.
En el Evangelio de hoy (de la Misa de Memoria Opcional), Jesús nos dice que debemos tener el corazón de un niño. ¿Y qué significa eso realmente? Bueno, ¿qué representa un niño pequeño? ¿Alguna vez has sostenido a un bebé junto a tu mejilla? En ese momento, tienes en tus manos a alguien que está lo más cerca de Dios que puedes estar. Ese pequeño es puro e inocente.
Quizás hayas notado que el mundo no nos enseña a ser puros e inocentes. Es todo lo contrario. Entonces, ¿qué debemos hacer? Es como una guerra entre nosotros y el mundo. A medida que envejezco, tengo más tiempo en silencio y he notado que la voz del Señor se ha vuelto un poco más fuerte. No tiene miedo de decirme mis faltas. Y cuando me salgo de su voluntad, no tiene problema en hacérmelo saber.
Vivir en este mundo es un verdadero desafío mantener la basura fuera de nuestras cabezas. ¿Pero adivina qué? El Señor nos dará la gracia de vivir en su voluntad. Solo pídeselo y te sorprenderás de lo que hará. Quizás durante esta época más tranquila después de Navidad, podamos tomarnos un tiempo para mirarnos a nosotros mismos e intentar imaginar lo que Dios ve cuando nos mira. ¡A mí me gustaría verme mejor!
¡Sirviendo con alegría!
Deacon Dan Schneider is a retired general manager of industrial distributors. He and his wife Vicki have been married for over 55 years. They are the parents of eight children and thirty-one grandchildren. He has a degree in Family Life Education from Spring Arbor University. He was ordained a Permanent Deacon in 2002. He has a passion for working with engaged and married couples and his main ministry has been preparing couples for marriage.
Featured Image Credit: Rhamely, unsplash.com/photos/a-couple-of-women-wearing-black-and-white-standing-in-front-of-a-lake-l-LNORo5wcw
The views and opinions expressed in the Inspiration Daily blog are solely those of the original authors and contributors. These views and opinions do not necessarily represent those of Diocesan, the Diocesan staff, or other contributors to this blog.
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