Date: June 13, 2020 ()

Bible Text: |

Series:

The first reading recalls the story of Elijah’s calling of Elisha to become his successor prophet. Elisha’s response was tremendously wonderful. Immediately, he went to his mother and father to kiss them goodbye; slaughtered the oxen, took the yoke and the plow equipment to turn them into a fuel; cooked the flesh of the oxen; and gave the food to his people. Now there is no point of return. Elisha is fully resolved to follow Elijah.

Today is the Memorial of St. Anthony of Padua. I had a special affinity to this saint for the reason that the name of the Parish where I was baptized is St. Anthony de Padua church. It’s our mother parish that was shepherded by missionary priests in decades since 1913, the last missionary pastor being Fr. Frank Felter, a Maryknoll Father, a committed missionary who left his home in New Jersey to find Jesus somewhere in another country.

Fernando Martins, St. Anthony’s birthname, entered the Augustinian community at the age of 15. Like the prophet Elisha, St Anthony also, when distracted by frequent visits from family and friends, he asked to be transferred to the motherhouse of the congregation, the Monastery of the Holy Cross in Coimbra where he later studied theology and Latin and became a priest. Attracted to the simplicity and courage of the Franciscans, he asked permission to join their congregation.

Noted by his contemporaries for his powerful preaching, expert knowledge of scripture, and undying love and devotion to the poor and the sick, St. Anthony was one of the most quickly canonized saints. He was an evangelical doctor, hammer of heretics, professor of miracles, and doctor of the Church. St. Anthony models to us a discipleship that is total and with single-minded devotion leaving behind his wealth and good life for the sake of Jesus.

The Lord in the gospel today delivers a discourse with regard to making commitments. “You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, Do not take a false oath, but make good to the Lord all that you vow…But I say to you, do not swear at all…Let your ‘Yes’ mean ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No’ mean ‘No’. Let us examine today how are we doing in terms of our following the Lord? Are we really totally into Jesus; or do we still allow worldly things and worries to get in the way as we try to follow Him?