kadjo

Todays is feast of St. Raymond of Penyafort, a priest and Dominican intellectual who live upto his old-age 100 years . 

I think its best to quote what I am reading at the moment:

"St. Raymond’s life shows an admirable synthesis of traditional piety and devotion,  service to the Church, obedience to his superiors, love of theology, dedication to his Order, and respect and love for the law. To know, love, and follow the law is not contrary to charity. When kept, the law promotes charity and protects the weak, the poor, and the ignorant from being taken advantage of. It takes very smart and holy people to protect simple people and bad people from themselves. Saint Raymond was smart and holy. He laid his gifts at the altar of God, and God used those gifts splendidly."

I'm on my 43 years now going to 44 this September 2019. When i was a young "activist" / "leftist" guy I used to think that I wont last upto 40 because I'm offering my life to a very "worthy" cause. A reckless indeed if evaluating today what my thoughts on  age 20s days. A really reckless one. If something negative happens before, I wont have 2 kids and lovely wife who despite of struggles financial and emotional still stick together.  That recklessness might wont let me see what my father and mother was experiencing when they struggle for us to finish our undergrad studies with my other 5 siblings. 

I would like to thank whatever I have receive today. Making me realize my mistakes, see the blessings and graces few years . I would like to thank my Mother, Our Lady of Perpetual Help help guiding me to the right path with Him her son.

I might be a spec of small dust in this world but I am sure with His help, with the prayes of all saints and Mother, with St. Raymond, i hope to contribute more to help my fellow lighten whatever they are facing right now. 

St. Raymond, teach us to see the law of God and the law of the Church as one harmonious law meant to foster true communion among men and true communion between God and men. May God’s law be our law. And may the law never be an obstacle to true love and devotion. St Raymond, pray for us.