June 13 this year has a double celebration in the Church: the feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and of St Anthony of Padua. St Anthony of Padua once said "Attribute to God every good that you have received. If you take credit for something that does not belong to you, you will be guilty of theft".
Strong words from a saint who is more popularly known for his intercession in finding lost items than for his eloquent preaching.
Indeed, when was the last time that we really acknowledged God as the source of everything good that we have - health, wealth, career, house and lot, car, apostolate in the community, long life, etc? Sometimes, it can be easier for us to take all the credit because, as humans, we tend to be visual - we only see our inputs, our efforts, our sacrifices.If we lack faith, we would hardly see God's own inputs (and those of others like our parents).
Perhaps the way for us to see the goods we enjoy as God's gifts is to be like the Blessed Virgin Mary. In the Annunciation, she acknowledged herself as God's handmaid and readily submitted herself to His will. She never bragged about being God's Mother, but rather sang His praises in the Magnificat. No wonder that St John Eudes, a priest known for his devotion to the Hearts of Jesus and Mary, would say "Do you forget that not only does Jesus reside and dwell in Mary's Heart, but that he is in truth the heart of her Heart and the soul of her soul...?".
I recall how my Lola Piling and Lolo Paul conducted themselves with daily Mass, looking after their growing family, and working as physicians. My grandmother once said that they didn't suffer any fatigue or headache in spite of their busy and challenging schedules. They acknowledged God's abiding presence in their lives.
I recall how my Lola Piling and Lolo Paul conducted themselves with daily Mass, looking after their growing family, and working as physicians. My grandmother once said that they didn't suffer any fatigue or headache in spite of their busy and challenging schedules. They acknowledged God's abiding presence in their lives.
This double celebration should not pass unnoticed. Let's be grateful for all that the Lord has done for us. Remember: "Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises loving kindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things," declares the LORD" (Jeremiah 9:23-24).
Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us.
St Anthony of Padua, pray for us.
