“Consider that today has been given to you so that through it you may earn eternity. Resolve firmly to make good use of the day for this cause” (St. Francis de Sales).
Today is the day that has been given to me by my Heavenly Father! We cannot know for sure whether there will be a tomorrow. If we make good use of today for eternity and do not waste it, our life will take on a fruitful focus.
Note: Although today is Sunday, we would like to dedicate today’s meditation to the liturgical feast that is normally celebrated on 25 January: the Conversion of Saint Paul. The tireless Apostle of the Gentiles has, in fact, become our patron saint for the mission entrusted to us. Those who would prefer to listen to a meditation on today’s reading can find the corresponding link at the end of the text.
Acts 22:3-16
“I am a Jew, born at Tarsus in Cili′cia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gama′li-el, educated according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God as you all are this day. I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering to prison both men and women, as the high priest and the whole council of elders bear me witness. From them I received letters to the brethren, and I journeyed to Damascus to take those also who were there and bring them in bonds to Jerusalem to be punished. “As I made my journey and drew near to Damascus, about noon a great light from heaven suddenly shone about me.
“Our angel’s desire to help us is much greater than our desire to let him help us” (St. John Bosco).
In his infinite goodness, our Heavenly Father grants us a reliable friend and lifelong companion. It is a great joy for our guardian angel to accompany us, because on the one hand this service allows him to show his love for God, whose command he fulfills, and on the other hand he can offer us his love through his help and fraternal closeness.
“There is no better way to honor God, our Father, than through boundless trust” (St. Alphonsus Maria de Liguori).
Boundless trust honors our Father in a special way, as St. Alphonsus Maria affirms. In fact, the saint is convinced that there is no better way to honor Him.
For those who would prefer to listen to a meditation on the gospel of the day:
“When the soul contemplates something beautiful and charming, let it consider how much more beautiful, charming, and good is the One who made it. In this way, it will turn directly toward the One who created everything. If it hears a sweet melody or something else that delights it, let it say, ‘Oh! How lovely must be the voice of the One who will one day call you, and from whom all the grace and harmony of the voice emanate.’” (St. Mechthild of Magdeburg)
“I let Myself be easily found, because I am here and in you” (Inner Word).
The masters of spiritual life remind us again and again that we can find God within ourselves. And this is so because the Lord Himself assured us: “If a man loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him” (Jn 14:23).
For those who would prefer to listen to a meditation on the gospel of the day:
