“Observe the commandments of the Lord. There is nothing more noble and exalted than serving God” (St. Lawrence Justinian).
These words were spoken by St. Lawrence Justinian, Patriarch of Venice, whose feast we celebrate today according to the traditional calendar. They were his final words before he died. He died saying, “I come to You, O Jesus.”
He had spent his life enduring many hardships, entrusting them to the Heavenly Father since his childhood. The phrase “no road was too long for him, no burden too heavy, no effort too great” can be applied to him. His love for God drove him, and it is said that thanks to his prayers and penances, Venice was saved from destruction.
Indeed, serving God is the noblest and most exalted thing, as well as the most natural. We serve the Lord of lords, who is also the kindest and most tender of all Fathers! Can you imagine anything more beautiful, noble, or exalted?
Unfortunately, we are not sufficiently aware of this or of the dignity this service bestows upon us. Even if the world recognizes it less and less today, or even despises and persecutes it, this does not change the reality before God.
Therefore, we are called to serve our Heavenly Father with joy every day of our lives and take advantage of every opportunity to please Him. He encourages us to do so! In His goodness, God makes Himself known to us so that it will be easier for us to serve Him, especially during the most difficult times.
Let us heed today’s saint’s advice so that we do not waste time on our journey of following the Lord:
“Who understands the value of time? Only those who have ever lost it know it.”