Whoever has ears ought to hear.

I did not take my opening line from any of today’s readings but rather from the last line of yesterday’s Gospel because it bears repeating – whoever has ears ought to hear.

All of our readings today give me a very good blueprint on how I am to live my life and it is as simple as this…I am here to serve.  My goal in life is not to be served but to serve.  It is not to have a life of comfort but to accept the cross of Christ, embrace the sacrifice He made for us and return that mercy, that limitless love to all that I encounter.  If I want to be a true leader, a true man of God, a true man of prayer, then I must serve and not desire to be served.

I have mentors who assist me in this mission and I look to their leadership, their counsel quite often.  Who are they?  The saints in Heaven.  My father Jack, in my mind, lived a life that was dedicated to serving others.  His daily sacrifices for his family and friends are a constant thought in my mind and how I try to shape my life.  My father-in-law Ignatius was that same example for my wife and the two of us try to honor their legacy in the lives we live today and everyday.

I also have a “favored” list of saints that I pray to for strength, for wisdom, for guidance and I ask that them to offer my intentions to God in their heavenly life of prayer and adoration.  My list is the following:

St. Cecilia – patron saint of musicians

St. Blaise, St. Thomas the Apostle, St. Mary Magdalen:  They are the namesake saints of the parishes that have had the most impact on my spiritual growth.

St. Jerome, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Stephen:  They are saints of my formal name.  Gotta ask my “buds” for their intercession.

St. Michael, St. Raphael, St. Gabriel:  The Archangels – who wouldn’t want them on their daily journey.

St. Joseph:  My mentor in parenting and marriage.

Our Blessed Mother, St. Mary:  The unconditional love of any mother for their children is a great example for all men to follow; our blessed Mother is that source, that example for all of those earthly women.  St. Mary will always be at the top of my mentor’s list.

Do something great for our Lord today – find a mentor to teach you how to serve and accept your mission from God to serve all of His people.

God’s will, not mine, be done.

Be not afraid; just have faith.

Jesus, I trust in You.

He must increase; I must decrease.