St. John Capistrano

St. John Capistrano is an Italian Franciscan Priest. He lived about 500 years ago. He is the patron of all who are in the legal profession. Why? Because he himself was a magistrate before becoming a priest. He was a wonderful priest, and he brought many people to the faith through his ministry and preaching.

In our first reading, St. Paul focuses on new converts, and their new life in Christ. The new life that he speaks of is the new life of grace. The new life of grace is given to them because of their faith in Christ. No longer are they suppose to live a life of sin, but a life of grace. Traditionally we are taught that we receive graces from the sacraments. Graces are basically the help that God gives us on the faith journey. Traditionally, there are two types: Sanctifying Grace and Actual Grace. Sanctifying grace confers the divine life of God the Most Holy Trinity on the soul. It is the indwelling of the Holy Trinity, and our sharing in the life of God the Trinity. It is only by Sanctifying Grace that we are able to go to heaven. Actual graces helps us to enlighten our mind and strengthen our will, so that we may know what is right and to choose what is right. Sin confuses our intellect and weakens the will. When we lose the sanctifying grace through mortal sin, we also forfeit the divine life of the Holy Trinity. And that is restored when we go to confessions. Again, St. Paul reminds us that about the new life, which is not of sin, but of grace.

In the Gospel, the Lord speaks about being prepared and being vigilant at all times. There’s a saying, “If we fail to prepare, then we prepare to fail.” The Gospel is about always being prepared, like a servant who doesn't know the day or hour when the Master returns, but remains vigilant at all times. Being prepared is not just to prepare our soul for heaven. But it is also being prepared to give reason for our hope and our faith. We are called to be prepared, for instance, when people ask us why we believe, to be prepared to give our own testimony, our own conversation story, why we pray, why we believe in Christ, and why having Christ is beneficial for our lives. And to be prepared to defend our faith when there is an opportunity.

A parishioner shared with me that her husband is thinking about joining the faith, and asked why should he do so. I shared with her that we believe that Christ is truly present in the Eucharist in a mysterious and divine way, and our mission is to share that gift with others. Are you prepared to give your witness and testimony when the opportunity lends itself. God bless you!