Memorial of Saint Anthony of Padua, Priest and Doctor of the Church

READINGS

Gospel Mt 5:13-16

Jesus said to his disciples: "You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned? It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house. Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father."

REFLECTION

Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father." (Matthew 5:16)

Several years ago, I went with my family to the beach. We parked our cars on the hard sand and left them about 100 feet from shore to wade into the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Silly me, I locked my car and walked off with my grandkids to wade in the surf. After we got tired of being knocked down by the waves, we went back to the cars. Guess what? I couldn't find my keys!!! I searched for a while, but no keys.

The tide was coming in and I needed to move my car. I prayed to St. Anthony to help me find the keys. No results, so I called one of my daughters-in-law to ask if she could bring me the spare keys.

A months later I received a call from a stranger, she said her son found my keys in the surf, but they didn't know how to find the owner. Her son noticed that there was a PETCO tag on the keys, so they asked the PETCO owner near them if he could find a phone number associated with the tag. Sure enough, she called and told me they found my keys and where can they mail them. I prayed a prayer of thanksgiving to St. Anthony confirming that he did find my keys.

"Tony, Tony turn around something's lost and must be found." Parents and religion teachers may teach their children this little rhyme when they read to them about the life of St. Anthony of Padua. St. Anthony is known as the patron saint for finding lost articles, people, or spiritual goods. He is the patron saint of sailors and travelers. But most importantly he is known for his preaching. His nickname was the "Hammer of Heretics."

One of the miracles of St. Anthony was when he went to a town to preach to the heretics there, they refused to listen to him. So he walked down to the water and preached to the fish. Those who followed him saw that the fish were gathering and poking their heads out of the water to listen to St. Anthony. Then they realized that they should listen to St. Anthony's message, too. News traveled throughout the town and soon they were all converted to Catholicism.

St. Anthony was humble, peaceful, and a lover of God's word. He would pray to the Lord for the ability to express the Gospel message in everyday situations of life. During his last sermons, there were 30,000 people gathered to hear him and the churches couldn't hold them. Many stood outside in the plazas to hear him preach. They even needed someone as a bodyguard to protect him from people wanting to tear pieces of his clothes.

The light of Christ was shining through St. Anthony whenever he preached. He didn't hide his talent because he preached for God's glory and to bring others closer to Jesus.

Let us pray for all priests to be lovers of God's Word and to bring others the light of Christ through their preaching. Pray with us our PAPA Prayer for Priests.