THE FEAST OF ST JOHN OF GOD.
FEAST OF ST JOHN OF GOD, RELIGIOUS FOUNDER.
A TAX COLLECTOR NAMED LEVI.
THE GOOD NEWS:
"Jesus saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at the customs post. He said to him, “Follow me.” And leaving everything behind, he got up and followed him.
"Then Levi gave a great banquet for him in his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were at table with them.
"The Pharisees and their scribes complained to his disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?”
"Jesus said to them in reply, “Those who are healthy do not need a physician, but the sick do. I have not come to call the righteous to repentance but sinners.” (Luke 5: 27 - 32).
Saturday 8th March 2025. Saturday After Easter in the Season of Lent. is the feast of St John of God.
St John of God lived between (1495 - 1550). He was born Portuguese. He worked and died in Spain. A prodigal of some sort in his younger days. Once he was converted at the age of 40, everything changed. He became fired up with ministry to the poor and the sick. John was a man of many talents and at various times became a farmer, soldier and merchant.
I knew St John of God as a pamphleteer because at the time I first read his biography, I used pamphlets for evangelization. He became my patron saint and is still one of my patron saints.
St John of God is the patron saint of hospitals, nurses, booksellers, pamphleteers.
“Come and be one of my disciples!” So Levi left everything, sprang up, and went with him." (TLB Translation).
The TLB Translation catches the enthusiasm of Levi better known as Matthew. If you have been waiting for a call, or an opportunity to open up for a long time, you understand Matthew's reaction.
A vocation is a sacred call made by God to predestined souls. Usually, the soul would have a premonition that he is born for more. Like Abraham Lincoln. He is in a subdued mood of restlessness till the Teacher shows up. A Chinese proverb says: "When the student is ready, the teacher appears."
Jesus' sudden appearance at Matthew's Tax Office was not an accident. It was Divine Providence. Matthew, the Tax Collector became the Chronicler of the early Church. He was not perfect. None of the Twelve Apostles was perfect. Perfection took a long time in coming to many of the first disciples of Jesus. It came through following Jesus every day and watching Him and doing what Jesus did.
St Joseph is the man chosen by God to be the foster father and guardian of Jesus.
Memorare to St. Joseph:
Remember, O most chaste spouse of the Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who implored your help and sought your intercession were left unassisted. Full of confidence in your power I fly unto you and beg your protection. Despise not O Guardian of the Redeemer my humble supplication, but in your bounty, hear and answer me. Amen.
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