No Time for Divisions - Celebrating the Feast of St. Josemaria
By Ana Wendel, Ralegh, NC June 2023
On June 17, 2023, families from far and near gathered at St. Luke the Evangelist Church in Raleigh to celebrate the Feast Day Mass of St. Josemaria Escriva, Founder of Opus Dei. Presided by Monsignor Jeffrey A. Ingham, V. F., the Mass was attended by a large number of lay faithful and friends of Opus Dei.
In his homily, Msgr. Ingham emphasized St. Josemaria Escriva's role as the patron saint of the ordinary. He echoed the notable quote of St. Josemaria, “Either we learn to find the Lord in the ordinary everyday life, or else we shall never find Him,” and encouraged us to seek holiness where we are. Commenting on the Gospel reading from St. Luke, Monsengier reminded us that we must, by answering God’s call, allow the Lord to turn our ordinary work into something powerful and supernatural, as Peter did in the miraculous catch.
Reflecting on the first reading from Genesis, Monsengior recalled that God created all things good and emphasized St. Josemaria’s teaching on the “unity of life”. We cannot be “schizophrenic” in our lives of faith and our lives of family and work, he said and frequently repeated that St. Josemaria had “no time for such divisions”. Msgr. Ingham went as far as stating that the concept of a secular world is fictitious since God created all the world and has given it to us Christians to cooperate in the “rescue mission” of salvation. Therefore we should never be afraid of the world but seek boldly to sanctify it by bringing all that we encounter and accomplish to the feet of our Lord. Finally, Msgr. Ingham discussed the significance of the Eucharist and how it serves as a source of strength and nourishment for our souls and is the proper place to bring all we do to the foot of the cross.
Following the Mass, families gathered for a reception in the church hall. The reception was a time for people to socialize and strengthen bonds, both old and new. For some participants, it was a way to connect to Opus Dei activities for the first time in North Carolina while one participant just stopped in to thank God for the answered prayers of finding a job through the intersection of St. Josemaria.
The Mass for the Feast of St. Josemaria Escriva was a beautiful time to remember the life and work of this “Saint of the Ordinary,” to ask for his intercession for our many intentions and to thank God for the gift of Opus Dei in our lives and communities.
Now in the spirit of St. Josemaria, let’s remember, “There is just one life, made of flesh and spirit. And it is this life which has to become, in both soul and body, holy and filled with God.” -St. Josemaria Escriva.