Feast of Saint John Boste

Good morning. It isn’t always easy to accept things, yet each of us are put in the position of accepting things and it varies to degree the things we are called to accept. In today's Gospel Jesus reminds us of our need to accept the will of the Father. What truly matters, is how we accept those things we are called upon to accept. C.S. Lewis noted that “For you will certainly carry out God's purpose, however you act, but it makes a difference to you whether you serve like Judas or like John.” We see this in how couples live out their marriage vows. It is often the case that marriage is viewed as a self-designed vehicle for one’s own individual actualization, or it sometimes is viewed simply as a social construct for providing for one’s needs. 

Yet, that is not as it was intended from the beginning. In marriage we are expected to respond in love to God’s will for us. This calling does not end on the day of our wedding but requires daily discernment and with all things He speaks to us over time in the ordinary and not so ordinary events, persons and situations of our lives. Pope Pius XI notes in his Papal Encyclical, Casti Cannubii, “…it is a law of divine Providence in the supernatural order that men do not reap the full fruit of the Sacraments which they receive after acquiring the use of reason unless they cooperate with grace, the grace of matrimony will remain for the most part an unused talent hidden in the field unless the parties exercise these supernatural powers and cultivate and develop the seeds of grace they have received. If, however, doing all that lies with their power, they cooperate diligently, they will be able with ease to bear the burdens of their state and to fulfill their duties.” 

We can accept willingly those things which inevitably will occur in our lives, we need only trust in God’s Providence and be open to His grace. We can look to our saint for today, Saint John Boste, for an example of living life with faith in God and living free of the trappings and will of the world. If we look to God in our marriage and accept His will for us, then we will be guided in making the right decisions and be provided the necessary graces for raising a healthy family and to keep and sanctify our marriage. Thy will be done. Make a great day! 

Today we recall the good life, gifts, and work of Saint John Boste.