“You have a special mission to perform in life; there is a particular task marked out for each and every one of you. And to succeed in life you must remain united to Jesus; you must listen to him when he tells you, ‘Remain in my love.'” (Blessed Pope Joh Paul II, May 8, 1984)
Near the back of St. Patrick’s Cathedral, there is a small gift shop with a very virtuous lady behind the counter. I was observing her extreme patience with a particular customer who changed his mind three times about the style of rosary that he wanted and then he added on a few things at the last minute after she had rung up the account. After the customer left, I asked her, “How has your day been going?” She responded with a worn down smile, “Father, it has been a very long day with some difficulties, but I am doing fine.” She was fulfilling her “particular task” well, and I was impressed by her level of “self-mastery”, kindness and patience…truly a witness of Christian living!
