Today we remember St. Cajetan 1480-1547. He was a lawyer who was ordained late in life at the age of 36. He joined the Oratory of Divine Love and later founded a hospital for the incurables.
He remarked that in the oratory they seek to serve God by worship; in the hospitals we may say we actually find Him.
Cajetan was instrumental in seeking to reform the church. He was a contemporary of Luther. Whereas Luther separated himself from the Church, Cajetan stood steadfast seeking to reform the church and guide it back to holiness.
He is a great example for us all. It is easy to leave the Church when we get discouraged or disillusioned. It is a greater act of Faith to remain and seek to reform it from the inside out.
How many men and women have left the church, out of selfish concern for themselves without much consideration for the welfare of the souls they leave behind. Cajetan sought to never abandon Mother Church and in doing so led many to be reformed in spirit and life.
Upon his death bed, the doctors who attended to Cajetan wanted him to lay on a softer bed rather then the boards he was sleeping on. Cajetan responded, "My savior died on the cross. Let me die on wood at least."
St. Cajetan understood well the words of JEsus in today's gospel, "Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me...whoever loses his life for my sake will find it."
In the words of Jesus, "What can one give in exchange for his life?" The answer, we can only give in response to the gift we have received.
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