ST JOSE MARIA ESCRIVA

Genesis 15:1-12,17-18; Ps 105 The Lord remembers his covenant forever; Matthew 7:15-20

Today in the life of the church we celebrate the feast of St. Josemaria Escriva.  IT was on January 9, 1918 that he first began to think about God's call for him.  IT all started with footprints in the snow.

He was in the middle of the winter, out and about,  when he spied footprints in the snow.  He noticed these prints were left by bare feet.  IT was about then that he caught out the corner of his eye a discalced Carmelite Friar.

A he ponder what was all this about, the thought that entered his mind and eventually led him to be open to the call of God in his life was the following, "If others could make such sacrifice, can't I offer something."

Can't I offer something.  Thus began his inclination to the voice of God in his life. Eventually he discerned the call to the priesthood.

After being ordained, while just 26 years of age he had a thought.  After celebrating the the mass on the feast of the guardian angels on October 2,1928, he had a vision of sorts.  He saw people of every nation and race and age and tongue and culture seeking to find God right in the middl of their ordinary life, their work, their family, their friendships.

People who looked for Jesus in order o lobe him and live his holy life until they were completely transformed into saints, as one who so dedicated their life such as to dedicate all their activity to God whether they were bankers, butchers, lawyers, teachers and so on.

He realized that one who is a disciple of Christ christianizes his surroundings and his faith is contagious.  These lay people would raise Christ to the peak of every human activity and offer sanctifying sacrifice of their entire lived experience.

Thus was born OPUS DEI.

It was later while celebrating the mass and elevating the host that the words of scripture came to mind, "and I, if i be lifted up from the earth, will draw all things unto me."

He envisioned men and women of God who would lift the cross to the pinnacle of all human activities.

So go forth and lift high the cross and raise the banner of Christ to all human activity.