REPENTANCE OR FEAR?

“You did not receive a spirit of slavery leading you back into fear, but a spirit of adoption through which we cry out ‘Abba!’ (that is, ‘Father’).” —Romans 8:15

Because we inherited a fallen nature, we were in fear from the first moment of our conception. We lived in fear (see Lk 12:32) no matter how hard we tried to be free. We would have lived in fear our whole lives (Heb 2:15), but we were set free when we received a new nature by being baptized into Jesus.

When we live our Baptism as adopted children of God, we push fear out of our lives (1 Jn 4:18). However, when we sin and are thereby unfaithful to our baptismal promises, we replace a spirit of adoption with a spirit of slavery, which leads us back into fear (Rm 8:15). In summary, freedom from fear is based on living as adopted children of God, that is, on living our Baptism. Freedom from fear is based on repentance.

People either repent or become lifelong slaves of the fear of death (Heb 2:15). Sometimes people say they are afraid to go to Confession. On the contrary, they will be trapped in fear forever if they do not repent and confess their sins. Therefore, repent, go to Confession, and “do not be afraid of anything” (Mt 10:31).

Prayer: Father, may I go to Confession frequently, even monthly, as You lead me.
Promise: “There was a woman there who for eighteen years had been possessed by a spirit which drained her strength. She was badly stooped — quite incapable of standing erect. When Jesus saw her, He called her to Him and said, ‘Woman, you are free of your infirmity.’ He laid His hand on her, and immediately she stood up straight and began thanking God.” —Lk 13:11-13
Praise: St. Anthony had multiple attempts on his life and suffered great humiliation for the sake of the propagation of truth.

Feast of the Day

October 24
St. Anthony Claret
(1807-1870)

The “spiritual father of Cuba” was a missionary, religious founder, social reformer, queen’s chaplain, writer and publisher, archbishop and refugee. He was a Spaniard whose work took him to the Canary Islands, Cuba, Madrid, Paris and to the First Vatican Council.
In his spare time as weaver and designer in the textile mills of Barcelona, he learned Latin and printing: the future priest and publisher was preparing. Ordained at 28, he was prevented by ill health from entering religious life as a Carthusian or as a Jesuit, but went on to become one of Spain’s most popular preachers.

He spent 10 years giving popular missions and retreats, always placing great emphasis on the Eucharist and devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Her rosary, it was said, was never out of his hand. At 42, beginning with five young priests, he founded a religious institute of missionaries, known today as the Claretians.

He was appointed to head the much-neglected archdiocese of Santiago in Cuba. He began its reform by almost ceaseless preaching and hearing of confessions, and suffered bitter opposition mainly for stamping out concubinage and giving instruction to black slaves. A hired assassin (whose release from prison Anthony had obtained) slashed open his face and wrist. Anthony succeeded in getting the would-be assassin’s death sentence commuted to a prison term. His solution for the misery of Cubans was family-owned farms producing a variety of foods for the family’s own needs and for the market. This invited the enmity of the vested interests who wanted everyone to work on a single cash crop—sugar. Besides all his religious writings are two books he wrote in Cuba: Reflections on Agriculture and Country Delights.

He was recalled to Spain for a job he did not relish—being chaplain for the queen. He went on three conditions: He would reside away from the palace, he would come only to hear the queen’s confession and instruct the children and he would be exempt from court functions. In the revolution of 1868, he fled with the queen’s party to Paris, where he preached to the Spanish colony.

All his life Anthony was interested in the Catholic press. He founded the Religious Publishing House, a major Catholic publishing venture in Spain, and wrote or published 200 books and pamphlets.

At Vatican I, where he was a staunch defender of the doctrine of infallibility, he won the admiration of his fellow bishops. Cardinal Gibbons of Baltimore remarked of him, “There goes a true saint.” At the age of 63, he died in exile near the border of Spain.

Comment:

Jesus foretold that those who are truly his representatives would suffer the same persecution as he did. Besides 14 attempts on his life, Anthony had to undergo such a barrage of the ugliest slander that the very name Claret became a byword for humiliation and misfortune. The powers of evil do not easily give up their prey. No one needs to go looking for persecution. All we need to do is be sure we suffer because of our genuine faith in Christ, not for our own whims and imprudences.

Quote:

Queen Isabella II once said to Anthony, “No one tells me things as clearly and frankly as you do.” Later she told her chaplain, “Everybody is always asking me for favors, but you never do. Isn’t there something you would like for yourself?” He replied, “Yes, that you let me resign.” The queen made no more offers.

Patron Saint of:

Savings
Weavers