Father Michael Shields, 65, Mission to Magadan e-news November 2014, The Catholic Parish of the Nativity of
Jesus, Magadan , Russia
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a
cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so
easily beset us, and let us run with patience the
race that is set before us, ( Hebrews 12:1)
Looking
unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that
was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at
the right hand of the throne of God. ( Hebrews 12:2 )
http://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Hebrews-12-2/
Finishing
this Life
We all may have had some bad starts along
the way, but the Christian Gospel says we can make a great finish.
I am turning 65 this month and a lovely
question has come to me: how do I want to finish this life?
While praying about my question I came
across a little saint named the Venerable Matt Talbot (1856-1925) who is a
saint for the addict, the down and outers, and the rest of us who need a little
hope, to keep on the path home.
Talbot was an Irishman who was a chronic
alcoholic, but was able to find sobriety for 41 years through devotion to the
Eucharist, prayer, self-discipline and spiritual direction.
He truly lived the 12 step program before
it was discovered.
There is one story about Talbot that I
absolutely love.
At the height of his alcoholism he stole a
fiddle from a blind musician in order to buy more beer at the local tavern.
During his sobriety he set out to repay the
blind man for the pain he had caused, and after searching for seven years he
was unable to locate the man, and instead gave the money to a priest so that
the priest would pray for the man’s soul.
The Venerable Matt Talbot was a simple man
who started badly, but finished a saint.
This leads me back to the original question:
How do I want to finish this life?
I stand before the Lord asking the Lord to show
me how to finish this life.
The Venerable Matt Talbot’s simple and
spiritual life resonates with me.
I want to take from the pattern of the
Irish monks, as summarized by St. Columbanus, “Pray
daily, fast daily, work daily, study daily.”
I confess, this is the best description of
the life I want to lead as I finish this life.
I find such beauty and a call to run with
Him to the end.
I recall Saint Paul
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so
great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that
clings so closely, and let us with perseverance the race that is set before us,
looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith…(Hebrews 12;1)”
Lord, in our servant, Matt Talbot you have
given us a wonderful example of triumph over addiction, of devotion to duty,
and of lifelong reverence for the Holy Sacrament.
May his life of prayer and penance give us
courage to take up our crosses and follow in the footsteps of Our Lord and
Savior, Jesus Christ.
To the Venerable Matt Talbot: we are
coming, pray for us.
-Fr Michael
https://www.facebook.com/Mission2Magadan
http://www.magadancatholic.org/
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