On St. Josemaria Escriva, founder of Opus Dei

Two things we can offer for reflection on the Feast of St. Jose Maria Escriva. First, why is it that the feast of St. Jose Maria Escriva, June 26 and St. Peter, June 29 are so close to each other? It is because St. Jose Maria Escriva was a staunch defender of the Pope. He was a faithful lover of the Pope and of the Church.

Second, unlike other feasts which have choices, there is only one Gospel reading in the liturgy on the feast of St. Jose Maria Escriva. Why? The gospel is all about the catch of fish. Peter and the rest of the fishermen disciples of Jesus were experts, so to say in their field. But they caught nothing all night long. When Jesus told them to lower down their nets, they said: “if you say so”. Then they caught more than expected.

In our daily work, as we try to make our life holy, we cannot rely 100% on ourselves. Our part is only 50% of the story. We need the other half from God himself. In our pursuit for holiness, God must be there. Left alone by ourselves, we cannot make it. Our expertise is incomplete without him. We need him for us to be perfect.