Date: May 15, 2020 ()

Bible Text: Reading 1: ACTS 15:22-31; Gospel: JN 15:12-17 |

Series:

We are God’s close friends. So, we are all free and welcome to be around His company every day.

Today is the Memorial of St. Isidore, patron of farmers and laborers. Particularly here in the US, he is especially honored also by the United States National Rural Life Conference. Personally, I felt close to the Saint because he is one of the most celebrated saints in my home country. Especially in my home diocese and the nearby dioceses, most of our parishioners are fishermen, if not farmers who venerate with devotion to St. Isidore.

In honor of the Saint, the devotees would express their gratitude to the intercession of St. Isidore by giving to the church a portion of their harvest - rice, corn, vegetables, and fish. These offerings in goods come in handy when the parish welcomes visitors and parishioners from hinterlands on special occasions and parish gatherings. Some of them would also go to charity.

One of the interesting parts of St. Isidore’s life was his devotion to prayer and the Eucharist. Despite his old age and farm work, he began his day with church visitation and prayer. There were occasions when he would arrive late in his workplace for staying in the church too long, and his co-workers sometimes grumbled. But to the landowner’s surprise, Isidore was still able to do his job, well enough that the landowner could not complain. Legend has it, that when Isidore was plowing, the angels were also out in the field helping him. Despite the simplicity and meager resources, he was still able to bring food for the poor.

Jesus in today’s gospels tells us: “I no longer call you slaves…I have called you friends.” In his simple spirituality, St. Isidore understood clearly the message of Jesus. We are God’s close friends. So, we are all free and welcome to be around His company every day. St. Isidore devoutly visited the church every day because he knew Jesus, his friend is there in the Blessed Sacrament.

As we approach the most awaited time of the reopening of our churches today, let us relish in our hearts the presence of Jesus in our midst. Jesus is our friend who is all-present, but in the most tangible and intimate way, He is with us in the Eucharist. From Him, we will learn the greatest commandment that will make us bear fruit: to love one another as He loves us.