Be careful: the promise of reaching the place of rest that God had for the Israelites still holds good, and none of you must think that he has come too late for it.
It is never too late!
When my wife, Anna, and I were first married we were in our 50’s. We both volunteered at Church and Anna’s job was that of a Parish Nurse (aka Faith Community Nurse). She would hold a blood pressure and wellness clinic after daily Mass. Anna said it was the best job she ever had as a nurse. She loved the pay which was a hug.
One day an older man in his 70’s came into her office and his blood pressure and vital signs were so bad that she almost wanted to call the paramedics right there. The man went to the emergency room, and they told him that if he hadn’t come into the hospital, as soon as, he did that he would have died. The doctors did their magic and the man overcame his medical problem.
The man spread the good news that he had averted death because of Anna’s warning. But his story doesn’t end there. At the time he was dating another 70-year-old lady who started out as friends but grew to a more romantic relationship. He had a medical scare but also a second chance. The man and his girlfriend decided that even thought they had lost spouses that it was not too late for them to get married, and they did. One of the things that they had decided was when you are older you still have a second chance at happiness. The two of them decided that every year of marriage would be as if they had lived five years. Five years later they celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary. Isn’t young love great?
In your life and in mine we have had many second chances and to be honest I have had a thousand “second chances” to overcome temptation. Saint Antony, our saint of the day, also overcame them. We too have an opportunity, thanks to the Sacrament of Reconciliation to receive the state of Grace. Still, we have to ask for it and then we have to move and receive the Sacrament on a regular basis.
Our souls and our bodies need a regular checkup. It is not too late for a second chance.
God Love You Always
Bob Burford
PS: Please Pray for Cancer victims and their caregivers. Pray for the conversion of Russia and the salvation of the Ukrainian and Russian people and their soldiers. Pray for the Holy Land. Pray for peace!
PSS: On Monday, January 20th, the United States gets a new President. He will be inaugurated, and we need to pray for justice and peace in his administration.
