Monday after Epiphany, Memorial of St. Andre Bessette
“Beloved, do not trust every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they belong to God . . . This is how you can know the Spirit of God: every spirit that acknowledges Jesus Christ come in the flesh belongs to God” (1 Jn 4:1-2)
Our first reading gives an important key for the discernment which leads to adoration: appreciation for God who has come to dwell among us in the flesh. In Jesus’ own day, and throughout the Church’s history, one of the important signs of His taking on every aspect of our nature, both our spiritual and our bodily aspects, is the healing He brings to our whole person. In the Gospel we find the light Jesus came to make manifest being seen in His preaching and in His healing. Part of the humble adoration we offer to such a God who manifests Himself among us is to participate in sharing that divine light with others. Today’s saint, St. Andre Bessette, heroically acknowledged the impact of Jesus’ coming to dwell among us, and humbly participated in Jesus’ mission of healing.
Born in Canada in the 1840’s, St. Andre wanted to join the Congregation of the Holy Cross in his mid-twenties. Because of his poor health, the Congregation did not want to accept him, but at the behest of the bishop finally allowed St. Andre to join and gave him the task of doorkeeper at their college in Montreal. Perhaps because of his own poor health, Brother Andre had a special appreciation for the needs of the sick. When he knew of persons who were ill, he would go to pray with them, and sometimes would rub some oil from the chapel lamp on them. As health began to be restored to those with whom he prayed, St. Andre humbly pointed to the intercession of St. Joseph. Andre was able to see where God was at work through the intercession of the saints, and as he adored God who brought healing to thousands in Montreal, the humble saint helped others to see the manifestation of God as well.
May St. Andre pray for us that we may recognize Jesus’ coming to us, and in our adoration of God, help others to see His manifest love as well.