I have enjoyed reading about Mother Cabrini and her relationship with Pope Leo XIII. They were both great heroes of the church. On one occasion, Mother Cabrini was sharing about her many endeavors and the Pope said to her…”work Cabrini, work.”  Woooo, no “dilly dally” with them…there was much work to be done for the sake of the gospel and they must be at work. 

St. Frances Xavier Cabrini  founded the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart in 1880… she sailed with a small group of sisters for the United States in 1889 and worked among the neglected Italian immigrants. Although plagued by ill health, Mother Cabrini established 67 houses throughout the U.S., South America, and Europe, and also founded several schools, hospitals, and orphanages throughout the U.S. She really worked!

We are all called to “work” for the Lord during our time on earth… the time of rest will be our “eternal rest”. I remember our good friend Fr. Carrol telling us back in 2010. “ More is expected”.  It’s not time to rest on your laurels, more is expected. 

I’ve read and underlined many times a passage from Sirach 51:30 that says, “ work at your task in due season and in his own time, God will give you your reward.”

We all remember the parable of the rich man…… ”I will say to my soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; take your ease, eat, drink, be merry. But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you….” (Luke 12:19-21)

“Resting on your laurels, building bigger barns, it’s time to eat, drink, and be merry, relax you deserve a break, bla, bla, bla ” … are all “recipes for disaster”. This life on earth is temporary and is a preparation for the next life, which is eternal. The fight is to the end… no stopping on the 5 yard line or quitting with 2 minutes left in the game. “Therefore, my beloved …. work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for God is at work in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” (Phil. 2:12-13)

By God’s grace, we may accomplish more for the Lord and his kingdom in the last 10% of our life, than we did in the first 90%…so, we need to keep going. We can’t save up our time…we must use it as it comes…each moment. 

So, I’m really speaking to myself… “Dave, use each moment that the Lord gives you…use every resource that he has entrusted to you…use it for his purposes… it’s not time to put your feet up … keep  going… be quick to repent when you fall….be quick to forgive when you’re offended. “Work Cabrini, work”….”Work, Dave, work”.