PODCAST | St. Josemaria’s Message on Work
On June 26th, the Church celebrates the feast of St. Josemaria Escriva. In this reflection, Fr. Peter Armenio explains why the Holy Spirit moved the Church to canonize St. Josemaria so quickly. The reason, he suggests, is because “the Church wants us to encounter Jesus amid work” following Jesus’s own example.
“Jesus’ thirty-three years!…: thirty were spent in silence and obscurity; in submission and work…” (St. Josemaria Escriva; Furrow, no. 485).
“God is self-giving love…and he manifests it in work and in family relations and friendships.” So we should ask ourselves: “how do I elevate my love for Christ in my work?” Fr. Peter explains that the key to encountering Christ in our work is mental prayer— spending exclusive time with our Lord each day in conversation with Him. In this way, our ultimate aim becomes to give glory to God and to serve the needs of others.
Rev. Peter Armenio
Rev. Peter V. Armenio was ordained a priest of the Prelature of Opus Dei in 1980. He is the author of several books published by Midwest Theological Forum, including Highlights of the Catholic Faith. He also served as President of the St. Josemaria Institute from 2006 to 2012. He has been working in campus ministry for the past 30 years and also preaches recollections and gives spiritual direction in Chicago.
