We sometimes are envious of someone’s life because we see their travels, their fun, their — things we wish we had or were doing. This has been a large problem with TV and now even more with facebook. People show their good sides, their golden life, their greener pasture but no one ever tells you how much manure it took to make that pasture greener. I know your life has not been easy but looking at your travels and the opportunity you have had in your life has made my normal life mundane. But then I realize what you have missed, your sisters and brothers’ weddings, your nieces and nephews’ births, and now with this post you made me realize that you missed your family’s losses. So, people should realize that one does not become a missionary for the travel, the friends, the quiet time, the housing, etc. When one decides a missionary life, a priest, a nun, one must know that they will be giving up things that Jesus asked his apostles to give up — their life as they know it and their family and friends — to follow him to places and things that he only knows. They must put their full faith and life in his hands. This is no different than when we, non-missionaries – regular folk, give our lives to follow a devoted Christian life style. We give our lives to him, blind, unsure what is ahead for us. The difference between your life and ours is that we can enjoy our family events. So, thank you for posting even the sad things, like having to miss your grandfather’s burial. I know God sent you to his son’s tomb that day for you to find the meaning behind his mission for you. Keep up the great work.
Brother Anthony, we just talked about my above response. I cannot believe it has been two weeks since you left us and went to heaven to see the face of God. Your mission of getting the Lord’s Word out to save us is being heard. Your unexpected passing or going home to the Lord Jesus has caught everyone off guard. You were so young, so full of life, so wise and spiritual, so inspirational — I could go on and so many of the people your blogs impacted have written it so much better than I can; telling everyone how you have impacted so many — called them to the word of the Lord. My priest said that the timing of your passing was so perfect. I really had to think about how many lives your passing has touched. The fact that you just published your book, your blog/facebook is very popular, you were chosen by God to carry the Crucifix at the Easter Sunday Mass presided by Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square, and then you joined God in Heaven. All these things just did not happen; it was God’s and your agreement – maybe You did not know this agreement. You were chosen to be a vessel of God’s word and with all these things coming together — You and God got the Word out. Your dying just after being part of the Easter Sunday Mass and being young has been all over the news and more people are visiting Your websites and blogs, buying your book, etc. What away to get God’s word out. You will be heard, looked at, your words heard and read, and remembered by so many outside your friends and your family for a long, long time. By the way your book “One Step Closer:40 Doses of Meditation…”, is really easy to read, not only for the young, not only for the Catholics or Christians, many have said they have enjoyed and like others have said it has lead me to revisit things. We were Blessed, and I know you are in Heaven and excited that your word is being spread and is touching so many people. That was your mission and goal – to get God’s word out. Thank you, Brother Anthony, you were a good nephew, a great leader, and a Fantastic Christian. You would have been a great Priest, but you accomplished so much in such little time here on Earth. You assisted us while you were here on Earth, I can only imagine what you will do for us now that you are in Heaven. I love you. Thank you, God, for allowing Anthony to spend time with us. You are my spiritual Hero!
We sometimes are envious of someone’s life because we see their travels, their fun, their — things we wish we had or were doing. This has been a large problem with TV and now even more with facebook. People show their good sides, their golden life, their greener pasture but no one ever tells you how much manure it took to make that pasture greener. I know your life has not been easy but looking at your travels and the opportunity you have had in your life has made my normal life mundane. But then I realize what you have missed, your sisters and brothers’ weddings, your nieces and nephews’ births, and now with this post you made me realize that you missed your family’s losses. So, people should realize that one does not become a missionary for the travel, the friends, the quiet time, the housing, etc. When one decides a missionary life, a priest, a nun, one must know that they will be giving up things that Jesus asked his apostles to give up — their life as they know it and their family and friends — to follow him to places and things that he only knows. They must put their full faith and life in his hands. This is no different than when we, non-missionaries – regular folk, give our lives to follow a devoted Christian life style. We give our lives to him, blind, unsure what is ahead for us. The difference between your life and ours is that we can enjoy our family events. So, thank you for posting even the sad things, like having to miss your grandfather’s burial. I know God sent you to his son’s tomb that day for you to find the meaning behind his mission for you. Keep up the great work.
Brother Anthony, we just talked about my above response. I cannot believe it has been two weeks since you left us and went to heaven to see the face of God. Your mission of getting the Lord’s Word out to save us is being heard. Your unexpected passing or going home to the Lord Jesus has caught everyone off guard. You were so young, so full of life, so wise and spiritual, so inspirational — I could go on and so many of the people your blogs impacted have written it so much better than I can; telling everyone how you have impacted so many — called them to the word of the Lord. My priest said that the timing of your passing was so perfect. I really had to think about how many lives your passing has touched. The fact that you just published your book, your blog/facebook is very popular, you were chosen by God to carry the Crucifix at the Easter Sunday Mass presided by Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square, and then you joined God in Heaven. All these things just did not happen; it was God’s and your agreement – maybe You did not know this agreement. You were chosen to be a vessel of God’s word and with all these things coming together — You and God got the Word out. Your dying just after being part of the Easter Sunday Mass and being young has been all over the news and more people are visiting Your websites and blogs, buying your book, etc. What away to get God’s word out. You will be heard, looked at, your words heard and read, and remembered by so many outside your friends and your family for a long, long time. By the way your book “One Step Closer:40 Doses of Meditation…”, is really easy to read, not only for the young, not only for the Catholics or Christians, many have said they have enjoyed and like others have said it has lead me to revisit things. We were Blessed, and I know you are in Heaven and excited that your word is being spread and is touching so many people. That was your mission and goal – to get God’s word out. Thank you, Brother Anthony, you were a good nephew, a great leader, and a Fantastic Christian. You would have been a great Priest, but you accomplished so much in such little time here on Earth. You assisted us while you were here on Earth, I can only imagine what you will do for us now that you are in Heaven. I love you. Thank you, God, for allowing Anthony to spend time with us. You are my spiritual Hero!