What does it mean to "leave all and follow the Lord"?

What does it mean to "leave all and follow the Lord"?

   Bede the Venerable (673-735 AD), an Anglo-Saxon monk who wrote
numerous commentaries on the Scriptures, explains what it meant for
Matthew and for us to "follow" as disciples of the Lord Jesus:
    "By 'follow' he meant not so much the movement of feet as of the
heart, the carrying out of a way of life. For one who says that he
lives in Christ ought himself to walk just as he walked, not to aim at
earthly things, not to pursue perishable gains, but to flee base
praise, to embrace willingly the contempt of all that is worldly for
the sake of heavenly glory, to do good to all, to inflict injuries
upon no one in bitterness, to suffer patiently those injuries that
come to oneself, to ask God’s forgiveness for those who oppress, never
to seek one's own glory but always God's, and to uphold whatever helps
one love heavenly things. This is what is meant by following Christ.
In this way, disregarding earthly gains, Matthew attached himself to
the band of followers of One who had no riches. For the Lord himself,
who outwardly called Matthew by a word, inwardly bestowed upon him the
gift of an invisible impulse so that he was able to follow."
Are you ready to forsake all for the Lord Jesus Christ?

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September 22nd - Bl. Maurice Belvisotti, Capuchin Priest
Also known as Ignazio da Santhia, Lawrence Belvisotti, Ignatius of Santhià

Father Maurice Belvisotti, 24, was ordained a priest of the Diocese of
Vercelli in 1710, and after six years of excellent service he was
offered responsible positions. Father Belvisotti felt that the Good
Lord had other things in mind for him so after much prayer and
consideration he declined the offers and applied to the Provincial of
the Capuchins of Turin to be accepted as a Novice.

During his year as a Novice, (May 24 1716 to May 24 1717) Ignatius,
(his new religious name) asked for and received no exemptions. He was
placed under the tutelage of a young novice who, although almost half
Fr Ignatius' age, set about teaching him in an over zealous manner all
about the Order, the spiritual life and even how to say Mass. Fr
Ignatius accepted this tutoring with humility and perhaps with a bit
of a smile.

Once professed, Fr Ignatius was sent to the convent at Saluzzo and was
given the office of Sacristan. Then after a short stay as Assistant
Novice Master in the Novitiate in Chieri, he was sent to Capuchin Hill
in Turin in 1723. Again he was Sacristan, not an easy job in a convent
with 87 priests and of course no concelebration. In 1731 he was made
Novice Master at Mondovi, here he remained until 1744 when an illness
of the eyes forced him to relinquish the job. Soon, however, he was
well again and even though he was nearly sixty years of age, he
accepted the work of head Chaplain of the forces of the King of
Piedmont who were fighting against the invading Franco-Hispanic
armies. Fr Ignatius was able to win the respect of both friends and
enemies by the sacramental and spiritual care he gave them as well as
the medical care he administered. Once the war ended he returned to
the regular life of Capuchin Hill.

He was then given the task of confessor and religious instructor to
the Lay Brothers; and it was in this work he was able both to increase
and to show his love for the lay brother. His natural appreciation and
love for the lay brother was evident in that he did not think twice
about lending a hand when he saw it was needed and even as guardian he
would do jobs such as questing, which were considered to be
traditionally in the realm of the lay brother.

As Fr Ignatius advanced in years, he gave his time to visiting the
sick and the poor of the city of Turin. Thousands flocked to Capuchin
Hill daily to receive a blessing from him or to hear a consoling word.
His health failing, he prepared for death. The well loved old friar
died a peaceful and gracious death on 22nd of September 1770. He was
aged 84 and had been in the Capuchins for 54 years. He was beatified
by Pope Paul VI on 17th April 1966.


Saint Quote:
He who does not give up prayer cannot possibly continue to offend God
Habitually. Either he will give up prayer, or he will stop sinning.
-- St. Alphonsus Liguori

Bible Quote:
 What is the key verse in Jesus' teaching on the virtue of humility in
Luke 18:9-14?
 "For everyone who raises himself up will be humbled, but anyone who
humbles himself will be raised up." A heart that remains in a state of
grace through the repentance of sins is a humble heart. The Lord
resists the proud and boastful but gives His grace to one who
possesses a contrite and humble heart: Both Sts. Peter and James quote
Proverbs 3:34 concerning the special grace of God which is disposed to
the humble:

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God's eternal quest:

God's eternal quest must be the tracking down of souls. You should join Him
in His quest. Glorious to follow where the Leader goes. You are seeking
lost sheep. You are bringing the good news into places where it has not been
known before. You may not know which soul you will help, but you can leave
all results to God. Just go with Him in His eternal quest for souls. -
--From 24 Hours a Day