St. Romuald was an 11th century monk – who, even though he lived a simple and unassuming life – was nonetheless an inspiration for many and an instrument in the reformation of monastic life in his day. He was born in Ravenna, Italy and embraced a hermit's life; and for many years traveled through various lands seeking solitude and establishing monasteries while directing himself to a life of perfection by the practice of virtues.
The readings today for Mass are particularly suited to a celebration of Romuald's life. Just as St. Paul tells the Philippians in the first reading that the only important thing to him was getting to know Jesus, the Lord, as best he possibly could – considering everything else as rubbish – so was this also the primary occupation of Romuald. When one lives a life as completely and perfectly as one can in the Lord Jesus, there is every reason to have hope in each and every situation as it comes along – no matter whether it is a positive or negative circumstance: the power of the resurrection is always there to make everything turn out best – for those who love God and trust him unfailingly.
Paul, Romuald and we ourselves are called to strain forward to reach the goal of everlasting life – the prize offered by association and imitation of the life of Christ Jesus the Lord.
This life in Christ, however, as the gospel passage tells us - to be really and truly effective and all that it can be - is a matter of absolute and total commitment: anything less will produce partial, ineffectual and faulty results. And so in the reasoning set out today by Jesus, he says, make sure you really want to commit to this life – or else you will not only be made fun of by others on an earthly plane, but you will be embarrassed before God himself – like the person, who, in building a house, totally miscalculates the resources needed and doesn't have enough to finish the project; or the king who miscalculates how many soldiers he will need to win a military campaign.
And so Jesus says IF YOU REALLY WANT TO BE MY DISCIPLE – if you really want me to possess you completely – then you have to make room for me – and for this operation to work correctly I will have to fill ALL OF YOU – therefore taking the place of honor that you might give father, mother, wife, children, brothers, sisters, even yourself. THIS IS YOUR SHARE IN MY CROSS – this making complete room for me. And if you carry your cross willingly and generously, as I did mine – then your reward will be great both here in this lifetime and in the kingdom to come – you will have an abundant share in my resurrection!
And you will find peace – the peace that you and everyone are searching for! This is God's will for you – being a disciple of his Son; and in his will is found peace!
In you, Lord, we have found our peace!
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