Today I remember the life of a saint who gives us a wonderful example of the teaching of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew 22:34-40. The Pharisees ask Jesus, '' Master, what is the greatest commandment of the Law?'' Jesus answers, ''You must love the Lord your God with your whole Heart, with all your soul and with all your mind. The second resembles it; you must love your neighbor as yourself.''
St. Rose of Lima combined both these commandments in such a wonderful way that she is much loved and venerated in Peru, all of Latin America, the Philippines and many other countries. She was born of a noble family in 1586. They wanted her to marry but she was determined to live a life of severe penance. She slept for only two hours a night so that she could spend hours in prayer and in her work of fine embroidery, lace making and growing flowers, all of which she sold in order to care for the poorest of Lima. She built a little hut in backyard of her father's house as her hermitage, and she would bring sick people there to care for them. She lived in this way for eleven years before she died aged 31. She is the patron of embroiderers, florists and gardeners.
Saint Rose of Lima, help us follow your example in our small way as we try to live a life as united in prayer, work and care for suffering neighbors as your life was.