Feb 18th - Jean-François-Régis Clet

Out of the frying pan and into the fire. Some of us live in exciting time, which I understand it - for hobbits and saints - is actually a curse.
Jean-Francois grew up in France and joined the Vincentians there working in various capacities of education and leadership until driven out during the French Revolution. From there he went to China where, after ministering for many years, he was eventually martyred.
Most of us will never leave the comfort of our homes much less be challenged for our lives even once. Jean-Francois shows us though that God leads us into the fray no matter where we are. He seems to have be comfortable in what ever situation God placed him in, even in China where he apparently never really learned the language in the 28 years he labored in that vineyard.
Comfort is an interesting word, in that we can look at it from two perspectives: that of complacency and that of trust. Most of us live lives of complacency, comfortable in being unchallenged. Jean-Francois shows us the other perspective: that of total trust. Not in his own abilities which, while quite impressive, did not rise to comprehensive. He trusted God and therefore was comfortable, no matter how awkward the situation.
Our challenge is to be comfortable in challenging situations; to serve God fully, to the best of our abilities, without fear, without doubt, without question. To trust in His promises and mercy.
Jean-Francois pray for us!

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What a great treasure is a good Missionary and how few people in this world, are willing to serve God and His Church in purity of faith, detachment from creatures and self-abnegation.

-- VIII:367