Daily Devotion

“The Italian Franciscan Gabriele Allegra (1907–1976) came to China in 1931, resolved to translate the whole Bible into Chinese. In 1945 he founded the Studium Biblicum Franciscanum in Beijing, which moved to Hong Kong in 1948; at the end of 1968 the first one-volume Chinese Catholic Bible was printed. In his last years he suffered severely from heart trouble and high blood pressure; though rest in Italy was recommended, he chose to return to the Studium in Hong Kong and work to the end. He died in Hong Kong on 26 January 1976 and was beatified in 2012.”

Wikipedia · Wikipedia, "Gabriele Allegra"

Scripture

2 Corinthians 5:6-8 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that while we dwell in the body we are separated from the Lord. For we walk by faith, not by our eyes. Our confidence comes from our desire to leave the body and dwell with the Lord.

Reflection

Gravely ill in his last years, Father Allegra still chose to return to Hong Kong and give his remaining strength to translating the Bible until he rested in the Lord, a serenity stemming from his unconditional longing for God. In contrast, we often suffer anxiety due to physical weakness or worldly gains and losses. Paul reminds us that living in the flesh is to distance ourselves from the Lord, while leaving the flesh is to dwell with Him. The ultimate bliss of faith is not earthly freedom from sickness and calamity, but the day we can rest peacefully in the Father's embrace. Today, let us set aside our attachment to the long journey of worldly life and turn our gaze to the door leading to eternity and true life, living out the hope of returning home during our sojourn.