During the October recollection, we focus on the universal call to holiness in and through ordinary work. This constitutes the core message of Opus Dei, which celebrates its anniversary on October 2nd.
1. The divine paths of the world have been opened up (Christ is passing by, 21). How do I find God in the reality of every day — in my family, work, rest, social relationships?
2. Do I pray to St Josemaría, "the saint of the ordinary" (St John Paul II), asking him to help me raise my eyes to Christ, so that he can give me the help and grace I need now?
3. God chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him (Eph 1:4). What am I doing so that, through my example, I can spread the adventure of the universal call to holiness to my family, friends and neighbors?
4. Do I consider myself an instrument in God's hands to work miracles in today's world? Are the ordinary circumstances of each day an opportunity for me to serve and to love?
5. Behold, I send an angel before you, to guard you on the way, and to bring you to the place I have prepared (Ex 23:20). Do I treat my guardian angel trustingly? Do I ask him to help me in my day-to-day activities? In which of my needs could I ask him for aid?
6. The angel came to her and said, "Rejoice, full of grace, the Lord is with you!" (Lk 1:28). Do I ask the Lord to help my family and my friends' families to build bright and cheerful homes?
7. Do I seek places and activities which allow my family to enjoy a restful atmosphere and which also make our dealings with God easier? Do I promote healthy ways of having fun for my family and the families of my friends?
8. How frankly you laughed when I advised you to put the years of your youth under the protection of Saint Raphael!: "So that he'll lead you to a holy marriage, as he did with young Tobias, with a woman who is good and pretty — and rich," I told you, jokingly (The Way, 360). Do I place my children and my children's friends under the protection of the archangel Raphael, so that each one may discover the path that God is calling them to follow? Do I try to accompany them with my prayer and my affection?