At twenty-five years old, Saint Porphyry of Gaza, originally a wealthy inhabitant of Thessalonica, embarked on a spiritual journey that led him to the desert of Sceté. For five years, he devoted himself to the monastic life within one of its esteemed religious communities. Yet, an inner calling toward a more secluded existence prompted him to move to Palestine. There, amidst rigorous self-discipline, he endured five years of stringent penance until deteriorating health necessitated a reduction in his ascetic practices. Undeterred by his physical ailments, Porphyry made Jerusalem his home, where he dutifully visited the sacred sites daily, displaying a remarkable indifference to his suffering, as if it afflicted someone else entirely.

During this period, a divine inspiration led him to divest all his possessions, distributing the proceeds among the impoverished. This act of sacrifice was met with a miraculous restoration of his health. In 393, Porphyry was ordained as a priest and entrusted with the guardianship of the relics of the true cross. Three years later, despite his attempts to decline due to his humility, he was unexpectedly consecrated as the Bishop of Gaza through the orchestration of a neighboring bishop and the local Christian community, effectively being coerced into acceptance.

Gaza, a stronghold of paganism at the time, presented Porphyry with a vast field for his evangelical endeavors. Through his efforts, complemented by miraculous occurrences, he succeeded in converting many to Christianity. His mission was further bolstered by an imperial decree, secured with the help of St. John Chrysostom, mandating the demolition of pagan temples.

Confronted with a particularly majestic temple dedicated to the principal deity, Porphyry seized the opportunity to symbolically vanquish paganism by constructing a Christian church atop its ruins. The church’s entrance was notably adorned with marble from the destroyed temple, ensuring that each Christian stepping into the church would symbolically trample over the remnants of idolatry and superstition. Porphyry witnessed the near eradication of idol worship within his diocese and passed away in 420.

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Reading 1 Jonah 3:1-10

The word of the LORD came to Jonah a second time:
“Set out for the great city of Nineveh,
and announce to it the message that I will tell you.”
So Jonah made ready and went to Nineveh,
according to the LORD’s bidding.
Now Nineveh was an enormously large city;
it took three days to go through it.
Jonah began his journey through the city,
and had gone but a single day’s walk announcing,
“Forty days more and Nineveh shall be destroyed,”
when the people of Nineveh believed God;
they proclaimed a fast
and all of them, great and small, put on sackcloth.

When the news reached the king of Nineveh,
he rose from his throne, laid aside his robe,
covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in the ashes.
Then he had this proclaimed throughout Nineveh,
by decree of the king and his nobles:
“Neither man nor beast, neither cattle nor sheep,
shall taste anything;
they shall not eat, nor shall they drink water. 
Man and beast shall be covered with sackcloth and call loudly to God;
every man shall turn from his evil way
and from the violence he has in hand.
Who knows, God may relent and forgive, and withhold his blazing wrath,
so that we shall not perish.”
When God saw by their actions how they turned from their evil way,
he repented of the evil that he had threatened to do to them;
he did not carry it out.
 

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 51:3-4, 12-13, 18-19

R. (19b) A heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.
Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness;
in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense.
Thoroughly wash me from my guilt
and of my sin cleanse me.
R. A heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.
A clean heart create for me, O God,
and a steadfast spirit renew within me.
Cast me not out from your presence,
and your Holy Spirit take not from me. 
R. A heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.
For you are not pleased with sacrifices;
should I offer a burnt offering, you would not accept it.
My sacrifice, O God, is a contrite spirit;
a heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.
R. A heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.
 

Verse Before the Gospel Joel 2:12-13

Even now, says the LORD,
return to me with your whole heart
for I am gracious and merciful.

Gospel Luke 11:29-32

While still more people gathered in the crowd, Jesus said to them,
“This generation is an evil generation;
it seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it,
except the sign of Jonah. 
Just as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites,
so will the Son of Man be to this generation.
At the judgment 
the queen of the south will rise with the men of this generation 
and she will condemn them,
because she came from the ends of the earth
to hear the wisdom of Solomon,
and there is something greater than Solomon here. 
At the judgment the men of Nineveh will arise with this generation
and condemn it,
because at the preaching of Jonah they repented,
and there is something greater than Jonah here.”
 

– – –

Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

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Remember when traffic signs used to mean something? OK, that’s a bit of an exaggeration, but the older I get, the more I think people have come to think that the red octagon with the white “STOP” on it actually means “Slow down, and if something is coming, stop; if not, roll on through.” The “Speed Limit 55” sign, for the 40-some years I have been driving, never really meant “Drive no faster than 55.” At first it was something like 58 or 60; but over the years it became 62, then 63 or 64. Now I think it means “See no police? Then see what you can get away with.”

Today’s readings are about words, but they’re also about signs. Jonah’s words to the Ninevites, “Forty days more and Nineveh shall be destroyed,” are pretty straightforward. Jonah is saying something is wrong, and Nineveh is in trouble because of it. For their part, the Ninevites take those words to heart, and they act upon them. But they also recognize the sign that Jonah is a foreigner preaching the will of God to them. They then display signs of their own: fasting, wearing sackcloth, sitting in ashes, and repenting of their sin and evil. The king’s words are a confession, and he knows Nineveh must turn away from evil and hope in God’s mercy. There was no “let’s see what we can get away with” in his response.

In the Gospel, Jesus reminds the crowd how Jonah was a sign to the Ninevites, and they recognized that sign as being sent from God. Yet what is Jonah’s preaching compared to the sign right before their eyes? Jesus is their stop sign, their speed limit, right there for them to see and easy to interpret. Yet he knows their reaction is “what can we get away with?” Love God with your whole heart, soul, mind, strength. Love your neighbor as yourself. Pick up your cross and follow Jesus. His burden is easy and His yoke is light. 

The greatest sign of all has been shown to us. The message has been sent to us. Repent and believe in the Gospel. We have 40 days of Lent, which might not be 40 days until doomsday like Nineveh had, but our end will one day come. It’s never too late to repent, until it’s too late. Jesus is our sign. May we follow Him this Lent and always, for just like all those road signs out there, He always has our best interest in mind.

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¿Recuerdan cuando las señales de tráfico significaban algo? Bueno, es una pequeña exageración, pero al transcurrir los años, más y más creo que la gente ha llegado a pensar que el octágono rojo con la palabra “STOP” (ALTO) significa en realidad: “Disminuya la velocidad, y si viene algo, deténgase; si no, siga adelante”. La señal de “Speed Limit 55” (Límite de Velocidad), durante más de 40 años que llevo manejando, nunca ha significado realmente: “No manejas a más de 55”. Al principio era algo así como 58 o 60; pero luego se convirtió en 62, luego en 63 o 64. Ahora creo que significa: “¿No hay policía por aca? Entonces voy a ver qué tan rápido puedo ir “.

Las lecturas de hoy se tratan de palabras, pero también de señales. Las palabras de Jonás a los ninivitas: “Dentro de cuarenta días Nínive será destruida”, son bastante directas. Jonás está diciendo que algo anda mal, y que Nínive está en problemas por ello. Por su parte, los ninivitas tomaron esas palabras en serio y las pusieron en práctica. Pero también reconocieron la señal de que Jonás era un extranjero que les predicaba la voluntad de Dios. Entonces mostraron sus propias señales: ayunaron, se vistieron de cilicio, se sentaron en ceniza y se arrepintieron de su pecado y maldad. Las palabras del rey son una confesión, y sabía que Nínive debía alejarse del mal y confiar en la misericordia de Dios. No hubo un “veamos cuánto podemos empujar los límites” en su respuesta.

En el Evangelio, Jesús le recuerda a la multitud cómo Jonás era una señal para los ninivitas, y ellos reconocieron esa señal como enviada por Dios. Sin embargo, ¿qué es la predicación de Jonás comparada con la señal que tenían ante sus ojos? Jesús es su señal de alto, su límite de velocidad, a la vista de todos y fácil de interpretar. Sin embargo, él sabía que su reacción era “¿cómo podemos empujar los límites?” Ama a Dios con todo tu corazón, alma, mente y fuerzas. Ama a tu prójimo como a ti mismo. Toma tu cruz y sigue a Jesús. Su carga es ligera y su yugo ligero.

La mayor señal de todas nos ha sido mostrada. El mensaje nos ha sido enviado. Arrepiéntanse y crean en el Evangelio. Tenemos 40 días de Cuaresma, que quizá no sean 40 días hasta el fin del mundo como los de Nínive, pero nuestro fin llegará algún día. Nunca es tarde para arrepentirse, hasta que sea demasiado tarde. Jesús es nuestra señal. Que lo sigamos esta Cuaresma y siempre, porque, al igual que todas esas señales de tráfico, él siempre tiene en mente nuestro bien mayor.

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Mike Karpus is a regular guy. He grew up in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, graduated from Michigan State University and works as an editor. He is married to a retired Catholic school principal, raised two daughters who became Catholic school teachers at points in their careers, and now relishes his three young grandchildren. He serves on a Catholic school board and has served on pastoral councils, a building committee and a parish stewardship committee. He currently is a lector at Mass, a Knight of Columbus, vice president of a memorial scholarship committee and a board member of the local Habitat for Humanity organization. But mostly he’s a regular guy.

Feature Image Credit: Ray Reyes, unsplash.com/photos/white-and-black-speed-limit-55-sign-pafeEJXTDMI

The views and opinions expressed in the Inspiration Daily blog are solely those of the original authors and contributors. These views and opinions do not necessarily represent those of Diocesan, the Diocesan staff, or other contributors to this blog.

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Saint Ananias, a seminal figure in early Christianity, played a pivotal role in the spiritual awakening of Saul of Tarsus, later known as Saint Paul. Ananias’s story is interwoven with the early Christian community in Damascus, documented by Saint Luke as the first Christian congregation beyond Palestine. This community, possibly predating Antioch’s, emerged merely five to six years after Christ’s ascension, organized around Ananias, a charismatic and devout leader. They were known by various names, including Followers of the Way and Disciples, highlighting their devotion and communal identity.

Ananias stands out as the first named spiritual leader outside Jerusalem in Christian texts, signifying his importance. Described as merciful, reputable, and god-fearing, he is believed to have been among the 72 disciples, a native of Damascus recommended by the Apostles to lead there. His ministry extended to central Syria, underlined by his proficiency in Latin, which was instrumental during Saint Paul’s testimony before Proconsul Felix.

His martyrdom came under the orders of Roman Governor Licianus Mucianus, who condemned Ananias to death by stoning outside Damascus. His grave became a site of memorial, later encompassed by a monastery that medieval Arabic writers frequently mentioned.

Ananias’s most distinguished act was baptizing Saint Paul, following Saul’s transformative vision on the road to Damascus. This baptism not only marked Saul’s conversion but also signified the beginning of Paul’s missionary journey. Ananias, having fulfilled his divine mission, met his martyrdom in Eleutheropolis. His residence was later transformed into a sanctuary and a center of religious veneration. Through his actions, Saint Ananias shaped the early Christian church.

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Reading 1 Isaiah 55:10-11

Thus says the LORD:
Just as from the heavens
the rain and snow come down
And do not return there
till they have watered the earth,
making it fertile and fruitful,
Giving seed to the one who sows
and bread to the one who eats,
So shall my word be
that goes forth from my mouth;
It shall not return to me void,
but shall do my will,
achieving the end for which I sent it.
 

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 34:4-5, 6-7, 16-17, 18-19

R. (18b) From all their distress God rescues the just.
Glorify the LORD with me,
let us together extol his name.
I sought the LORD, and he answered me
and delivered me from all my fears. 
R. From all their distress God rescues the just.
Look to him that you may be radiant with joy,
and your faces may not blush with shame.
When the poor one called out, the LORD heard,
and from all his distress he saved him.
R. From all their distress God rescues the just.
The LORD has eyes for the just,
and ears for their cry.
The LORD confronts the evildoers,
to destroy remembrance of them from the earth.
R. From all their distress God rescues the just.
When the just cry out, the LORD hears them,
and from all their distress he rescues them.
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted;
and those who are crushed in spirit he saves.
R. From all their distress God rescues the just.
 

Verse Before the Gospel Matthew 4:4b

One does not live on bread alone,
but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.
 

Gospel Matthew 6:7-15

Jesus said to his disciples:
“In praying, do not babble like the pagans,
who think that they will be heard because of their many words.
Do not be like them.
Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

“This is how you are to pray:

Our Father who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name,
thy Kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.

“If you forgive men their transgressions,
your heavenly Father will forgive you.
But if you do not forgive men,
neither will your Father forgive your transgressions.”
 

– – –

Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

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One day, while complaining to my dad about how a friend treated me, my dad responded, “Do you pray the Our Father?” I said, “Yes, of course.” He asked, “How does it go?” Thinking my dad had lost some of his mind, I began reciting the prayer Jesus taught us in today’s Gospel reading.  

“Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed by thy name…” When I got to the phrase, “as we forgive those who trespass against us,” My dad told me to repeat that phrase, so I started the sentence over feeling like a child rather than a mother of teens. He stopped me again at the end of that phrase and asked if I believed this prayer Jesus taught in Matthew 6. It took me a few seconds to comprehend what he was saying.  

When we pray the Our Father, we ask God to forgive us like we forgive others. Wow.  I needed that reminder. His frustrating but enlightening scolding caused me to stop and seriously reflect. How many times have I prayed the Our Father without thinking about whether or not I’m living out the words that I profess to believe.

I’d love to tell you that in the years following that exchange, I haven’t had any problems forgiving others, but this conversation with my dad has reoccurred multiple times in the years since. I’ll start complaining, and he says, “What’s that prayer Jesus taught us?”  “Daaadd!” I exclaim like a petulant teenager. 

But I’m now at the point where I hear my dad’s voice in my head, reminding me of those words: “…as we forgive those who trespass against us…” They remind me that God shows me mercy and forgiveness time and time again, and He is calling me to do the same to others. For assistance, I pray, “Lord, when I pray the words of the Our Father, I ask that you help me take them to heart and to live them in my daily life, especially when I find it difficult to forgive others the way you repeatedly forgive me. Amen.”

When you find it difficult to forgive, do the words of the Lord’s Prayer remind you of God’s mercy and forgiveness and that we are called to offer it to others?

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Un día, mientras me quejaba con mi papá sobre cómo me trataba una amiga, mi papá me respondió: “¿Rezas el Padrenuestro?” Le dije, “sí, claro”. Me preguntó, “¿y cómo va?” Pensando que mi papá se había vuelto loco, comencé a recitar la oración que Jesús nos enseñó en el Evangelio de hoy.

“Padre nuestro, que estás en los cielos, santificado sea tu nombre…”. Cuando llegué a la frase “como también nosotros perdonamos a los que nos ofenden”, mi papá me dijo que la repitiera, así que empecé a recitar la frase sintiéndome como una niña en lugar de como una mamá de adolescentes. Me interrumpió de nuevo al final de la frase y me preguntó si creía en esta oración que Jesús nos había enseñado en Mateo 6. Me demoré unos segundos entender lo que me estaba intentando decir.

Cuando rezamos el Padrenuestro, le pedimos a Dios que nos perdone como perdonamos a los demás. ¡Guau! Necesitaba ese recordatorio. Su regaño, frustrante pero esclarecedor, me hizo detenerme y reflexionar seriamente. ¿Cuántas veces he rezado el Padrenuestro sin pensar si estoy viviendo las palabras que profeso creer?

Me encantaría decirles que, en los años posteriores a ese intercambio, no he tenido ningún problema en perdonar a los demás, pero esta conversación con mi papá se ha repetido varias veces desde entonces. Empiezo a quejarme, y me dice: “¿Cuál es esa oración que nos enseñó Jesús?” “¡Papaaaá!”, le exclamo como una adolescente petulante.

Pero ahora escucho la voz de mi papá en mi cabeza, recordándome de esas palabras: “…como también nosotros perdonamos a los que nos ofenden…”. Me recuerdan que Dios me muestra misericordia y perdón una y otra vez, y me llama a hacer lo mismo con los demás. Para pedir ayuda, le pido: “Señor, cuando rezo el Padrenuestro, te pido que me ayudes a tomarlo en serio y a vivirlo en mi vida diaria, especialmente cuando me resulta difícil perdonar a los demás como tú me perdonas repetidamente. Amén”. 

Cuando te resulta difícil perdonar, ¿las palabras del Padrenuestro te recuerdan de la misericordia y el perdón de Dios y que estamos llamados a ofrecerlos a los demás?

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Lisa Henley Jones is a wife, mom, and native Texan. Her life is influenced by her Catholic faith and she shares it through writing and on her podcast, Of Sound Mind and Spirit, together with her sister, Shelly Kelly. For fun, Lisa enjoys reading, walking, dating her husband, and wearing the college colors of her young adult kids.

Feature Image Credit: StockSnap https://pixabay.com/photos/man-woman-couple-dinner-date-2557408/

The views and opinions expressed in the Inspiration Daily blog are solely those of the original authors and contributors. These views and opinions do not necessarily represent those of Diocesan, the Diocesan staff, or other contributors to this blog.

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Born into a noble and pious family on December 1, 1831, in Pagani, Salerno, Italy, Thomas Maria Fusco was the seventh of eight children. His parents, Dr. Antonio Fusco, a pharmacist, and Stella Giordano, instilled in him strong Christian values and compassion for the needy from an early age. Baptized on his birth day at the parish of S. Felice e Corpo di Cristo, young Tommaso faced adversity early on with the death of his mother in 1837 due to cholera, followed by his father’s passing in 1841. His education and upbringing were then overseen by his uncle, Fr Giuseppe, a primary school teacher.

Inspired by the canonization of St. Alphonsus Mary de’ Liguori in 1839, Tommaso aspired towards the priesthood from a young age. He entered the diocesan seminary of Nocera in 1847, where his brother Raffaele had also studied. Tommaso was confirmed in 1851 and ordained a priest on December 22, 1855, by Bishop Agnello Giuseppe D’Auria.

Throughout his life, Tommaso was profoundly influenced by the losses of his loved ones, fostering a deep devotion to the Patient Christ and the Blessed Sorrowful Mother. He dedicated himself to the education and spiritual formation of youth, establishing a morning school in his home and leading evening prayers at his parish church.

In 1857, Fusco joined the Congregation of the Missionaries of Nocera, under the title of St Vincent de Paul, embarking on a mission across Southern Italy. By 1860, he became the chaplain at the Shrine of Our Lady of Carmel in Pagani, enriching the community with Catholic associations, and in 1862, he founded a school of moral theology and the “(Priestly) Society of the Catholic Apostolate” for popular missions, receiving Pope Pius IX’s approval in 1874.

Moved by the plight of an orphan girl, Fusco founded the Congregation of the “Daughters of Charity of the Most Precious Blood” on January 6, 1873, establishing an orphanage for poor girls. His foundation quickly gained the Pope’s blessing.

Fusco’s later years were marked by extensive apostolic work, founding numerous houses and orphanages. Despite facing slander and persecution, he remained steadfast in his faith and dedication to the service of God and the needy, embodying patience and virtue until his death from liver disease on February 24, 1891, at the age of 59.

His life, characterized by indomitable faith, ardent charity, and a tireless dedication to the Redemptive Blood for the salvation of souls, left a lasting impact. Recognized for his heroic Christian virtues, the cause for Tommaso Maria Fusco’s beatification began in 1955, culminating with the recognition of a miraculous healing through his intercession in 1964, leading to his beatification by Pope John Paul II, who hailed him as a model of holiness for priests and the faithful alike.

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Reading 1 Leviticus 19:1-2, 11-18

The LORD said to Moses,
“Speak to the whole assembly of the children of Israel and tell them:
Be holy, for I, the LORD, your God, am holy.

“You shall not steal.
You shall not lie or speak falsely to one another.
You shall not swear falsely by my name,
thus profaning the name of your God.
I am the LORD.

“You shall not defraud or rob your neighbor.
You shall not withhold overnight the wages of your day laborer.
You shall not curse the deaf,
or put a stumbling block in front of the blind,
but you shall fear your God.
I am the LORD.

“You shall not act dishonestly in rendering judgment.
Show neither partiality to the weak nor deference to the mighty,
but judge your fellow men justly.
You shall not go about spreading slander among your kin;
nor shall you stand by idly when your neighbor’s life is at stake.
I am the LORD.

“You shall not bear hatred for your brother in your heart.
Though you may have to reprove him,
do not incur sin because of him.
Take no revenge and cherish no grudge against your fellow countrymen.
You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
I am the LORD.”

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 19:8, 9, 10, 15

R.    (John 6:63b)  Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
The law of the LORD is perfect,
refreshing the soul.
The decree of the LORD is trustworthy,
giving wisdom to the simple.
R.    Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
The precepts of the LORD are right,
rejoicing the heart.
The command of the LORD is clear,
enlightening the eye.
R.    Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
The fear of the LORD is pure,
enduring forever;
The ordinances of the LORD are true,
all of them just.
R.    Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
Let the words of my mouth and the thought of my heart
find favor before you,
O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.
R.    Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.

Verse Before the Gospel 2 Corinthians 6:2b

Behold, now is a very acceptable time;
behold, now is the day of salvation.

Gospel Matthew 25:31-46

Jesus said to his disciples:
“When the Son of Man comes in his glory,
and all the angels with him,
he will sit upon his glorious throne,
and all the nations will be assembled before him.
And he will separate them one from another,
as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.
He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
Then the king will say to those on his right,
‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father.
Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
For I was hungry and you gave me food,
I was thirsty and you gave me drink,
a stranger and you welcomed me,
naked and you clothed me,
ill and you cared for me,
in prison and you visited me.’
Then the righteous will answer him and say,
‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you,
or thirsty and give you drink?
When did we see you a stranger and welcome you,
or naked and clothe you?
When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?’
And the king will say to them in reply,
‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did
for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’
Then he will say to those on his left,
‘Depart from me, you accursed,
into the eternal fire prepared for the Devil and his angels.
For I was hungry and you gave me no food,
I was thirsty and you gave me no drink,
a stranger and you gave me no welcome,
naked and you gave me no clothing,
ill and in prison, and you did not care for me.’
Then they will answer and say,
‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty
or a stranger or naked or ill or in prison,
and not minister to your needs?’
He will answer them, ‘Amen, I say to you,
what you did not do for one of these least ones,
you did not do for me.’
And these will go off to eternal punishment,
but the righteous to eternal life.”

– – –

Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

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Saint Casimir

Saint Casimir

Saint Casimir (1458-1484) was a Polish prince known for his piety, chastity, and devotion, becoming a patron saint of Poland and Lithuania posthumously. The post Saint Casimir appeared first on

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This Gospel is one we have heard many times over. It was one of Mother Theresa’s favorites, as well as so many other saints, popes, holy men and women, and everyday ordinary people. We derive the Corporal Works of Mercy from this list, which Jesus uses as a measure for who will be welcomed into the Kingdom. While I love a good list as much as the next person (and this is absolutely a good and important list), I wonder if we can look a little beyond that list today.

Jesus says to those on the right, “Whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.” The people in this parable were doing good works because they observed a need and took steps to fill it. They did not realize they were serving Jesus through their service to someone in need. In the same way, those on the left did not observe well the needs of those around them and therefore missed the opportunity to love Jesus through their neighbor.

We, the listeners, now have a different starting point than those in the parable. We know we are supposed to act like the ones on the right, but we have a new responsibility to see our neighbor in a different light. In order to enter the Kingdom, Jesus makes it clear that we must see our neighbor as Himself. 

We are surrounded by neighbors – we work with them, walk past them in the grocery store, stand in line with them, make breakfast for them, see them on the news. Each person we encounter is a child of God and presents us with an opportunity to love Jesus in that person. 

Jesus is clear, these works of mercy are essential to our salvation. We have to put our faith into practice in real, practical ways that give preferential option to the poor, lonely, and those in need. But, because of the Gospel today, we have new knowledge that has to be taken into account. These neighbors are not nameless, faceless boxes or tasks to be checked off on a checklist. They are Jesus. When we give, when we serve, when we act with love and mercy, do we recognize Jesus’ face in the person before us?

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Este Evangelio lo hemos escuchado muchas veces. Era uno de los favoritos de la Madre Teresa, así como de tantos otros santos, papas, hombres y mujeres santos, y gente laica. De esta lista derivamos las Obras Corporales de Misericordia, que Jesús utiliza como medida para determinar quién será bienvenido en el Reino. Aunque me encanta una buena lista igual que cualquiera (y esta es sin duda una lista buena e importante), me pregunto si hoy podemos mirar un poco más allá.

Jesús les dice a los de la derecha: “cuando lo hicieron con el más insignificante de mis hermanos, conmigo lo hicieron”. Las personas de esta parábola hacían buenas obras porque percibieron una necesidad y se pusieron manos a la obra para satisfacerla. No se dieron cuenta de que estaban sirviendo a Jesús al servir a alguien necesitado. Del mismo modo, los de la izquierda no observaron bien las necesidades de quienes los rodeaban y, por lo tanto, perdieron la oportunidad de amar a Jesús a través del prójimo.

Nosotros, los oyentes, ahora tenemos un punto de partida diferente al de los de la parábola. Sabemos que debemos actuar como los de la derecha, pero tenemos la nueva responsabilidad de ver al prójimo desde una perspectiva diferente. Para entrar en el Reino, Jesús deja claro que debemos ver al prójimo como a Él mismo.

Estamos rodeados de prójimos: trabajamos con ellos, nos cruzamos con ellos en el supermercado, hacemos cola con ellos, les preparamos el desayuno, los vemos en las noticias. Cada persona que encontramos es un hijo de Dios y nos brinda la oportunidad de amar a Jesús en esa persona.

Jesús lo deja bien claro: estas obras de misericordia son esenciales para nuestra salvación. Debemos poner en práctica nuestra fe de maneras reales y prácticas que den preferencia a los pobres, los solitarios y los necesitados. Pero, gracias al Evangelio de hoy, tenemos un nuevo conocimiento que debemos tomar en cuenta. Estos vecinos no son casillas sin nombre ni rostro, ni tareas que marcar en una lista. Son Jesús. Cuando damos, cuando servimos, cuando actuamos con amor y misericordia, ¿reconocemos el rostro de Jesús en la persona que tenemos enfrente nuestro?

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Kate Taliaferro is an Air Force wife and mother. She is blessed to be able to homeschool, bake bread and fold endless piles of laundry. When not planning a school day, writing a blog post or cooking pasta, Kate can be found curled up with a book or working with some kind of fiber craft. Kate blogs at Faith Through a Focolare Focus and the link is https://katetaliaferro.substack.com.

Feature Image Credit: viarami, pixabay.com/photos/woman-broom-workers-street-cleaner-7494708/

The views and opinions expressed in the Inspiration Daily blog are solely those of the original authors and contributors. These views and opinions do not necessarily represent those of Diocesan, the Diocesan staff, or other contributors to this blog.

Daily Reading

 

Saint of the Day

 

Saint Casimir

Saint Casimir

Saint Casimir (1458-1484) was a Polish prince known for his piety, chastity, and devotion, becoming a patron saint of Poland and Lithuania posthumously. The post Saint Casimir appeared first on

More >

More...

The Word Among Us

Regnum Christi

One Bread, One Body

Evangeli

Living Faith

Saint Polycarp, born around 69 A.D. and dying in 155 A.D., served as the Bishop of Smyrna, present-day Izmir, Turkey. He emerged as a pivotal Christian figure in Roman Asia Minor, bridging the gap between the apostolic traditions and the second-century Church. Despite the scarcity of detailed accounts of his life, Polycarp is celebrated mainly for his profound martyrdom, vividly captured in the Martyrium Polycarpi. Converted to Christianity by St. John the Evangelist around 80 A.D., Polycarp was deeply influenced by his teachings and those who had directly encountered Christ. His appointment as the Bishop of Smyrna around 96 A.D. by the Apostles underscores his significance in the early Church.

Polycarp’s close association with St. Ignatius of Antioch, another key figure in the early Christian era, highlights his critical role in linking the apostolic foundations with the patristic developments, particularly in Christian Asia Minor. His encounter with Ignatius, en route to martyrdom in Rome, is marked by Ignatius’s description of Polycarp being adorned with the “garment of grace.” Polycarp’s staunch defense of Christian orthodoxy against heresies like Marcionism and Valentinianism, coupled with his epistle to the Philippians, underscores his theological depth. His letter is particularly notable for its references to New Testament scriptures, evidencing the early circulation of these texts.

Polycarp’s arrest and subsequent martyrdom in Smyrna followed his return from Rome, where he had been discussing the Easter date with Pope Anicetus. Facing his captors with a serene acceptance of God’s will, Polycarp utilized his final moments to pray for the universal Church. His martyrdom, amidst the raucous atmosphere of the Smyrna stadium, was marked by divine encouragement, as a heavenly voice bolstered his resolve. Confronted by the Roman proconsul, Polycarp’s refusal to renounce his faith or to blaspheme Christ, even under threat of death by fire or beasts, exemplifies his unwavering devotion and courage.

Polycarp’s execution by burning, an attempt thwarted by miraculous intervention as the flames encircled but did not consume him, led to his death by stabbing. The subsequent handling of his body, sought after by both Jews and Christians, and the decision to burn his remains to prevent any form of idolatry, culminates in the veneration of Polycarp’s bones as relics. His legacy, enshrined in the celebration of his heavenly birthday, continues to inspire the faithful, reflecting the enduring impact of his martyrdom and teachings on the Christian tradition.

Editorial credit: hramikona / Shutterstock.com

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The Word Among Us

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