Friday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Intention: For God’s blessing on this week’s Lasallian Student Leaders, Johnston Institute, and Kitson Institute gatherings.
Today’s Gospel | Matthew 12:1-8
Jesus was going through a field of grain on the sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick the heads of grain and eat them. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to him, “See, your disciples are doing what is unlawful to do on the sabbath.” He said to them, “Have you not read what David did when he and his companions were hungry, how he went into the house of God and ate the bread of offering, which neither he nor his companions but only the priests could lawfully eat? Or have you not read in the law that on the Sabbath the priests serving in the temple violate the Sabbath and are innocent? I say to you, something greater than the temple is here. If you knew what this meant, I desire mercy, not sacrifice, you would not have condemned these innocent men. For the Son of Man is Lord of the sabbath.”
From the Meditation on Saint Bonaventure | Saint John Baptist de La Salle
Poverty deserves little esteem unless it is accompanied by humility. Accordingly, Saint Bonaventure tried especially to acquire this virtue. No sooner had he entered the novitiate than his greatest pleasure was to sweep the house, wash the pots, and devote himself to the lowliest chores in the monastery.
This same virtue led him to refuse the archbishopric of York in England and made it necessary for the Pope to give him a specific order to accept the position of Minister General of his order. In this work, in spite of its exalted character, he behaved with such great simplicity that he could be distinguished in nothing from the other religious. Similarly, when chosen to be a cardinal, he lived without any ostentation and in the practice of religious humility.
In return God rewarded him with the wisdom of the Holy Spirit, by whom he was singularly favored. The more humble you are, the more graces you will receive. This is one virtue you need very much in your state.
Prayer
Eternal Father, Jesus taught his disciples the difference between doing right to serve themselves and doing right to serve you. Give to us today clear minds and open hearts to live this teaching in our own lives. Bless us with the quiet humility to know why you made us. May we serve one another through the gifts that you have given us, using them to accomplish your will for your children, especially the young and the poor. Help us to never harden our hearts to your presence or to the miracle of your love at work among us. We ask this of you who lives and reigns with your Son and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen.