Homily (Reflection) for the Memorial
of Saint Francis de Sales, B.D. (24th January, 2017) on the Gospel
and the Memorial
(Tuesday of the Third Week in
Ordinary Time (I))
Heb 10:1-10;
Ps 39:2.4.7-8.10.11. (R. vv.8.9); Mk 3:31-35.
Saint Francis de Sales (21st August, 1567 –
28th December, 1622) was born to a noble family at Chateau de Sales[1].
His father destined him to be a lawyer and strongly opposed his desire to
become a priest. He was later ordained and elected provost of the Diocese of
Geneva. Francis set out to convert Calvinists by preaching and distributing the
little pamphlets he wrote to explain true Catholic doctrine with remarkable
success. He became bishop of Geneva at 35. While administering his diocese he
continued to preach, hear confessions, and catechize the children. His gentle
character was a great asset in winning souls. He practiced his own axiom, “A
spoonful of honey attracts more flies than a barrelful of vinegar.” Besides his
two well-known books, the Introduction to the Devout Life and A
Treatise on the Love of God, he wrote many pamphlets and carried on a
vast correspondence. He addressed his writings to lay people to make them
understand that they too are called to be saints. He collaborated with Saint
Jane Frances de Chantal in establishing the Sisters of the Visitation. Saint
Francis de Sales is the patron of the Catholic Press[2].
Topic: The Relations of Jesus.
When Jesus was told in today’s gospel that His mother and His
brothers were standing outside asking for Him, He queried, “Who are my mother
and my brothers?” After looking at those who sat around Him He concluded, “Here
are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does the will of God is my brother and
sister and mother.”
Many consider a number of things as advantages one can hope
on in the journey towards God. However, Jesus defined in today’s gospel true
relatives of His as those who do the will of God.
Saint Paul wrote to his son, “All scripture is inspired by
God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training
in righteousness, so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient,
equipped for every good work” (2Tim
3:16-17).
Saint James exhorts all,
...be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive
themselves. For if any are hearers of the word and not doers, they are like
those who look at themselves in a mirror; for they look at themselves and, on
going away, immediately forget what they were like (Jas 1:22-24).
Those who do the word of God shall be blessed in their doing,
cf. Jas 1:25. Whoever does right is
righteous, cf. 1Jn 3:7. It is by doing
right that one can put to silence the ignorance of foolish, cf. 1Pt 2:15. Saint Francis the Sales we
celebrate taught us that holiness is for everyone who does the will of God
irrespective of one’s vocation.
Bible Reading: Jas 1:19-27; 1Jn 2:29–3:10.
Thought for today: Are you truly Jesus’ brother and sister and
mother?
Let us pray: Lord, give us the grace to become
your Son’s brother and sister and mother – Amen.
Saint Francis de Sales – Pray for us.
You are free to share this reflection
with others if you consider it worthy.
For more homilies (reflections):
Join our WhatsApp Group via: +234 810
298 6313
To Contact
and/or to support this ministry:
Tel: +234 813 305 0302
+234 905
655 4466
May God bless you all+
Post a Comment
Post a Comment