Homily (Reflection) for the Memorial
of Saint Anthony of Padua, P.D., (13th June, 2018) on the Gospel and
the Memorial
(Wednesday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary
Time (II))
1Kg 18:20-39;
Ps 15:1-2.4-5.8.11. (R. v. 1);
Matt 5:17-19.
Saint Anthony of Padua was born Fernando Martins into
a wealthy family in Lisbon, Portugal on August 15, 1195. At the age of fifteen,
he was sent to the Abbey of Santa Cruz in Coimbra, the then capital of Portugal
where he learned theology and Latin, and was ordained a priest. He later joined
the Franciscan Order and changed his name to Anthony. Saint Francis of Assisi saw
in him a friend and entrusted his friars' pursuits of studies to him in 1224.
His teaching was simple and resounding. He died at the age of 36 on June 13,
1231, at Padua and was canonized less than a year afterwards by Pope Gregory
IX. Pope Pius XII declared him a Doctor of the Church in 1946. He is commonly
referred to as the “finder of lost articles.”[1]
Topic: Towards only one.
In the Jewish culture, another name for Scripture (the Old
Testament) is the law and the prophets. Jesus said in today’s gospel,
Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the
prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfil. For truly I tell you, until
heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter, will
pass from the law until all is accomplished.
God who gave the Law through Moses and the prophecies through
the prophets is same who spoke in the gospel. As a result, Jesus came not to
destroy but to make whole (fulfil), cf. Acts
3:18; Lk 24:44. We read from Saint Paul, “All scripture is inspired by God
and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in
righteousness” (2Tim 3:16).
In our country today just like in other parts of the world, the
number one agenda of most of those in power is to condemn every other person, especially
their predecessors. Probably, they think that by doing so they will deceive the
people for ever.
Just as the same God spoke through the Law and the prophets
is the God we listen to in the gospels, it is the same God who made us all. He
has His purposes for each of us and also fulfils them, cf. Ps 138:8. 57:2. And He makes out the best out of everything for
those who love him, cf. Rom 8:28. How
do you show your authority – condemnation/destruction or making things better
(fulfil)? Remember, both the things we better and those we destroy are done
towards one God. Saint Anthony we celebrate made things better.
Bible Reading: 1Cor 10:23-33.
Thought for today: Fulfil and do not destroy others.
Let us pray: Lord, help us make others better and
never destroy them – Amen.
Saint Anthony of Padua – Pray for us.
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others if you consider it worthy.
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