Homily (Reflection) for the Memorial
of Saint Elizabeth of Hungary, (17th November, 2018) on the Gospel
and the Memorial
3Jn 5-8;
Ps 111:1-6. (R. v. 1);
Lk 18:1-8.
Saint Elizabeth of Hungary was born in Hungary on 7th
July, 1207 to the Hungarian King Andrew II and Gertrude of Merania. Her father arranged
for her to be married to Ludwig IV of Thuringia, a German nobleman when she was
very young. The marriage was blessed with three children. Ludwig supported all her
religious endeavours. She led an austerely simple life, wore simple clothing,
practiced penance, and devoted herself to works of charity. Elizabeth used her
royal position to advance her mission for charity and also built a hospital that
provided for almost a thousand poor people daily. She joined the Third Order of
St. Francis in 1228 and passed away at the age of 24, on 17th November,
1231 in Marburg, Hesse and was canonized on 27th May, 1235 by Pope
Gregory IX. Saint Elizabeth is the patron saint of bakers, beggars, brides,
charities, death of children, homeless people, hospitals, Sisters of Mercy,
widows.[1]
Topic: No alternative.
Jesus used the parable of the widow and the unjust judge to
instruct His disciples on the need to pray always and not to lose heart. The
unjust judge “who neither feared God nor had respect for people” for a while
refused to grant the widow who also lived in the same city the justice she so
much desired. But the widow never gave up. She continued pleading with the
unjust judge until she got justice.
Have you ever asked yourself why the widow never gave up? The
reason I think is simple. She had no alternative. The reason why many turn
their back on God is because they think that they have alternative/s. Remember that
Saint Peter correctly replied when Jesus asked them if they would leave Him
like others, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life” (Jn 6:68).
Saint Elizabeth of Hungary never saw God as an alternative
hence she neither counted on her maternal nor marital status. We must follow her
footsteps because God is the ultimate and has no alternative. He alone is God, cf. 2Kg 19:19; Ps 86:10; Neh 9:6. And He alone is good, cf. Mk 10:18; Lk 18:19.
Bible Reading: Jn 6:60-69.
Thought for today: God has no alternative.
Let us pray: God, help us to always remember that
without you we can do nothing – Amen.
Saint Elizabeth of Hungary – Pray for
us.
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others if you consider it worthy.
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May
God bless you all+
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