Homily (Reflection) for the Memorial
of Saint Charles Borromeo, B., (04th November, 2019) on the Gospel
and the Memorial
Rom 11:29-36;
Ps 68:30-31.33-34.36-37. (R. v.14);
Lk 14:12-14.
Saint Charles Borromeo (2nd October, 1538 –
3rd November, 1584) dedicated himself to a life of service to the
Church at the age of 12. Life sped up for him after his uncle became Pope Pius
IV on 25th December, 1559. The new pope invited him to Rome and appointed
him a cardinal-deacon that came with the job of assisting and advising the pope.
He was made a cardinal a month later. His appointment as the administrator of
the Archdiocese of Milan in 1560 helped him decide that the Lord was calling
him to the priesthood. Against the urge to preserve the family name after the
death of his brother in 1562, he was ordained a priest on 4th September,
1563, consecrated a bishop on 7th December, 1563, and became the
Archbishop of Milan on 12th May, 1564. He provided education to many
clergy he saw as ignorant as a way of reforming the church, and also founded
schools and seminaries, and stopped the selling of indulgences. Charles
Borromeo went deep into debt feeding the starving people when famine struck
Milan in 1576. Pope Paul V beatified him on 12th May, 1602, and also
canonized him on 1st November, 1610. He is the patron saint of
bishops, catechists, Lombardy, Italy, Monterey, California, cardinals,
seminarians, spiritual leaders, and Sao Carlos in Brazil.[1]
Topic: Place of reward.
Jesus admonished His host today in these words,
When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your
friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbours, in case they may
invite you in return, and you would be repaid. But ... invite the poor, the
crippled, the lame, and the blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot
repay you, for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.
This challenges all of us because while doing charitable works,
many target either those they think who will know the value or those who will
value such works. Whatever we do for others are really done not for them but
for their creator, cf. Matt 25:40,45.
The book of Proverbs reads, “Whoever is kind to the poor
lends to the LORD, and will be repaid in full” (Prov 19:17). Being poor cannot be limited to deficient in material
things but also in knowledge. That one does not value the good thing done for
him/her should not worry us.
Let us go about doing good to both those who know the value
and those who do not. We ought to be certain of the fact that God will
certainly reward everyone for every deed, cf. Is 62:11. Saint Charles Borromeo we celebrate today went about doing
good. He did not only use his own fortune but also went into debts to feed the
hungry. We must remember always that we shall give account to God.
Bible Readings: Matt 25:31-46.
Thought for today: God will reward every person for everything.
Let us pray: May the good Lord give us the grace
to go about doing good for all – Amen.
Saint Charles Borromeo – 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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