Memorial of Saint Pius X, PP., (21st August, 2020)

Homily (Reflection) for the Memorial of Saint Pius X, PP., (21st August, 2020) on the Gospel and the Memorial Ezek 37:1-14; Ps 106:2-9. (R. v. 1); Matt 22:34-40. Pope Saint Pius X (2nd June, 1835 – 20th August, 1914) was born Giuseppe Melchiorre Sarto at Riese and became Pope in August 1903. His most important reform was to order the codification of the first Code of Canon Law. He was particularly devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Pius X was the only pope in the 20th century with extensive pastoral experience and implementation at the parish level, which led him to favour the use of the vernacular language in teaching catechesis, while the encouragement for frequent reception of Holy Communion became a lasting innovation of his papacy. He vehemently opposed modernism, which claimed that Roman Catholic dogma should be modernized and blended with nineteenth-century philosophies. Pius X viewed modernism as an import of secular errors affecting three areas of Roman Catholic belief namely, theology, philosophy, and dogma. He combined within himself a strong sense of compassion, benevolence and poverty, but also stubbornness and a certain stiffness. He was the only pope in the 20th century who gave Sunday homilies in the pulpit every week. He was canonized on 29 May 1954. Topic: Not just the greatest. The Pharisees gathered and one of them, a lawyer asked Jesus, “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” He replied citing two scriptural passages, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it. ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself’ cf. Deut 6:5; Lev 19:18. The concept of love many have seems to be very far from what Jesus demands. Although the word (love) often comes out of many mouths yet hatred keeps escalating. And we always have thousands of reasons why we do not love others as Jesus commanded. Jesus asks us to love others as He loves us, cf. Jn 13:34. 15:12. Because of His love for us, He died for us while we were still sinners, (cf. Rom 5:8), ate from the same bowl with a traitor, (cf. Matt 26:23; Mk 14:18), and even washed his feet, cf. Jn 13:5-12. Jesus set these as examples for us to follow, cf. Jn 13:15. Love therefore is not just the greatest of all the commandments but also the hardest. It is unconditional and can only be found in God who is love, cf. 1Jn 4:8, 16. The best one can find elsewhere are just reflections of love. Although true love is truly the hardest of all the commandments, with God it is possible, cf. Lk 18:27. Whoever wants to truly love must do so in God just like Saint Pius X did. Bible Reading: Rom 5:6-8, 31-39. Thought for today: God is love (1Jn 4:16). Let us pray: May God who is love transform us into loving beings – Amen. Saint Pius X – Pray for us. You are free to share this reflection with others if you consider it worthy. For more homilies (reflections): Visit our website: www.thepulpitonline.com Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/thepulpitonline Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/thepulpitonline Join our WhatsApp Group via: +234 810 298 6313 Send us Email: thepulpitonline@gmail.com To Contact and/or to support this ministry: Tel: +234 813 305 0302 Email: thepulpitonline@gmail.com May God bless you all+