Memorial of Saint Philip Neri, P.

Homily (Reflection) for the Memorial of Saint Philip Neri, P. (26^th May, 2021) on the Gospel and the Memorial

Sir 36:1.4-5.10-17;

Ps 78:8-9.11.13. (R. Sir 36:1);

Mk 10:32-45.

Saint Philip Neri was born in Florence in the year 1515. He abandoned the chance to become a businessman and moved to Rome where he devoted his life and individuality to God. Philip Neri was ordained a priest at the urging of his confessor and soon became an outstanding confessor, gifted with the knack of piercing the pretences and illusions of others. He founded a religious institute, the Oratory. His characteristic virtues were humility and gaiety. Philip Neri was a sign of contradiction, combining popularity with piety against the background of a corrupt Rome and a disinterested clergy, the whole post-Renaissance malaise. He died in the year 1595.[1]

Topic: Focus on the point.

Today’s gospel is made up of two sections: Jesus’ prophecy on His death and resurrection (Mk 10:32-34) and the request of James and John (Mk 10:35-45).

Christ knew that cross would be really scandalous if not properly understood, cf. 1Cor 1:23; Gal 5:11. To forestall this, He repeatedly told His disciples that it was coming, cf. Jn 13:19.14:29. And in today’s gospel, He made this prophecy the third time. Surprisingly, as He was doing that the apostles were preoccupied with trivial issues.

Consequent upon this, I call on each and every one of us to have a personal reflection on his/her mission especially in the house of God because God will “search the mind and try the heart, to give to every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings” (Jer 17:10; cf. Heb 4:12; Rev 2:23). The letter to the Romans reads,

“To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God's law, indeed it cannot” (Rom 8:6-7).

God understands every plan and thought. And whoever seeks God will find Him but He casts off those who forsake Him, cf. 1Chr 28:9; Prov 11:20.12:8. Let us therefore seek first God’s kingdom and his righteousness (Focus on the point) and every other thing will be given to us as well just like Saint Philip Neri did, cf. Matt 6:33.

Bible Reading: Lk 11:33-36.

Thought for today: He who trusts in his own mind is a fool, cf. Prov 28:26.

Let us pray: May the will of God be done on earth as it is in heaven – Amen (cf. Matt 6:10).

Saint Philip Neri – Pray for us.

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