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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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