Homily (Reflection) for the Memorial
of Saint Benedict, Abb (11th July, 2019) on the Gospel and the Memorial
(Thursday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary
Time (I))
Gen 44:18-21.23-29; 45:1-5;
Ps 104:16-21. (R. v. 5);
Matt 10:7-15.
Saint Benedict of Nursia (c. 480 – c. 547), twin
brother of Saint Scholastica was born into a distinguished family in central
Italy, and was drawn to the monastic life early in life. Some monks chose him
as their leader, but were dissatisfied with his strictness. He built what became
one of the most famous monasteries in the world—Monte Cassino. His rule for his
monks is known as “Rule of Saint Benedict”. He is venerated in the Catholic
Church, the Eastern Orthodox Churches, the Oriental Orthodox Churches, the
Anglican Communion and Old Catholic Churches. He is the patron saint of Europe
and students, and the father of Western Monasticism.
Topic: Preaching the gospel.
Preaching the gospel in the words of Saint Paul is preaching
the crucified Christ, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, cf. 1Cor 1:23. Preachers of the true gospel
preach Jesus Christ as Lord, and themselves as mere servants for Jesus’ sake,
cf. 2Cor 4:5.
The work of preaching is God’s. He does not approve of any
addition or subtraction, cf. Prov 30:6.
Saint Paul rightly prophesied, “For the time is coming when people will not
endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for
themselves teachers to suit their own likings” (2Tim 4:3). However, mutilating the gospel for whatever reason does
nobody good; the preacher places curse on him/herself (cf. Gal 1:8) and also deprived the people of the means of salvation,
cf. 1Cor 1:21.
Although God preaches through human instruments, it is solely
in God’s hand what will come out of it, cf. 1Cor 3:6. If a preacher is rejected, it is He who does His work
through him/her that is rejected, cf. Lk
10:16. And Jesus warned in today’s gospel, “Truly I tell you, it will be
more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgement than
for that town” (Matt 10:15).
Dearest fellow servants, let us stick to preaching Christ and
leave the rest for the Lord of the harvest. Doing anything contrary as we have
seen is very dangerous for both the preachers and the hearers. Saint Benedict we
celebrate stuck to it. Although some monks rejected him but he is today in the endless
joys of heaven. And finally most cherished people of God, thirst for the true
gospel of Christ and nothing else for that alone is the message (word) of life,
cf. Jn 6:68; Phil 2:16; 1Jn 1:1.
Bible Reading: 2Tim 4:1-8.
Thought for today: Preaching is solely God’s.
Let us pray: Lord, grant us the grace to stick to
the gospel no matter how stupid it might appear to be – Amen.
Saint Benedict – Pray for us.
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