Homily (Reflection) for the Memorial
of Saint Scholastica, V., (10th February, 2018) on the Gospel and
the Memorial
(Saturday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time
(II))
1Kgs 12:26-32; 13:33-34;
Ps 105:6-7.19-22. (R. v.4);
Mk 8:1-10.
Saint Scholastica, twin sister of Saint Benedict, was
born in 480 of wealthy parents. She founded a religious community for women
near Monte Cassino at Plombariola. The twins visited each other once a year in
a farmhouse because Benedict was not permitted inside the monastery. According
to the Dialogues of St. Gregory the Great, they spent their last day
together in prayer and conversation. Scholastica sensed her death was close at
hand and she begged Benedict to stay with her until the next day but he refused
because it was against his own Rule. She asked God and a severe thunderstorm
broke out, preventing Benedict and his monks from returning to the abbey. Benedict
cried out, “God forgive you, Sister. What have you done?” She replied, “I asked
a favour of you and you refused. I asked it of God and he granted it.” Three
days later, Benedict saw the soul of his sister rising heavenward in the form
of a white dove. He buried her in the tomb he had prepared for himself.[1].
Topic: Amidst the challenges.
Jesus said to His disciples about the great crowd around Him in
today’s gospel,
I have compassion for the crowd, because they have been with
me for three days and have nothing to eat. If I send them away hungry to their
homes, they will faint on the way–and some of them have come from a great
distance.
His disciples questioned, “How can one feed these people with
bread here in the desert?” They had forgotten that this same Jesus fed five
thousand with five loaves and two fish, cf. Mk 6:30-44. Again, He led the Israelites forty years in the
wilderness, their clothes did not wear out nor their sandals worn off your
feet, cf. Deut 29:5.
We do ask similar
questions. We also forget bigger things He has done. God made everything from
nothing, cf. Is 45:12; Heb 11:3. He is
able and willing to take care of all His creatures. Hence Jesus admonished,
“...do not be anxious about your life, what you shall eat or what you shall
drink, nor about your body, what you shall put on. Is not life more than food,
and the body more than clothing?” (Matt
6:25).
The crowd did not say even a word for Jesus to know their
difficulties. God is aware of what you go through. We ought to remember always,
No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man.
God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your strength, but
with the temptation will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able
to endure it (1Cor 10:13).
Bible Reading: Is 43:1-28.
Thought for today: Our God is God, and there is no other, cf. Is 45:18.
Let us pray: God, open our eyes to see you in
every circumstance – Amen.
Saint Scholastica – Pray for us.
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with others if you consider it worthy.
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