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Spanish De La Salle Brother Jaime Barbal was forced to give up teaching Latin because of his hearing deterioration. When he was arrested during the Spanish Civil War his attorneys encouraged him not to mention being a religious brother. But Jaime refused and was executed by a firing squad.
Born into royalty and headed for the throne of his father, Saint Louis of Toulouse renounced his status, became a Franciscan, and was named a bishop. It was during the years that he was held hostage and under the tutelage of the Friars, that Saint Louis began to realize his call to something other than the throne.
God’s plan is not addressed to a few special people. It is offered to everybody–good and bad, rich and poor. If the invitation is rejected at first it is offered again. God is not content until the places are full.
Children see things simply, speaking directly because their honesty comes from their hearts and is totally sincere. This is especially true in their relationships with God.
Transformation from greedy and surly businesswoman to saint is the story of Saint Joan of the Cross. Her conversion is credited to an elderly woman who most people thought was crazy, but who reached Saint Joan’s heart. Joan of the Cross went on to found a religious congregation and several charitable institutions.
God gives us far more than we have earned–far more than we deserve. God is the god of generosity, not the god of strict and equal justice.
Francis was as much subject to self-doubt as any of us. His motives were purified in prayer; his ego became right-sized there.
Stephen of Hungary was both a king and a Christian. So, he embodied both the civil and the religious aspects of life in his person. Saint Stephen expressed those aspects in the best way he knew how according to his culture and period of history.
Tuesday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time
August 16, 2022
Daily Reading from the USCCB: Matthew 19:23-30
Audio file
Only if we recommit to daily private and public prayer can we rediscover the content of the faith that is professed, celebrated, lived, and prayed.
