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John the Baptist’s role was to prepare the people for the long-awaited Messiah. Jesus would come to John for baptism at the beginning of his ministry, and John would urge his listeners to repent and respond to Jesus’ words.
Jesus was a person who valued rest and had clear boundaries, yet he also suffered immensely and willingly on behalf of others. What does his example tell us about the responsibility to steward our lives and time well?
Saint Augustine of Hippo is a giant in many ways. He had a powerful and forceful personality which he used both before and after his conversion. He had a passion for whatever he did, and this showed up in his theological teachings.
In today’s Gospel account Luke recalls a story of a time when Jesus was a table guest of a leading Pharisee. The Lord challenges his listeners—and his host—to allow others to take the seats of honor. They must welcome the poor, those who are disabled, those who cannot repay the invitation.
There’s no such thing as a “private” decision or “yes” simply because of the ripple effect of everyone around and yet to come. Your “yes” to help someone today can touch everyone else whom that person encounters today too.
Perhaps Saint Monica is best known as the mother of Saint Augustine—a pretty noble label. But Saint Monica was also the mother of two other children, and is known as a woman of great prayer.
We are all called to cooperate in strengthening the kingdom. We don’t all have the same capabilities, but we are expected to use as best we can what has been entrusted to us. The measure of success is how much richer the kingdom will be thanks to our efforts.
A stray reminder can lead us to relive a long-ago injury—one received, one given. It’s humbling to recall that we acted or reacted in anger, with ugliness, that we even may hold a grudging memory today.
Saint Joseph Calasanz dedicated his life to poor children. He gathered teachers to help him, and eventually organized the Clerks Regular of Religious Schools–also known as the Piarists or Scolopi. But his work was not without opposition, as some objected to the education of the poor.
How should we watch for the coming of the kingdom? By putting our relationship with the Lord at the very center of our daily life here and now. Prayer, loving attention to our neighbor, consistent gratitude to God–all these are ways to keep ourselves aware that the Lord Jesus is on his way.
