Monday of the Twenty-Fifth Week in Ordinary Time

Saint Pius of Pietrelcina, also known as Padre Pio (1887-1968)

Readings of the Day
RB: Ch 5:14-19
Mass: Ezra 1:1-6; Resp Ps 126; Lk 8:16-18

The Lord has done marvels for us.

This morning Pope Francis met with the Vatican Dicastery for Communications and spoke with them about sincere and effective communication. In his address, the Holy Father quoted Pope Benedict XVI who once said, "the Church does not grow by proselytizing, but through witnessing." Pope Francis added, "being Christian means being witnesses  … witness must always come first."

May we go about our days, then, being witnesses to our faith. We turn to today's Gospel acclamation: Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father. Because, as Jesus tells the crowd in the Gospel, "No one who lights a lamp conceals it with a vessel or sets it under a bed; rather, he places it on a lampstand so that those who enter may see the light" (Lk 8:16) And St Benedict adds, "God loves a cheerful giver" (RB 5:16).

Preach the Gospel at all times. And when necessary, use words.

(St Francis of Assisi)

We are called to be witnesses and messengers of God's mercy, to offer the world light where there is darkness, hope where despair reigns, salvation where sin abounds.
(Pope Francis, Twitter, September 23, 2019)

ST PIUS OF PIETRELCINA, PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: Wildflowers in Switzerland.

© Gertrude Feick 2019