Pope Saint Callistus I, Martyr (-222)
Readings of the Day
RB: Ch 14 The Celebration of Vigils on the Anniversary of Saints
Mass: Gal 5:18-25; Resp Ps 1; Lk 11:42-46
Those who follow you, Lord, will have the light of life.
Now and then things appear in the form of poems, stories, sayings, etc. and I wait for a fitting occasion to pass them along. Just yesterday a piece of paper with "A Cherokee Story" appeared on the counter. Considering our reading from the Epistle to the Galatians, where St Paul lists works of the flesh that are in sharp contrast to the fruit of the Spirit, today is the day to pass along the story. Some of the works of the flesh are immorality, impurity, hatreds, rivalry, jealousy, outbursts of fury, factions, occasions of envy, and the like (Gal 5:19-21). Fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Gal 5:22-23). Recalling yesterday's Gospel (Lk 11:37-41), one might say the inside of our cups is full of works of the flesh. As we continue to cleanse the inside of our cups, we turn to some Cherokee wisdom.
One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people. He said, my son, the battle is between two wolves inside us all. One is evil-it is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority and ego. The other is good-it is love, joy, peace, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith.
The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather: "Which wolf wins?"
The old Cherokee simply replied: "The one you feed."
POPE SAINT CALLISTUS I,
PRAY FOR US.
© Gertrude Feick 2020
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