Thursday of the Thirty-Second Week in Ordinary Time

For the Poor Souls in Purgatory

Saint: Pope Saint Leo the Great, Doctor of the Church (-461)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 33 Monks and Private Ownership

Mass: Philemon 7-20; Resp Ps 146; Lk 17:20-25

The Lord gives sight to the blind.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

SAINT GERTRUDE THE GREAT,

SAINT NICHOLAS OF TOLENTINO,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

I give thanks to my God always, remembering you in my prayers ...

I have experienced much joy and encouragement from your love.

(Philemon 4, 7)

We are blessed today to hear from the Letter to Philemon, a short one of only 25 verses. It is not the shortest letter though and we hear from two shorter ones on the next two days. Friday (Saint Martin of Tours) we hear from the Second Letter of Saint John, only 13 verses, and on Saturday (Saint Josaphat) we are in the Third Letter of Saint John with only 15 verses. These Letters are worth reading in their entirety. Although short, they are packed with things to reflect upon. No wonder, they are the Word of God after all. Refresh my heart in Christ (Philemon 20).

All saints are great, not all are called the Great though. Today we commemorate Saint Leo the Great, the first pope to leave sermons for us to read, 97 of them to keep us busy. Who are other great saints called the Great? There is Pope Saint Gregory the Great (September 3); Saint Gertrude the Great (November 16); Saint Albert the Great (November 15); Saint Anthony the Great (January 17); and Saint Basil the Great (January 2). Do you know of others?

A response to the following from Saint Leo the Great is, "thank you, Jesus." 

Invisible in His own nature [God] became visible in ours. Beyond our grasp, He chose to come within our grasp.

(Pope Saint Leo the Great)

How true it is what Saint Leo the Great preaches below. We remind ourselves of the Gospel of Saint Matthew when Jesus tells us that "when an unclean spirit goes out of a person it roams through arid regions searching for rest but finds none. Then it says, 'I will return to my home from which I came.' But upon returning, it finds it empty, swept clean, and put in order. Then it goes and brings back with itself seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they move in and dwell there; and the last condition of that person is worse than the first" (Mt 12:43-45). Just like after you mop the kitchen floor, and someone comes in right after and tracks in mud. lol. Be on guard; the tempter is on the prowl. United in faith and prayer, we go forth. Keep going.

The tempter, ever on the watch, wages war most violently against those whom he sees most careful to avoid sin.

(Pope Saint Leo the Great)

SAINT LEO THE GREAT,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: Yesterday afternoon around 3pm. The Lord raises up those who are bowed down.

© Gertrude Feick 2022