Pope Saint Leo the Great, Doctor (-461)
Other saints: Saint Aedh, Bishop (589); Saint Justis, Bishop (627); Saint Andrew Avellino (1521-1608)
Readings of the Day
RB: Ch 33 Monks and Private Ownership
Mass: Titus 2:1-8, 11-14; Resp Ps 37; Lk 17:7-10
Turn from evil and do good, that you may abide forever.
JESUS, INFINITE GOODNESS,
HAVE MERCY ON US.
One bottom line is this: "For the grace of God has appeared, saving all and training us to reject godless ways and worldly desires and to live temperately, justly, and devoutly in this age, as we await the blessed hope, the appearance of the glory of the great God and of Our Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us to deliver us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for Himself a people as His own, eager to do what is good" (Titus 2:11-14). May we, then, be dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, love and endurance, reverent in our behavior, not slanderers, not addicted to drink, teach what is good, chaste, and control ourselves so that we are models of good deeds in every respect, with integrity, dignity, and sound speech (Titus 2:2-8). Tall orders indeed. We can turn to Saint Benedict for fewer words: Your way of acting should be different from the world's way; the love of Christ must come before all else (RB 4:20-21). Whatever the case, after all this, we can say, "We are unprofitable servants; we have done what we were obliged to do" (Lk 17:10).
Mercy wishes you to be merciful, righteousness to be righteous, that the Creator may be seen in His creatures, and the image of God may be reflected in the mirror of the human heart.
(Pope Saint Leo the Great)
POPE SAINT LEO THE GREAT,
PRAY FOR US.
© Gertrude Feick 2020
