Daily Gospel Reflection
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July 17, 2019
At that time Jesus exclaimed:
“I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth,
for although you have hidden these things
from the wise and the learned
you have revealed them to the childlike.
Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will.
All things have been handed over to me by my Father.
No one knows the Son except the Father,
and no one knows the Father except the Son
and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him.”
As a middle school teacher, I can vouch for the not-so-wonderful qualities of the childlike. It’s amazing how much attitude they can dish out before 8 am. However, I can also vouch for the innate wisdom young people possess.
In childhood, your world is beautifully quite small: mostly comprised of your family, school, neighborhood, and church. You know the world is actually much larger and that you’ll explore it later on, but, for the time being, your world is what immediately surrounds you. Consequently, when you ask a child to give an example of love, he or she will most likely tell a story about a family member or close friend. Children recognize the love directly in front of them.
Meanwhile, if you ask an adult for an example of love, he or she might likely give an example of ideal love: a more philosophical and less personal answer. Not because as adults we don’t recognize the love directly in front of us, but rather because we’re sorting through the many definitions and examples of love we’ve encountered throughout our lives. We try to summarize “love” in one general statement. In doing so, however, we distance ourselves from the love Jesus modeled. We see love in the big picture, rather than in our immediate surroundings.
To love as Jesus did and discover what God wishes to reveal, we must rediscover childlike love. We must look at those with whom we spend our days—our families, co-workers, and neighbors—and seize opportunities to recognize and show the love Jesus modeled. By humbling our definition of love and better loving those in our immediate surroundings, we can grow closer to God and share in his infinite love for us.
Prayer
Jesus, yesterday we prayed for your patience with us until we finally comprehend that your way is the only way to peace and wholeness. Today you pray for us. In that prayer, you tell us exactly what is needed. Please help my ego to get out of the way so that your prayer may bear fruit in my life. Amen.
Saint of the Day
St. Alexis is a saint who is half-legend, half-man.
Despite his uncertain history, he is depicted in a mural in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart because he is patron of the Pipcus Fathers, who are known as the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary. The Holy Cross priests are dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and wanted to encourage as many other examples of that devotion as possible.
We are told that St. Alexis lived in fifth century Syria and took on the life of a beggar. He was known to be of great virtue, and is honored as a saint. This is the most reliable information we have about him.
An early writer told his story with more detail, referring to Alexis simply as “the Man of God.” Legend has it that Alexis was the only son of a wealthy Roman senator, and had every advantage in the ancient world because of this citizenship. He renounced all of this, though, and begged for food at the doors of a church. He shared all of what he received with other poor people, only taking for himself what was left over.
He got sick and was cared for in a hospital, and he told an attendant his life story. When he died, he was buried in a mass grave. His story got passed around the city, and when the bishop heard that he was a Roman citizen, he ordered Alexis’ body exhumed for proper burial. All they found was his ragged clothing. The saint’s supposed Roman heritage led to his popularity. His story and veneration spread because people identified with him and were moved by his example.
St. Alexis, you gave up a life of privilege to live among the poor and care for the forgotten—pray for us!