Daily Gospel Reflection
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July 17, 2021
The Pharisees went out and took counsel against Jesus
to put him to death.
When Jesus realized this, he withdrew from that place.
Many people followed him, and he cured them all,
but he warned them not to make him known.
This was to fulfill what had been spoken through Isaiah the prophet:
Behold, my servant whom I have chosen,
my beloved in whom I delight;
I shall place my Spirit upon him,
and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles.
He will not contend or cry out,
nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets.
A bruised reed he will not break,
a smoldering wick he will not quench,
until he brings justice to victory.
And in his name the Gentiles will hope.
During my first year at Notre Dame, I was asked to give a retreat talk on “wisdom.” I had enough self-awareness to know that, being a freshman, I had very little. So, I sought out someone I thought to be the wisest person on campus.
I visited the 13th floor of the library and marveled at the man, Fr. Ted Hesburgh, CSC. How could a person be capable of so much?
At one point in our conversation, I asked him bluntly, “So, how’d you do it all?” Fr. Hesburgh said simply, “Every morning, I pray, ‘Come, Holy Spirit’…and away we go.”
In today’s gospel, Jesus is shown as the fulfilment of one of Isaiah’s Servant Songs. The Spirit is upon him, and in his meekness, where does he go? He goes ultimately to Calvary, where his justice will extend even to the Gentiles. By Christ’s eternal union with the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, he brings salvation to the entire world.
When Our Lady is overshadowed by the Holy Spirit, she goes in haste to bring Christ to her cousin and to the final prophet of her son. When the apostles receive the Holy Spirit, they set off to the ends of the earth, proclaiming the Gospel and laying down their lives for Christ.
Every morning, Fr. Hesburgh surrendered himself to be filled and led by the Holy Spirit. Then around the globe he went, bringing justice to fruition, advising presidents and popes, and transforming our home under the dome.
In my own life, I found the Holy Spirit leading me and fellow Notre Dame alumni to develop Hallow, an audio-guided prayer and meditation app, in hopes that all might be animated daily by the Lord, the Giver of Life.
Today would be as good as any to offer that simple and powerful prayer:
“Come, Holy Spirit”…and then see where the Lord takes us.
Prayer
Merciful Father, you sent your Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with the fire of your grace and mercy. Help us to nurture a spirit of charity and forgiveness towards those who have trespassed against us. May we always find in you the courage and humility to raise up—and not condemn—our fellow sinners as we strive to follow the example of your Son. 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!