Daily Gospel Reflection
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May 11, 2020
Jesus said to his disciples, “They who have my commandments and keep them are those who love me; and those who love me will be loved by my Father, and I will love them and reveal myself to them.”
Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, “Lord, how is it that you will reveal yourself to us, and not to the world?”
Jesus answered him, “Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words; and the word that you hear is not mine, but is from the Father who sent me.
“I have said these things to you while I am still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you.”
After reading this gospel, I feel an enormous sense of relief. The final line of this passage reminds us of the opportunity we have to allow the Holy Spirit to enter our hearts, fill us with wisdom, and help us spread His message to others.
As Catholics, we have an incredible responsibility to stick our necks out in uncomfortable situations and say the right thing. As someone who does not enjoy speaking in front of groups, I oftentimes have to push myself to share my beliefs. Despite being an extremely convicted person, evangelizing is not always easy in my day-to-day life.
Recently, I presented to a group of professional athletes about their platform and the opportunity they have to give back to the community. There was immense pressure to come up with the right words. I felt inept and feared the worst: They will not care what I have to say, and they will focus on my poor public speaking.
I made the decision the morning of the presentation that I surrender my thoughts to the Holy Spirit and beg God to fill me with the right message for that particular group of people. I thought, if my message resonated with one person, that would be sufficient.
The presentation certainly was a success as nearly 100% of players completed a community engagement survey, and more importantly, I delivered the presentation with a certain calmness and confidence. I believed I was sharing words that these athletes needed to hear.
That experience reminded me that God sent his best and wisest teacher to accompany us every step of the way. Not only can we rely on the Holy Spirit for the right words, but also we can ask the Holy Spirit to help us evangelize in seemingly mundane tasks and conversations.
Where in our lives can we better trust the Holy Spirit and ultimately reveal God’s love for others on earth?
Prayer
Dear Jesus, you promise to be with us through the presence of your Spirit, our Advocate. Bless us with your presence and the gift of your guidance. May our efforts bring you glory. Amen!
Saint of the Day
St. Francis di Girolamo was tireless in working to convert sinners and reaching out to the poor, winning many people to greater faith. He is known as the Apostle to Naples because that is where he spent most of his time and energy.
He was born in Italy in 1642, the eldest of 11 children. After making his first Communion at the age of 12, he went to live with a community of priests in his town. They could clearly see that he was special, and began to entrust to him greater roles in the congregation, including teaching the catechism.
Francis went to Naples to study civil and canon law, and was ordained a priest there in 1666 (he had to receive special permission because at 24, he was too young). He taught at a Jesuit university in Naples for five years and students there began to refer to him as “the holy priest.”
He decided to join the Jesuit order, and his superiors tested him with many difficulties. He impressed everyone, however, and was sent to do mission work with a famous preacher. He then returned to Naples and finished his education and was appointed to a church there.
Francis desperately wanted to travel to Japan as a missionary—reports stated that every missionary who landed there was killed. It was decided, though, that he should remain in Naples, so he began to train other missionaries.
Large crowds gathered to hear him preach, and many people sought him out for confession. Miracles and wonders were reported from his intercession. Some estimate that he converted 400 sinners each year. He regularly visited the sick in hospitals and the imprisoned, including those waiting for execution. He was fearless in pursuing sinners even on their own territory in places of ill repute—and he was beaten up a number of times for his efforts.
Sometimes he would feel a spontaneous urge to begin preaching in the middle of the street. One night, in the middle of a storm, he felt called to begin preaching to an empty, dark alley. The next day, a sinner came to his confessional who had heard him through an open window.
The most famous sinner he converted was a French woman who killed her father and fled to Spain, where she dressed as a man and enlisted in the army. She sought direction from Francis, and not only repented from her sins but also went on to become known as a holy woman.
St. Francis di Girolamo died at the age of 74, and his relics rest in the reliquary chapel in the Basilica.
St. Francis di Girolamo, you relentlessly sought out sinners on their own turf and won many to the faith—pray for us!
Image Credit: Our featured image of St. Francis di Girolamo is used with permission from Catholic Online. Last accessed March 6, 2025.