Homily of Monday of the 31st Week in ordinary time
Saint Charles Borromeo, Bishop
Philippians 2:1-4, Luke 14:12-14
Saint Charles Borromeo (1538-1584), a cardinal and Archbishop of Milan, was a key figure in the Counter-Reformation and a tireless reformer within the Catholic Church. Known for his dedication to improving clerical education and moral standards, he established seminaries, emphasized pastoral care, and inspired others with his profound commitment to the poor and sick, especially during times of plague. Saint Charles is remembered as a model bishop who revitalized faith and discipline among clergy and laity alike.
Whatever we have and cannot share with others will surely die with us. But when we believe in the communion of saints, we will surely know that our lives still make more meaning even though we must have departed this world. None is called to live for himself or herself alone. Lone rangers oftentimes land themselves in trouble. We need a level of dependence to keep our sanity and grow into maturity. We surely need others to survive no matter the level of our financial independence.
Therefore, in whatever we do, we must always take others into consideration. Paul said to the Philippians, “Always consider the other person to be better than yourself, so that nobody thinks of his own interests first, but everybody thinks of other people’s interests instead.” Phil 2:2-4.
Moreover, “Jesus said to his host, one of the leading Pharisees, ‘When you give a lunch or a dinner, do not ask your friends, brothers, relations or rich neighbours, for fear they repay your courtesy by inviting you in return. No; when you have a party, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind; that they cannot pay you back means that you are fortunate, because repayment will be made to you when the virtuous rise again.”
This is a point we must consider, our help for others must not be based on what we want to get in return. Let our fulfilment come from the joy we bring to others and not from what we stand to gain. When we do not get commensurate appreciation from our beneficiaries, we may suffer pain. But when we do all for God’s love, he ensures our ultimate fulfilment.
Like St Charles Borromeo, may we always reach out to others sharing with them the special love of God.
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