Gospel Thought for Today
11th August Memorial of Saint Clare, Virgin
Gospel: Matthew 18:1-5, 10, 12-14
The disciples approached Jesus and said,
“Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven?”
He called a child over, placed it in their midst, and said,
“Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children,
you will not enter the Kingdom of heaven.
Whoever becomes humble like this child
is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.
And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me.
“See that you do not despise one of these little ones,
for I say to you that their angels in heaven
always look upon the face of my heavenly Father.
What is your opinion?
If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray,
will he not leave the ninety-nine in the hills
and go in search of the stray?
And if he finds it, amen, I say to you, he rejoices more over it
than over the ninety-nine that did not stray.
In just the same way, it is not the will of your heavenly Father
that one of these little ones be lost.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
The Mass intention is for Steve Beech RIP.
Reflection:
During the Jubilee Year of Mercy four years ago, representatives from our Rosary group went on pilgrimage to the Basilica of St Clare in Assisi where the remains of today’s saint are venerated. While waiting for the basilica doors to open, I stood by the wall overlooking the outskirts of the town. I recalled the story of how St Clare, in 1234, brought the Blessed Sacrament on the convent wall as Saracen soldiers attacked the city. Frail as she was, she prostrated before the Blessed Sacrament praying “Good Lord, I beg you: defend those I cannot protect”. The soldiers fled when Clare raised the ciborium.
The Gospel today tells us that it is the childlike who is the greatest in God’s Kingdom. St Clare showed such childlikeness when she gave up a wealthy and comfortable life to follow Jesus. The Eucharistic miracle in 1234 demonstrated how St Clare used non-violence to confront her persecutors. Her spirit lives on through the congregation she co-founded, our very own Poor Clare sisters.
- How can you change and become like a little child?
- How have you experienced the power of the Holy Eucharist in your life?
- St Clare once said, “We become what we love and who we love shapes what we become”. How true is this in your life?
Lord Jesus, thank You for Your Word today. Through the example and prayers of St Clare, bless all Poor Clare sisters that they may remain true to the form of life founded on “highest poverty and holy unity”. Help me to rediscover the child in me – full of trust in Your mercy and providence. Amen.
Fraternally,
Pietro
