THE FEAST OF ST ROBERT BELLARMINE SJ, BISHOP AND DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH.
THE FEAST OF ST ROBERT BELLARMINE, BISHOP AND DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH.
"Jesus said to the crowds:
“To what shall I compare the people of this generation?
What are they like?
They are like children who sit in the marketplace and call to one another,
‘We played the flute for you, but you did not dance.
We sang a dirge, but you did not weep.’
For John the Baptist came neither eating food nor drinking wine, and you said, ‘He is possessed by a demon.’
The Son of Man came eating and drinking and you said,
‘Look, he is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’
But wisdom is vindicated by all her children.” (LUKE 7: 31 - 35).
Wednesday September 17th in the 24th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St
Robert Bellarmine of the Society of Jesus. (1542 - 1620). Italian. Bishop, Cardinal, Apologist and Patron Saint of Catechists.
Robert Bellarmine resided in Rome during most of his work life.
The poor of Rome came to know him well and called him "the new poor one," reminiscent of St Francis of Assisi.
Bellarmine shared his table regularly with the poor of the city of Rome.
Bellarmine was the nephew of Pope Marcellus II. St Robert Bellarmine was a renowned scholar, a great apologist and contributed immensely to the Council of Trent and the reforms mandated by the Council.
In spite of all these encomiums, Bellarmine could say with Paul:
"By the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me has not been ineffective."
How about us? Can we say honestly: "By the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me has not been ineffective." Can we defend the Catholic faith and all its practices? You may say: "I don't have the wisdom and the gifts of St Robert Bellarmine to do great things for the Church."
Paul and Bellarmine recognized that without the grace of God, they could do nothing.
The Holy Spirit is standing by waiting to be asked to be our Helper, Friend, Advocate. He will help us clarify our purpose on earth and help us to accomplish it.
Jesus told us that the Father does not ration the Holy Spirit.
When Jesus compares us to little children in the marketplace who refuse to play the game according to rules, what is He saying?
If you want to be an adult Christian, you must learn one truth and abide by it.
Nobody can please the world. The world has no gold standard.
It has rather arbitrary rules strung together to satisfy selfish whims.
The world controls people through Opinion Polls.
Many people are terrified of adverse opinions from their neighbors, peers and from the public.
Jesus did not care what people think about Him.
His greatest desire is to do the will of His Father.
In His teaching in today's Gospel, Jesus is not theoretical. He gives examples:
"For John the Baptist came neither eating food nor drinking wine, and you said, ‘He is possessed by a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking and you said, ‘Look, he is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners."
But wisdom is vindicated by her works.” (Matthew 11: 18 - 19).
In September, the Church honors the Sorrowful Heart of Mary. May the Blessed Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Sorrows obtain for us mercies from her Son Jesus.
For Prayers of Consecration to the Immaculate and Sorrowful Heart of Mary, Litany, Promises of Mary to those who say the Holy Rosary, etc click the link below:
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