The Pope of the Eucharist - St Pius X. Happy Feast Day.

“You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind..... The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself." (Matthew 22: 37, 39).

Friday 21st August 2020, 20th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Pius X (1835 - 1914). Italian. Pope. The Church and the world owe St Pius X a great deal for these innovations that we take for granted today: Frequent Holy Communion, children receiving Holy Communion from the age of 7. For these two, he is called the Pope  the Eucharist. He defended stoutly the integrity of the Catholic faith against modern heresies. He updated the Catechism. His papal motto: "To restore all things in Christ" became truly his magnificent obsession.

In answer to the question of a Pharisee scholar as to the greatest commandment in the Book, Jesus answered with our key Scripture for today. Love God and love neighbor always, everywhere and in everything. Sounds a bit intimidating and impossible. How can we keep this lofty commandment? For man, it is impossible but for God "all things are possible." What is the key here?

In the first Reading (Ezekiel 37: 1 - 14), the Word says:  "I will put my spirit in you that you may come to life." (Ezekiel 37: 14). Yes, the Holy Spirit in us makes it possible for us to love God and neighbor. The Holy Spirit is the Lord and Giver of life. Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. Liberty to always choose the best. And the best is love.

For the Christian, love of God and love of neighbor is the way of life. It is the beginning of eternal life here and all the way to eternity.

Daily Bible Verse @ Seekfirst.blogspot.com