The Feast of Saints Louis of France and Joseph Calasanz.

Feast of Saints Louis of France and Joseph Calasanz. 

"Once in the time of the judges there was a famine in the land; so a man from Bethlehem of Judah departed with his wife and two sons to reside on the plateau of Moab.

"Elimelech, the husband of Naomi, died, and she was left with her two sons, who married Moabite women, one named Orpah, the other Ruth.

"When they had lived there about ten years, both Mahlon and Chilion died also, and the woman was left with neither her two sons nor her husband.

"She then made ready to go back from the plateau of Moab because word reached her there that the Lord had visited his people and given them food.

"Orpah kissed her mother-in-law good-bye, but Ruth stayed with her.

"Naomi said, “See now! Your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and her god. Go back after your sister-in-law!”

"But Ruth said, “Do not ask me to abandon or forsake you! For wherever you go, I will go, wherever you lodge I will lodge, your people shall be my people, and your God my God.”

"Thus it was that Naomi returned with the Moabite daughter-in-law, Ruth, who accompanied her back from the plateau of Moab. They arrived in Bethlehem at the beginning of the barley harvest." 

(Ruth1:1, 3-6, 14b-16, 22).

Friday 25th August 2023 of the 20th Week of Ordinary Time.  We celebrate the lives of two saints. 

St Louis of France (1214 - 1270). He lived a simple life characterized by prayer and penance. God was pleased with Louis and raised him from the cares of earthly rule to the glory of heavenly kingdom.

We celebrate also today:

St Joseph Calasanz (1557 - 1648). Spanish Priest who dedicated his life in charity and patience to the education of poor children.

What is the common factor between King Louis and Father Joseph? They were separated by nearly 300 years. 

"Blessed is that servant whom his master on his arrival finds doing so. Amen, I say to you, he will put him in charge of all his property." 

St Louis the king of France had eleven children. As king of a great European power in the 13th century, Louis lived a life of penance and prayer and treated the French people as his children. 

St Joseph Calasanz dedicated his life in charity and patience to the education of poor children. He founded a religious order to cater for the poor and the abandoned children of Rome. It is reported of him that he founded the first free primary education for poor children. St Joseph Calasanz died in Rome in August 25th 1648 and was canonized in 1767 by Pope Clement XIII. 

Our key Scripture for reflection is from the first Reading, the Book of Ruth. 

We reflect on the brave words of Ruth to her mother-in-law, Naomi.  Unknown to Ruth, she had been chosen by God to be the great grandmother of King David and to become one of the three women in the Genealogy of Jesus Christ.

Who is Ruth?  Ruth was a Moabite woman married to the son of Naomi. Ruth's husband died. Naomi decided to go back to Bethlehem since her husband and two sons had died. She released her two daughters-in-law from any obligations towards her. Orpah, the other daughter-in-law left and went back to her people. Ruth refused to to leave Naomi.

“Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.  Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried."

This is a popular Scripture in weddings for obvious reasons.  Who would not like to have the like of Ruth as a daughter-in-law?

What can we learn from the character of Ruth? 

A spirit of sacrifice, hard work, loyalty and faithfulness. Although a stranger to the monotheistic religion of Israel, she no doubt fulfilled the ancient law enunciated by Jesus in the Gospel: "You shall love the LORD, your God, with all your heart and your neighbor as yourself." (Cf Matthew 22: 34 - 40).

 August is the Month dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Mary says: "In the end. My Immaculate Heart will triumph." 

For Prayers of Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Litany, Promises of Mary to those who say the Holy Rosary, etc click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/06/immaculate-heart-of-mary-consecration.html?m=10

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com