FEAST OF ST CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA, BISHOP AND DOCTOR.
You have one Teacher & Master: Jesus
THE GOSPEL:
"Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying,
“The scribes and the Pharisees have taken their seat on the chair of Moses. Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example.
For they preach but they do not practice. They tie up heavy burdens hard to carry and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they will not lift a finger to move them. All their works are performed to be seen. They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels. They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues, greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation ‘Rabbi.’
As for you, do not be called ‘Rabbi.’ You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers. Call no one on earth your father; you have but one Father in heaven. Do not be called ‘Master’; you have but one master, the Christ.
The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” (Matthew 23: 1 - 12).
Tuesday 18th March 2025 is the feast of St Cyril of Alexandria, Bishop and Doctor of the Church.
St Cyril of Alexandria in Egypt lived between 376 and 444. St Cyril played a crucial role in the Council of Ephesus in 431 AD to defend the oneness of the person in Jesus Christ. Today we take for granted the knowledge that Jesus Christ is true God and true Man. This has not always been the case in Church history. St Cyril argued that if Jesus is One Person, then the Blessed Virgin Mary is the Mother of God (Theotokos).
St Cyril listened to the words of Christ, meditated long on them. During the crisis of faith that engulfed Christiandom in the middle of the 5th century, Cyril did not collapse from the virulent and battering attacks of heretics. His house "had been set solidly on rock."
In our key Scripture for today, Jesus upbraided the scribes and the Pharisees. Why? They teach correct Doctrine but leave the practice of what they teach to their followers.
Who are the equivalent of the scribes and Pharisees today?
They are the Bishops and Abbots who received teaching authority directly from Christ. They have helpers in priests, theologians and catechists.
Church Father and Doctor of the Church St John Chrysostom teaches that the Bishops and their assistants must be respected because they hold apostolic office no matter their failings.
We may think that a Bishop is in error with regard to one doctrine or the other. But who are we to criticize him when his Boss, Jesus says:
"Whoever listens to you listens to me. Whoever rejects you rejects me. And whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me.” (Luke 10: 16).
All things success and failure work together for good to those who love God. God makes everything beautiful in the fullness of time. Trust in the merciful, mighty and mysterious Plan of God.
We all will be judged on the Last Day by our love, obedience and humility.
Jesus concludes His teaching for today with these words:
"The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” (Matthew 23: 11 - 12).
WEDNESDAY MARCH 19 IS THE SOLEMNITY OF ST JOSEPH. Honor St Joseph on his feast day with Holy Mass and Holy Communion.
Act of Consecration to St. Joseph
O dearest St. Joseph, I consecrate myself to your honor and give myself to you, that you may always be my father, my protector and my guide in the way of salvation. Obtain for me a greater purity of heart and fervent love of the interior life. After your example may I do all my actions for the greater glory of God, in union with the Divine Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. O Blessed St. Joseph, pray for me, that I may share in the peace and joy of your holy death. Amen
"Jesus said to his disciples: “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
“Stop judging and you will not be judged.
"Stop condemning and you will not be condemned.
"Forgive and you will be forgiven.
"Give and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap.
"For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you." (Luke 6: 36 - 38).
Monday 17th March 2025, in the 2nd Week of Lent is the feast of St Patrick, Bishop and Missionary.
St Patrick lived between 389 and 461. His nationality is British-Irish. St Patrick was a Bishop and a great Missionary. He is the Patron saint of Ireland and Nigeria.
St Patrick teaches us that persistence in prayer breaks resistance. St Patrick had a great desire to become a priest. He was opposed by powerful clerics because he was considered too old and not able to withstand the rigors of the studies involved. Convinced by the intensity of his desire to become a priest, he persisted. Result: St Patrick is one of the most powerful priests that ascended the Altar of God. Not just that, St Patrick was consecrated the Bishop of all Ireland.
The Gospel today speaks of mercy.
The message of mercy can never be overstated. “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful."
What is mercy?
Mercy is not judging, not criticizing, not condemning anyone. Mercy is forgiving every offense as we have been forgiven. Mercy is sharing your bread with the hungry. Mercy is generosity. Mercy is being like God, acting like God.
Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. The ABC of Mercy helps us to remember how to do this.
A - Ask for mercy.
B - Be merciful.
C - Completely trust Jesus for mercy.
"I will not abandon or forsake you. I am faithful. I have chosen you and you are Mine. Why do you doubt My love for you? Have I not given you signs of My favour? Have I not shown you that My mercy has prepared for you a future full of hope? Did I not promise you years of happiness, of holiness, and of peace? My blessing is upon you and the designs of My Heart are about to unfold for you. You have only to trust Me. Believe that I will keep you as the apple of My eye." (IN SINU JESU, Thursday, February 14, 2008).
Ask St Joseph whom we honor in March to obtain for you the grace to forgive all your enemies.
St Joseph is the man chosen by God to be the foster father and guardian of Jesus.
Memorare to St. Joseph
Remember, O most chaste spouse of the Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who implored your help and sought your intercession were left unassisted. Full of confidence in your power I fly unto you and beg your protection. Despise not O Guardian of the Redeemer my humble supplication, but in your bounty, hear and answer me. Amen.
