MEMORIAL OF ST FRANCES XAVIER CABRINI, WEDNESDAY OF THE THIRTY-SECOND WEEK OF ORDINARY TIME, NOVEMBER 13, 2024

MASS READINGS:

Gospel

Lk 17:11-19

As Jesus continued his journey to Jerusalem, he traveled through Samaria and Galilee. As he was entering a village, ten lepers met him. They stood at a distance from him and raised their voice, saying, “Jesus, Master! Have pity on us!” And when he saw them, he said, “Go show yourselves to the priests.” As they were going they were cleansed. And one of them, realizing he had been healed, returned, glorifying God in a loud voice; and he fell at the feet of Jesus and thanked him. He was a Samaritan. Jesus said in reply,“Ten were cleansed, were they not? Where are the other nine? Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks to God?” Then he said to him, “Stand up and go; your faith has saved you.”

REFLECTION:

 "Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks to God?”

In Monday's readings, Jesus taught about repentance, forgiveness and faith. We are to rebuke sinners, though family and friend strain may happen, and we are to forgive as many times as one says " I am sorry". To do such, we must have the faith of a size of a mustard seed, knowing that through faith and grace nothing is impossible. And we shall see the fruits of our labor.

In Tuesday's readings, we were shown what Jesus expects the attitude of a servant should be. Committed to our role and duties, we should not grow complacent or lackadaisical, stopping our work because we are tired. The command to love as I have loved you takes us to a higher dimension as we are reminded to love until the end.

Difficult, we might murmur. How can one love as Jesus? We are human! Yet it is our goal to be and to act divine and to be a part in the body of Christ.

Today's readings and the Saint of the day are lessons in mercy and gratitude, taught to us by the kindness and love of Jesus. The lepers have heard of Jesus, and waiting for Him outside the forbidden entrance to the village, they ask Him for pity. And all were healed, but only one, a Samaritan, came back to thank Him. The healed leper demonstrated his gratefulness to the mercy shown by God, stopping, going back and glorifying the Lord with homage.

St Thomas Aquinas, great Doctor of the Church, said "Mercy does not destroy justice, and justice without mercy is cruelty." Mercy remedies the weakness of others, and if sin is involved, turning away from wrongdoing and toward repentance is a result.

St Mother Frances Xavier Cabrini had a difficult mission. She was to help the Italian immigrants in New York, deal with, meet, discuss and convince the government officials of the need of orphanages, hospitals and sanitation for the squalid neighborhoods. Many of their works were funded through alms and begging.

Through the grace of God she was able to travel to many countries, establishing her religious order and helping the destitute. “ We must pray without tiring, for the salvation of mankind does not depend upon material success...but on Jesus alone" was one of her famous quotes.

Sorrow in her heart, St Frances Cabrini tried to remove suffering in another's misfortune as it were her own, doing anything within her power for the person who needed help. The first American citizen to be canonized, the "Patroness of Immigrants" is an example of repentance, forgiveness, faith, loving until the end, mercy to those in need and gratitude for everything, St Mother Cabrini is one powerful example of all these teachings.

Faith and the grace of God show us how God deals with us. Whether we receive immediately, receive later or never receive but live in His divine will, gratefuness for His mercy is always good.

God bless you.