TO BE VIRTUOUS IS TO LIVE FOREVER. (Homily for Tuesday of the 32nd Week in ordinary Time, Year B.)

Memorial of St. Leo the Great.
Bible Study:  Wisdom 2, 23 to 3, 9. And Luke 17, 7 to 10.


The fear of death is the greatest of fears any human being can have. The fact that no one can live forever is a mystery no one has ever been able to solve. Death has often being described as an insult, it shows no respect for anyone and it levels both the high and low alike. No one likes to hear or talk about it but the more we seem to avoid it at all costs, the more its reality continues to sweep us off our feet.

There is only one solution to death, that is, there is only way we can overpower death such that even when it comes, we are not taken unawares and we continue to live. The solution according to our first reading today from the book of Wisdom is LIVING A LIFE OF VIRTUE. It says “The souls of the virtuous are in the hands of God, no torment will ever touch them… they are at peace.

Holiness of life should not be considered as a luxury. It should be our main aspiration in life because at the end, if we strive to be virtuous every day, whenever death comes, we are thrown off balance. Instead of death preparing for us, we are now the ones preparing for death, the fear of death itself is no longer there as we know peace awaits us at the other side of eternity.

Jesus tells us in the Gospel passage this morning that we are nothing but mere servants. We should not expect to be rewarded for every single good that we do or get discouraged when it seems our efforts are not appreciated by others. At times, living a virtuous life seems very unrewarding and painful especially in a world where many prefer evil to good. But we are simply servants. By complaining, we only end up discouraging ourselves and making things even more difficult for ourselves. Whatever we suffer as a result of our attempts to live a holy life should be considered as Crosses of which Jesus commanded us to carry if we must follow him.

St. Leo the Great whose memorial we celebrate today represents an example of one who overcame death by living a virtuous life. Every year, on this day, millions of Catholics all over the world continue to remember his name. Countless churches have been named after him for his heroic life and the story of his life will continue to be told for generations to come. The essence of life is not to live forever but to leave an everlasting legacy behind. As a Pope, St. Leo restored discipline to the church during a very critical period of its history. He worked hard to crush certain heresies that were leading the faith of believers astray and through his intercession and pleading with relevant authorities prevented a total destruction of the city of Rome in the year 461. Not every pope was given the title “Great” but St. Leo was one of such well deserved popes.

Let us Pray:
Lord Jesus, teach me to conquer my fear of death by living a life of holiness and may I never become discouraged along this path. Amen.


Good morning. Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. 

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