Blessed are the Meek for They Shall Inherit the Earth.

(Homily for November 4, 2017).


“But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes he may say to you, `Friend, go up higher'; then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at table with you.” Luke 14:10 

Out of all the beatitudes, there is one that always kept me wondering. It is that which talks about us inheriting the earth. Why would Jesus even include such a beatitude? What are we supposed to do with the earth when our attention should focus only on the kingdom of heaven? After all, virtually all other beatitudes have heaven (the kingdom of God) as their direct benefit.

However, in today’s Gospel passage, Jesus gave a wonderful parable which contains all the answers to my questions. There is surely a reward for humility (meekness) and that reward is one that we begin to enjoy right here on earth. I mean, for humility, we don’t have to wait till when our life is over to see the benefits.

In other words, as long as enjoying our lives on earth is concerned, we cannot afford to toil with this virtue of humility. The secret of greatness is humility. Once we are able to bring ourselves down, people will instantly raise us up. Trust me, no one likes a proud person, no one. Even those who are proud find themselves uneasy when they meet a fellow proud person.

I must learn from Jesus today to stop trying to assert myself over and above others. Raising myself above others does not and will never bring me any good.

Today we remember St. Charles Borromeo. As an Archbishop, Borromeo was a great reformer. His strategy was to provide education to many clergy he saw as ignorant. He founded schools and seminaries and colleges for clergy. He also ended the selling of indulgences, a form of simony (Catholic Catechism #2120), and ordered monasteries to reform themselves.

In 1576 a famine struck Milan followed by the plague, and many of the wealthy and powerful fled the city. Archbishop Borromeo remained. He used his own fortune to feed the starving people. When that money was spent, he took loans and went deep into debt. He may have fed 70,000 people per day. Eventually, the Archbishop convinced the local governor to return to his post and care for the people.

In 1584, he became ill with a fever. He returned to Milan where his conditioned worsened. When it became obvious he would die, he was given his last Sacraments. He died on November 3, at the age of 46. He was beatified on May 12, 1602 by Pope Paul V. He was subsequently canonized by Pope Paul V on November 1, 1610.

St. Charles Borromeo's feast day is celebrated on November 4. He is the patron of bishops, catechists, Lombardy, Italy, Monterey, California, cardinals, seminarians, and spiritual leaders.

Let us Pray: Lord Jesus, teach me to humble myself. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Saturday of the 30th Week in Ordinary time. Bible Study:  Romans 11:1-29 and Luke 14:1-11.

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