Father in heavn
cares for you.
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| Matthew, by Pompeo Batoni (1708-1787) |
Mt. 10:24-33
Saturday, 12 July 2014
Saturday of the Fourteenth week in Ordinary Time Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 10:24-33.
Jesus said to his Apostles: “No disciple is above his teacher, no slave above his master.
It is enough for the disciple that he become like his teacher, for the slave that he become like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more those of his household!
Therefore do not be afraid of them. Nothing is concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known.
What I say to you in the darkness, speak in the light; what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops.
And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna.
Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father's knowledge.
Even all the hairs of your head are counted.
So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
Everyone who acknowledges me before others I will acknowledge before my heavenly Father.
But whoever denies me before others, I will deny before my heavenly Father."
It is enough for the disciple that he become like his teacher, for the slave that he become like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more those of his household!
Therefore do not be afraid of them. Nothing is concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known.
What I say to you in the darkness, speak in the light; what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops.
And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna.
Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father's knowledge.
Even all the hairs of your head are counted.
So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
Everyone who acknowledges me before others I will acknowledge before my heavenly Father.
But whoever denies me before others, I will deny before my heavenly Father."
Commentary of the day :
Thomas of Celano (c.1190-c.1260), biographer of Saint Francis and Saint Clare
The First Life of Saint Francis, §58 (trans. Franciscan Institute of St Bonaventure University, alt.)
Having come to a place very near to where there was a large flock of birds, blessed Francis noticed that they were waiting for him. He gave them his usual greeting and, as the birds did not take to flight as was their custom, told them they were to listen to the word of God and humbly begged them to listen carefully.
Amongst other things, he said to them: “My brother birds, you should greatly praise your Creator and love him always. He clothed you with feathers and gave you wings for flying and everything you need to live on. Among all God’s creatures you have the most grace. He gave you the freedom of the air and its purity. You neither sow nor reap. He nevertheless gives you food and shelter without your least care” (Mt 6,26). At these words, as both the saint and his companions testified, the birds expressed their joy a great deal in their own way. They stretched their necks, spread their wings, opened their beaks and looked at him attentively. He went to them, going to and fro among them, touching their heads and their bodies with his tunic. They did not leave the place until, having made the sign of the cross, he blessed them and gave them permission. Then he went on his way with his companions and, rejoicing, gave thanks to God who is thus acknowledged and venerated by all his creatures.
Francis was not simple minded, but he had the grace of simplicity and thus began to accuse himself of negligence because he had not preached to the birds before, seeing that these creatures listened so respectfully to the word of God. From that day on, he carefully exhorted birds, beasts, and even inanimate creatures to praise and love the Creator.
Amongst other things, he said to them: “My brother birds, you should greatly praise your Creator and love him always. He clothed you with feathers and gave you wings for flying and everything you need to live on. Among all God’s creatures you have the most grace. He gave you the freedom of the air and its purity. You neither sow nor reap. He nevertheless gives you food and shelter without your least care” (Mt 6,26). At these words, as both the saint and his companions testified, the birds expressed their joy a great deal in their own way. They stretched their necks, spread their wings, opened their beaks and looked at him attentively. He went to them, going to and fro among them, touching their heads and their bodies with his tunic. They did not leave the place until, having made the sign of the cross, he blessed them and gave them permission. Then he went on his way with his companions and, rejoicing, gave thanks to God who is thus acknowledged and venerated by all his creatures.
Francis was not simple minded, but he had the grace of simplicity and thus began to accuse himself of negligence because he had not preached to the birds before, seeing that these creatures listened so respectfully to the word of God. From that day on, he carefully exhorted birds, beasts, and even inanimate creatures to praise and love the Creator.
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