21 June 2022
Memorial of Saint Aloysius Gonzaga, Religious
In today’s Gospel Jesus gives three pieces of advice to his followers. First: respect what is sacred. Be patient with the development of doctrine and with those who resist such development. Faith evolves in individuals and in the Church.
Second. Because growth takes place in time, there is the Golden Rule: “Treat others the way you would have them treat you.” We should recognize there are sincere people in the Church who disagree about matters of piety, liturgy, politics etc. Without compromising the truth, we should treat them as we would want them to treat us. In the light of yesterday’s meditation, we should pray for peace.
Third. Jesus does not deny difficulties in following the way he has pointed for our salvation. He leaves us free to choose how to obtain what we want, what will bring us happiness. He is the way. He does not minimize the struggles we have in following him, but he assures us that he is always at our side to help us.
Finally, today is the feast of St. Aloysius Gonzaga, the patron of young men. No group today needs to be shown the way more than the young men of our society. Pray to St. Aloysius that he take special care of our young men, that they be able to hear Christ’s invitation to follow him, the way, the light, the truth.