Fr Kevin Kilgore

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Gospel: Matthew 16: 24-28

Jesus said to his disciples,
“Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself,
take up his cross, and follow me.
For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it,
but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world
and forfeit his life?
Or what can one give in exchange for his life?
For the Son of Man will come with his angels in his Father’s glory,
and then he will repay each according to his conduct.
Amen, I say to you, there are some standing here
who will not taste death
until they see the Son of Man coming in his Kingdom.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

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Who do you know more about, Saint Francis of Assisi or Saint Clare?

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Most of us would probably say, “Saint Francis of Assisi.”

He was a lover of animals; he started the Franciscans; he was an itinerant preacher; he lived in Italy; and he wrote that fabulous prayer, “Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.”

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But what about Saint Clare? Who was she?

Both Francis and Clare were born into wealthy Italian families. Both jettisoned their fortunes to follow the Lord. Both are considered Saints. They were also best friends.

Clare was drawn to Francis’ deep spirit and jovial nature. In fact, they became so close that Clare founded a second order of the Franciscans, the Poor Clares.

To this day, both religious orders remain active around the world, some 800 years after their founding.

But what draws me to Saint Clare is the fact that, unlike Francis, she’s largely forgotten. 

Although they were very close friends; although they both helped rebuild and reform the Church; although they both made incredible sacrifices to follow the Lord, Francis receives most of the recognition.

And for Clare, that was okay. She didn’t need the spotlight; so long as God was glorified.

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Claire reminds us that every Christian should seek to build the Kingdom of God in two ways, through humility and friendship. 

Find people who bring out the best in us, who challenge us to become better, more humble servants, who sanctify our spirit much like Francis did for Clare. 

Do I have such a friend? And, more importantly, can I be such a friend?

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Gospel: John 12: 24-26

Jesus said to his disciples:
“Amen, amen, I say to you,
unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies,
it remains just a grain of wheat;
but if it dies, it produces much fruit.
Whoever loves his life loses it,
and whoever hates his life in this world
will preserve it for eternal life.
Whoever serves me must follow me,
and where I am, there also will my servant be.
The Father will honor whoever serves me.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

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Would you believe that more Christians died for their faith in the 20^th century than in every other century combined?

While we are safe here in America, this isn’t the case for many, particularly in the developing world.

Too often, Christians are forced into professing their faith at the expense of their lives.

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This was also the story of Saint Lawrence, whose feast day we celebrate today.

In the year 258 AD, the Roman Emperor Valerian issued a decree that any Christian found must be killed. 

Many would understandably run and hide. But Saint Lawrence went about his business, distributing food, clothing, and money to those in need. 

Inevitably, when he was found by the local prefect, Lawrence was brought to Valerian, who ordered him to hand over the treasure of the Church, which Valerian believed he was giving to the poor.

Lawrence promised that he would, but asked for three days to collect the Church’s treasure. So, he went throughout the city, gathered all of the poor, the sick, and the dying. 

Standing before Valerian, he said: “Behold the treasure of the Church!”

Enraged, Valerian killed Lawrence by tying him to a red-hot grill.

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While not every Christian faces that type of persecution, Lawrence reminds us that the real treasure of the Church is the poor among us. 

May we always maintain his focus, never wasting an opportunity to encounter Christ.

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Image credits: (1) St. Lawrence, Tintoretto (2) Early Church History, WordPress (3) Pennys From Heaven Foundation

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Gospel: Matthew 15: 21-28

At that time Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon.
And behold, a Canaanite woman of that district came and called out,
“Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David!
My daughter is tormented by a demon.”
But he did not say a word in answer to her.
His disciples came and asked him,
“Send her away, for she keeps calling out after us.”
He said in reply,
“I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”
But the woman came and did him homage, saying, “Lord, help me.”
He said in reply,
“It is not right to take the food of the children
and throw it to the dogs.”
She said, “Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps
that fall from the table of their masters.”
Then Jesus said to her in reply,
“O woman, great is your faith!
Let it be done for you as you wish.”
And her daughter was healed from that hour.

The Gospel of the Lord.

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When it comes to begging for food, dogs have no shame – they’ll weep and woof until they get their share from the dinner table. 

Imagine those soft puppy eyes staring at you, timed with the perfectly pitched whimper. 

It can provoke compassion out of almost anyone.

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In today’s Gospel, a mom humbles herself to the point of acting like a puppy, begging Jesus for a miracle; her daughter is possessed by a demon.

Their conversation seems strange – perhaps lost in translation – but the point of it all is this: if Jesus chooses to, then he can easily heal her daughter.

He’s done it many times before – and will do it again. 

He appears hesitant only to provoke deeper faith out of her, which Jesus does. 

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This healing becomes one of only two which Jesus performs at a distance, the other being the healing of the centurion’s servant.

Perhaps it’s an appropriate reminder for us today that it is not necessary to either see or touch the Lord in order to experience his healing power. What is necessary is faith. 

Sometimes the Lord waits to answer our prayers in order to arouse deeper faith in us, as he did this desperate mother.

Like her, what’s something I either want or need from the Lord?

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May we never stop asking – not until our desperate displays of faith move the Lord to act.

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(1) NBC News (2) Christ and the Canaanite Woman, Jean-Germaine Drouais (3) Praying Dog, QuotesGram