WEDNESDAY REFLECTION
Midweek Reflection
18th August 2021
Sunday was the Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. I know you are all aware of that: but maybe not aware that in the Portico of St Peter’s Basilica are carved the names of the bishops who were present in Rome for the proclamation of the doctrine. Among them are the names of Archbishop Campbell of Glasgow, Bishop Edward Douglas of Motherwell and Bishop James Black of Paisley. How honoured they must have felt returning to Rome and seeing their names inscribed for all times on the pillars of the world’s greatest basilica! Two other feasts take place this week. On Friday, Saint Bernard of Clairvaux and on Saturday, Pope Saint Pius X.
Bernard’s writings reveal a solid grasp of biblical studies, spiritual theology and philosophy. Pius, who had been the Cardinal Patriarch of Venice, encouraged pastoral liturgy and sacramental practice, especially of frequent communion, to which he admitted young children. Both of them, in different ways and in different times taught that physical feeding and physical healing are not enough. Those gifts of Jesus satisfied their bodies, but not their minds and souls.
Jesus shows them….and us….that they….and we…. are to lead a worthy life, marked by humility, gentleness, tolerance and patience. Unity and peace. Constancy. Recognition of diversity of gifts for building up the body of Christ. Benedict and Pius would have been aware of the Rule of St Benedict who tells us to bear “with the greatest patience one another’s weaknesses of body or character.” He teaches, “You are not to act in anger or nurse a grudge…Do not repay one bad turn with another…If you have a dispute with someone, make peace with them before the sun goes down.” Then he adds, “Each of us has a special gift from God, one this and another that”. the lesson surely is clear. Those who contribute their gifts to the whole, will “bring us all together to everlasting life”.
Monsignor Monaghan
