October 14

Saint Callistus I
Pope and Martyr

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Today’s Gospel: Luke 11:42-46
(Justice and the Love of God)

“But woe to you Pharisees! for you tithe mint and rue and every herb, and neglect justice and the love of God; these you ought to have done, without neglecting the others. Woe to you Pharisees! for you love the best seat in the synagogues and salutations in the market places. Woe to you! for you are like graves which are not seen, and men walk over them without knowing it." One of the lawyers answered him, "Teacher, in saying this you reproach us also." And he said, "Woe to you lawyers also! for you load men with burdens hard to bear, and you yourselves do not touch the burdens with one of your fingers.”

Reflection:

My friends, look at this list from Paul: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control! That’s the fruit of the Holy Spirit, and there is no law against any of it. Imagine a whole neighborhood growing that kind of fruit. People won’t need an argument to believe; they’ll just want to taste what you have. The most powerful evangelizing tool is a life full of the Holy Spirit’s fruit.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus reminds us what matters most: justice and the love of God. Everything else, even the good and careful things, is meant to flow from that love. So, the question for every missionary is simple: do I love God first of all, before anything and anyone else? When our hearts are anchored there, we have nothing to prove and everything to give. And love always finds the right words.

Saint Callistus knew all about second chances. Born a slave, he became the Pope, and he welcomed repentant sinners back with open arms. Now think of Mary: she is the Spirit’s masterpiece, the one whose life shows every fruit on that list in full bloom. Her joy sang the Magnificat, her peace stood at the Cross, and her kindness noticed a wine shortage at a wedding. When we are Beneath the Standard of Mary, we learn to bear fruit like our Mother.

Which fruit of the Spirit do people see most in you, and which one would you love to grow? What would it mean for the people around you to see more of it? Ask Our Lady, the Spirit’s fairest garden, to help you bloom.

 

Rosary Man Jim 🌹
Freely given. Freely shared.

Location: Tonawanda, NY 14150, USA

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