9 October, Monday — Outsmarting God

Oct 9 – Memorial for Sts. Denis, Bishop, and Companions, Martyrs; Memorial for St. John Leonardi, Priest

St. Denis (d. 258) was a missionary to Paris, and its first bishop. His success roused the ire of local pagans, and he was imprisoned by the Roman governor. He was martyred in the persecutions of Valerius with Sts. Eleutherius and Rusticus. Legends have grown up around his torture and death, including one that has his body carrying his severed head some distance from his execution site. St. Genevieve built a basilica over his grave. His feast was added to the Roman calendar in 1568 by Pope St. Pius V, though it has been celebrated since 800.

• Patron Saint Index

St. John Leonardi (1541–1609) was the founder of the Clerks Regular of the Mother of God of Lucca. He was born in Lucca, Tuscany in 1541 and ordained a priest in 1572. He first dedicated himself to the Christian formation of young people in his parish of Lucca. Then he founded the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine.

In 1574, he founded a community charged to deepen faith and devotion; this foundation occurred as part of the movement known as the Counter-Reformation. He worked with this community to spread the devotion to the Virgin Mary, to the Forty Hours and to frequent Communion.

This foundation received approval from Pope Paul V in 1614. He took his work to Rome where he became friends with St. Philip Neri, who held him in high regard for his qualities of firmness and judgement, and entrusted him to delicate works such as the reform of the Benedictan congregation of Montevergine.

He then founded with J. Vives the seminary of the Propagation of the Faith. He died in 1609, after dedicating himself to his brothers suffering from the influenza epidemic that was raging in Rome at that time.

The final Rule of his community was published in 1851. Two houses of the Clerks of the Mother of God were opened when he died; three others were opened during the 17th century. He was beatified in 1861 and canonised in 1938.

• Patron Saint Index, Wikipedia

Jon 1:1-2:1,11
Lk 10:25-37

“…to disconcert Jesus…”

The first reading today talks of how Jonah receives instructions from God, but instead of carrying out His command to go to Nineveh, Jonah chooses to flee from Him. The Gospel talks about the Good Samaritan. In discerning what to share in my reflection today, both passages appeared to discuss diversely different topics.

As I sat with this longer, however, it became clear that there was a common thread tying both readings — challenging and second-guessing God.

While the story of Jonah appears to be written as a satire, Jonah’s disobedience comes across very clearly. The whole passage subsequently talks about Jonah’s trip on the Tarshish-bound ship. What I found interesting was Jonah’s nonchalance in the face of his disobedience (and the accompanying consequences). At the same time, the obviously-pagan sailors panicked, turning to their gods, before subsequently praying to the Lord and asking for forgiveness before throwing Jonah overboard to calm the seas.

In the Gospel, a lawyer tries to “disconcert” Jesus by asking Him a problematic question. Then, failing, he continues his efforts by following up with what he perceives to be another difficult question. The lawyer fails in troubling Jesus.

As I live in modern times, I remain in my ‘head’ space. I often depend on my logic and feelings to navigate everyday life. Honestly, though, while my thoughts tend toward pragmatism, biblical passages and messages I have gleaned from previous homilies often creep into my mind. Often, I find myself ‘chewing’ on these before finally deciding that the pragmatic approach was the way to go, only to discover that I had made errors in judgment. Despite these regular experiences, I continue to depend on my logic, feelings and ego, like what was seen in Jonah and the lawyer! 

Perhaps the issue is that I have failed to sensitise myself to the Lord’s promptings. If, like Mary, I spend time at His feet listening and reflecting on His word and His promptings, I would listen better. Today’s readings are a wonderful reminder for us to be open to our Lord.

(Today’s OXYGEN by Paul Wee)

Prayer: Father, help us to be open to You. Take away our arrogance and ego, and help us to have the courage to take difficult steps when it is Your prompting for us to do so.

Thanksgiving: Thank You, Jesus, for Your love and the strength You give us. We are grateful that You stand with us, no matter what happens.