Aug 25 – Memorial for St. Louis of France, married man; Memorial for St. Joseph Calasanz, priest, religious founder
As king of France, Louis (1214-1270) made numerous judicial and legislative reforms. He promoted Christianity in France; established religious foundations, aided mendicant orders, propagated synodal decrees of the Church, built leper hospitals, and collected relics.
“In prosperity, give thanks to God with humility and fear lest by pride you abuse God’s benefits and so offend him.” – St. Louis IX
St. Joseph Calasanz (1556-1648) and two fellow priests opened a small, free school for poor children. He was supervising several teachers and hundreds of students. When the school moved to larger quarters, the teaching priests were reorganised into a community recognised as a religious order called Le Sciole Pie (Religious Schools), also known as the Piarists, or Scolopii or Ordo Clericorum Regularium Pauperum Matris Dei Scholarum Piarum or Order of Poor Clerks Regular of the Mother of God of the Pious Schools; Joseph acted as superior of the Order.
The community encountered many obstacles. It was dissolved, then reorganised after Joseph’s death. They were restored as a religious order in 1669, and continue their good work today.
- Patron Saint Index
1 Ths 1:1-5,8-10
Mt 23:13-22
…faith in action…
What jumps out from today’s readings is the starkly different tone in Paul’s address, compared with that of Jesus in his address to the crowd.
In the first reading, Paul’s affirmation of the Thessalonians is clear – they had ‘shown their faith in action, worked for love and persevered through hope.’ (1 Ths 1:3). The community had shown that their conversion was real – that their hearts had opened up to Christ and, empowered by the Holy Spirit, they were changed from within. Recognising the true God, the community gave up their idolatrous ways of the past and helped spread the gospel, as they witnessed successfully by their changed lives.
Jesus’ harsh admonishment of the scribes and Pharisees in the gospel is so uncharacteristic of Him. Labelling them hypocrites, blind guides and fools, Jesus calls them out for misusing religion and turning it into a show for their personal glorification. Outwardly righteous and scrupulously correct in all matters of worship, they were inwardly corrupt. Their actions scandalised others through false teachings and ‘shutting up the kingdom of heaven in men’s faces.’ (Mt 23:14). There was nothing righteous about their behaviour – despite all the external ritualistic observances, their hearts were far from God, and they led others away from heaven by their actions and example. The message to us is clear – what matters more to God is the spirit of the law and not the letter. God looks at our hearts to judge if our love for Him is pure and our faith sincere.
The readings today are also timely reminders for us as disciples, and particularly those in leadership – whether as head of the household, in the office or in ministry. As I reflect, I ask myself if I am also guilty of hypocrisy — do I walk the talk? Is integrity a mark of my character? Humility is another trait that helps us serve others as leaders, and aligns us with Jesus, who came to serve and not to be served (Mt 20:28). We are to be careful not to fall into a vanity trap, seeking to be noticed and exalted when the greater honour should come from being pleasing to God. In my interactions with others, do I judge? Do I burden people with religious ‘rules’ without consideration or understanding of personal circumstances? In my valiant attempts to live right by God, do I end up missing the forest for the trees?
In yesterday’s gospel message, Jesus exhorted his listeners to strive to ‘enter through the narrow door.’ (Lk 13:3). Jesus, who declared himself to be ‘the Way, the Truth and the Life’ is really the one we focus on as the perfect model to imitate. God cares about our actions, but these must stem from a heart that loves Him first above all else. We pray for spiritual insight, for humility and for the desire to grow an authentic faith that brings hope and light to all who do not yet know Christ.
(Today’s OXYGEN by Corinne Cheok)
Prayer: Grant us Lord, an authentic and lively faith that seeks the truth always and hearts that desire to share your good news. May others see you reflected in our choices, words, thoughts and deeds, that our lives are authentic and glorify you.
Thanksgiving: We thank you, Lord for our leaders – for their vision, sacrifices, values and example, especially those who serve with hearts after your own.
OXYGEN 
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