Can you guess what 3 virtues are needed to grow close to God?
In his book, “Introduction to the Devout Life”, St. Francis de Sales lists patience, humility, and meekness as the most essential virtues to live holy lives devoted to God.
What makes these so important?
Patience gives us the ability to endure trials and suffering, humility helps us see ourselves as we truly are in relation to the greatness of God, and meekness calms our tempers so that we may show God’s peace to others.
Jesus knew talented people who did not believe in Him and who wanted to kill Him. But He couldn’t be killed outside of Jerusalem. He had to die there.
A lot of people are educated beyond their abilities. When do you know that you are educated and have knowledge or are wise? Is it the letters after your name? I have letters after my name. That doesn’t mean I’m bright. What it means is that I can pass tests. When you are truly educated, you will also know humility. That’s because the more you learn, the more you realize that you don’t know everything.
Those who are truly educated are the ones you find around Christ. Think about the nativity scene. Who do you find around Jesus? You find three kinds of people. The pure and the innocent – the Blessed Mother and Saint Joseph; the very wise – the Wise Men; and the ignorant – the shepherds. The Wise Men knew they didn’t know everything, but they were humble and listened and were willing to be told to follow the Divine. The shepherds were ignorant and knew that they did not know anything. People did not know Jesus, and they did not want to.
Humility is the fruit of true knowledge. We know our Lord in humility. We know that He is love itself. And when we know Him and love Him, we will keep His commandments.
How will you apply this message to your life?
You can read all of Father Fitzgibbons’ sermons by going to http://AnnunciationCatholicAlbemarle.com/ and clicking on “Blog” then “Categories” and then “Sermon Notes.” Sermon notes can also be found on the church Facebook page by searching for “Facebook Our Lady of the Annunciation Albemarle”
When he died at the age of 23, Louis was already a Franciscan, a bishop, and a saint!
Louis’s parents were Charles II of Naples and Sicily, and Mary, daughter of the King of Hungary. Louis was related to Saint Louis IX on his father’s side and to Elizabeth of Hungary on his mother’s side.
Louis showed early signs of attachment to prayer and to the corporal works of mercy. As a child he used to take food from the castle to feed the poor. When he was 14, Louis and two of his brothers were taken as hostages to the king of Aragon’s court as part of a political deal involving Louis’s father. At the court, Louis was tutored by Franciscan friars under whom he made great progress both in his studies and in the spiritual life. Like Saint Francis he developed a special love for those afflicted with leprosy.
While he was still a hostage, Louis decided to renounce his royal title and become a priest. When he was 20, he was allowed to leave the king of Aragon’s court. He renounced his title in favor of his brother Robert and was ordained the next year. Very shortly after, he was appointed bishop of Toulouse, but the pope agreed to Louis’s request to become a Franciscan first.
The Franciscan spirit pervaded Louis. “Jesus Christ is all my riches; he alone is sufficient for me,” Louis kept repeating. Even as a bishop he wore the Franciscan habit and sometimes begged. He assigned a friar to offer him correction—in public if necessary—and the friar did his job.
Louis’s service to the Diocese of Toulouse was richly blessed. In no time he was considered a saint. Louis set aside 75 percent of his income as bishop to feed the poor and maintain churches. Each day he fed 25 poor people at his table.
Louis was canonized in 1317 by Pope John XXII, one of his former teachers. His liturgical feast is celebrated on August 19.
Reflection
When Cardinal Hugolino, the future Pope Gregory IX, suggested to Francis that some of the friars would make fine bishops, Francis protested that they might lose some of their humility and simplicity if appointed to those positions. Those two virtues are needed everywhere in the Church, and Louis shows us how they can be lived out by bishops.
The Bible in a Year with Fr. Mike Schmitz – Day 157: Following Jesus. Fr. Mike emphasizes that following Jesus as his disciples requires remarkable humility, faith, purity of heart, and courage. Today’s readings are Mark 7-8 and Psalm 23. Please note: The Bible contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children – parental discretion is advised.
