WEEK 31 01 – Year II
Unity, Humility and Love:
St. Charles Borromeo
(Phil 2:1-4; Ps 131; Lk 14:12-14)
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“Unity, humility, love and reaching out to the poor and disadvantaged” sums up the readings, inviting us to live those values in our own lives. In his letter to the Philippians, St. Paul exhorts them to make his joy complete by their unity and oneness, accomplished through being of one mind, love for one another, and humbly putting the other members needs before their own. These words remind me of the lifestyle of the members of the L’Arche community for the mentally challenged.
The psalm echoes that refrain of humility and acceptance of “what is,” allowing a wonderful degree of serenity into one’s life. These stanzas recall the essential ingredients of a healthy, sound life – facing reality, accepting reality and dealing with reality, or as I like to put it, remembering, feeling and sharing.
Jesus, in the gospel, puts the emphasis on caring for and reaching out to the poor, as he dines at the home of a leading Pharisee. Jesus points out to his host the blessings coming to him when he includes the excluded – the ones society tends to ignore, marginalize, isolate and even oppress – those different than us – here identified as the poor, crippled, lame and blind.
These readings should inspire us to live out these values, each in our own way. Recently, I was greeted by a man standing outside a store in St. Albert who commented on the weather as I rushed by to mail some letters. My suspicion that he wanted more was confirmed as I returned to the car, and he asked me if I could spare some change for a homeless man. I immediately took out my change purse, gave him most of what was in it, and then went on my way.
Now, in retrospect, I realize I could have done much more. First, I could have emptied the purse, instead of holding a few coins back. More importantly, I could have entered into a conversation with him, learned more about his story and his life, and explored other ways I might have been able to help him out. I could have been more like late Deacon Hyland Fraser on our pilgrimage in Mexico City, who knelt before a couple begging on the sidewalk, gave them a blessing and received a blessing from them, before giving them a donation. I live in the hope maybe someday, my instinct will be not so much caring about my own agenda, but rather, to make the needs of the poor I encounter, my agenda.
St. Charles Borromeo, whom we honour today, lived during the Catholic Reformation. He was born in 1538 into an aristocratic family and, as second son, was expected to serve the Church. When his uncle became Pope Pius IV, Charles, only 22 years old, was created Cardinal Archbishop of Milan and Papal Secretary of State. Charles resided in Milan until his death in 1584. As archbishop, he chose to live an ascetic life, imposing severe discipline on both clergy and laity, thus provoking much opposition. His dedicated life entailed great personal sacrifice. He is a patron of catechist and catechumens.
I imagine the celebrations of the Eucharist St. Paul shared with the Philippians must have been like the celebrations of the Eucharist within the L’Arche community. It is both a source of unity, and a celebration of unity as we are molded into the Body of Christ through Word and Sacrament.
May our celebration today empower us to emulate both St Paul and the L’Arche movement in living out those values of our faith – unity, humility, love and reaching out to the poor.
