REFLECTION/HOMILY FOR TUESDAY OF THE TENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME – MEMORIAL OF SAINT ANTHONY OF PADUA, PRIEST & DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH

LIKE SAINT ANTHONY, WE ARE CALLED TO SHINE AS A BEACON OF LIGHT IN THE WORLD

First Reading: 2 Corinthians 1:18-22
Responsorial Psalm: Ps. 118(119):129-133,135
Gospel Reading: Matthew 5:13-16
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The readings for today serve as a reminder of our responsibility to faithfully and effectively serve as ambassadors of Christ’s love and truth. They encourage us to consider St. Anthony of Padua’s life and legacy, who exemplified these virtues which continue to motivate us now.

In the first reading, St. Paul discusses God’s faithfulness and reliability in keeping His promises. He reassures the Corinthians that God’s “Yes” to us through Christ is solid and unwavering. We are commanded to emulate God’s faithfulness in our own lives as Christ’s followers. Little wonder our saint of the day (St. Anthony of Padua) was a great example of this faithfulness because of his dedication to sharing the Gospel and helping God’s people. He answered the invitation to follow Christ faithfully and preach the good news of Christ’s mercy and love.

In an attempt to emulate St. Anthony’s examples in preaching the gospel, we must also show good examples by radiating our light and showing others the way, as Jesus invites us to do in today’s gospel reading. Here, Jesus calls His disciples to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. He challenges them to live in a way that reflects God’s love, truth, and goodness. St. Anthony of Padua embraced this call wholeheartedly. His life was a beacon of light, shining with the love of Christ, and his words were seasoned with the wisdom of the Gospel. He became known for his eloquence and his ability to touch people’s hearts through his preaching. St. Anthony reminds us that we too are called to be salt and light in the world, impacting others with the love and truth of Christ.

Dear friends in Christ, let us pray for the grace to imitate St. Anthony of Padua’s loyalty, love for God’s Word, and capacity to be a witness to Christ’s love as we ponder the readings and his life. May we make an effort to be obedient disciples, letting the truth of God shine through us in our words and deeds. May we, like St. Anthony, serve as examples and sources of hope for others, leading them to a closer connection with God. May we genuinely contribute to the world as salt and light, offering flavor, preservation, and illumination to everyone we come into contact with.

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Shalom!
© By Fr. Chinaka Justin Mbaeri, OSJ
Paroquia Nossa Senhora de Loreto, Vila Medeiros, São Paulo.
nozickcjoe@gmail.com / fadacjay@gmail.com
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PS: Have you prayed your Rosary today?