Romans 13:8-10; Psalm 112; Luke 14: 25-33
Today we celebrate Charles Borremeo, the patron of the SSND American “foundress,” Mother Mary Caroline. Again, some of the continuous readings can fit her spirit. The entrance antiphon is about good shepherding; Romans is about love as the complete fulfillment of the law. The gospel urges us to take up our cross even if it means leaving family “and even life itself,” as Caroline did on mission to the New World and wearing herself out opening schools and caring passionately for the students and their teachers. It is the psalm that characterizes her best: “They are gracious, merciful and just, they deal generously and lend...they have distributed freely, they have given to the poor…” Caroline even “lent” some SSND postulants to a Bavarian community who would be called the School Sisters of St. Francis!
Look at your lending today. To whom do you lend? To whom do you give freely? Why? How? Ask to give and not to count the cost.
They are literally crucifying children in Sudan, and we shrink from any pain or discomfort. Come to the aid of your people! Keep them safe “over there” and keep us generous over here!