May your priests, O Lord, be clothed with justice, and may your saints rejoice with joy (Ps 131:9).

 

May your priests, O Lord, be clothed with justice, and may your saints rejoice with joy (Ps 131:9).

Francis – later Padre Pio – was born in Italy in 1887 and died there in 1968. A spiritual heir of Saint Francis of Assisi, he was the first priest to have the stigmata of the Crucified imprinted on his body. He dedicated himself to the spiritual guidance of the faithful, to his assiduous attendance at confessions and to his love for the Eucharist. He alleviated the suffering of many families by building the hospital called “Casa Alívio do Sufrimento”. His example motivates us to grow in friendship with God and to be bearers of the light of Christ in all situations. First Reading: Proverbs 3:27-34 Reading from the Book of Proverbs – My son, 27do not refuse a favor to someone in need, if you are able to do it. 28Do not say to your neighbor, “Go away, come back tomorrow, and I will give you,” when you can give it right away! 29Do not plot evil against your neighbor when he lives with you in confidence. 30Do not sue without cause, if he has done you no wrong. 31Do not envy a violent man or choose any of his ways, 32for the Lord detests the wicked, but his friendship is with the upright. 33The Lord curses the house of the wicked, but blesses the dwelling of the righteous. 34He mocks the scoffers, but shows favor to the humble. – The word of the Lord. Responsorial Psalm: 14(15) The righteous will dwell on the holy mountain of the Lord. 1. “Lord, who may enter your house?” † He who walks without sin / and faithfully practices righteousness; / who thinks the truth in his heart / and does not slander his tongue. – R. 2. Who does not wrong his brother / nor insult his neighbor; / who does not value the wicked, / but honors those who fear the Lord. – R. 3. Who does not lend his money at interest † nor takes a bribe against the innocent. / Whoever lives like this will never waver! – R. Gospel: Luke 8,16-18 Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. You are the light of the world; let your light shine to all. / When they see your works, let them give glory to your heavenly Father! (Mt 5,16) – R. Proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Luke – At that time, Jesus said to the crowd: 16“No one lights a lamp and covers it with a vessel or puts it under a bed; instead, he puts it on a stand, so that everyone who comes in may see the light. 17For everything that is hidden must become manifest, and everything that is kept secret must become known and made plain. 18Therefore pay attention to how you listen! For to everyone who has, more will be given; and from the one who has nothing, even what he thinks he has will be taken away.” – Word of salvation. Reflection: The Word of God, says the psalmist, “is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Ps 119:105). The prophet Isaiah reinforces this concept: “The Lord himself will be an everlasting light for you” (Is 60:20). With the explanation of the parable of the sower, the disciples were enlightened. They should not keep the teaching to themselves, but communicate it to others. It is important that this “light” illuminate “all who are in the house” (Mt 5:15). This is a valid message for Christians of all times and places, since “the Word of God is not chained” (2 Tim 2:9). It is not enough to listen superficially to the Word; it would be a wasted treasure. We must listen actively. The more a person surrenders himself to God without calculations, the more God manifests himself to him without measure. (Day by Day with the Gosp