Feast of Saint Francis of Paola

Good morning. Both the Gospel for today and the life example of our Saint for today offer considerable insight into how to enjoy a successful marriage. Both the Gospel and our Saint for today, Saint Francis of Paola note the importance of focusing our lives away from our selves as a being a critical means of being able to truly love and know joy in one’s life. “Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Luke 18:14) Humility is like a window in our marital relationship, it allows light to enter the marriage, the light found in truth. The Gospel from the book of Luke this morning reminds us that it is in humility that we come to know truth. It is only through the virtue of humility that we truly come to be in union with Our Creator and to imitate and live out the love found in that relationship with God. Without having a proper understanding of our relationship with God, who is love, it is not possible to have a truly loving relationship with ourselves or others. It is in this sense of humility that we come know and appreciate the joy and sense of freedom found in loving for the sake of love. This liberating awareness of truth is especially significant in appreciating the importance and liberating joy found in forgiveness, a critical element for any successful marriage. Saint Francis of Paola reminds us that not allowing ourselves to forgive separates us from what is good, the joy and freedom found in a relationship based upon love and truth. It is in embracing humility that we are able to see the truth, and imitate the truth in our own lives and in our relationship with our spouse and be open to forgive. Saint Francis is quoted as saying, “Take pains to refrain from sharp words. Pardon one another so that later on you will not remember the injury. The recollection of an injury is itself wrong. It adds to our anger, nurtures our sins and hates what is good. It is a rusty arrow and poison for the soul. It puts all virtue to flight.” So, let’s open a window and let some light and fresh air into our marriage today. Make a great day!

Today we recall the good life, gifts, and works of Saint Francis of Paola.