Memorial of St. Charles Borromeo
Reflection
An Invitation……
Today’s Gospel selection relates Jesus’ parable of a generous man giving a great dinner, inviting many – and yet “one by one, they all began to excuse themselves.” The excuses offered for not participating in the festive dinner were varied (and perhaps a bit dubious…the invitee just purchased a field, or a yoke of oxen). The dinner host then directed that those first invited be replaced by people from the streets and alleys – the poor, the crippled, the blind, the lame. The host wanted a full house so many people would enjoy the special dinner. Jesus’ message in the parable? God freely offers us the gift of faith in Jesus and thus Life Eternal; we are free to accept or reject that invitation…with resulting blessings or challenges!
Saint Paul writes his Roman community and reminds them of the gifts they have received from God, unique to each of them. Paul’s listing includes ministry, prophecy, teaching, exhortation, generosity, diligence, mercy, etc. – all hopefully flowing from their sincere love of God and others. Paul is truly a dynamic “cheerleader,” encouraging the faithful of his time – and us! — to let our faith come alive and reach out to our sisters and brothers, especially those on the margins.
The invitation to faith and a life of loving service was shared with today’s saint, St. Charles Borromeo — a zealous person of the 16th Century Church, credited for helping reform and renew the Church in a variety of ways.
As a bishop and Cardinal, Charles was one to encourage the intellectual and moral growth of clergy and religious, especially in forming new seminaries. He helped author the catechism that was called for during the Council of Trent and started the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD) for children’s growth in their faith. He held many special gatherings in his home diocese of Milan, seeking to incorporate the message and teachings of the Council of Trent. In all this, he reached out to the poor and needy of his day, sacrificing wealth, honor and influence to serve them – even in the dramatic challenges of the plagues and famines of his day. Charles ministered to the sick, the hungry, and the dying — a zealous man who lived but a relatively short 46 years!
We are personally invited by Jesus to regularly share at the table of the Eucharist and to lives of service to those in special need. The invitation is ours as women and men of faith – and to then generously live our vocations as true disciples of Jesus and faithful citizens of our world. With God’s help, may we bypass the weak excuses and then respond with a lived, resounding “yes!” as did Charles Borromeo and countless other holy women and men. With all the saints and blesseds, may we witness credible, sincere, Christ-like love.
