Selling Everything

Greetings on this the Optional Memorial of Saint Rose of Lima, virgin
Readings: 2 Cor 10:17B-11:2; Ps 148:1bc-2, 11-13a, 13c-14; Mt 13:44-46
Notes: I chose the optional memorial today. I already covered the seven woes yesterday. Saint Rose of Lima today. She was unusual and even excessive in her devotion to the Lord and rejection of sin. I am but a nothing compared to her devotion to the Lord!

Franciscans:

The first canonized saint of the New World has one characteristic of all saints—the suffering of opposition—and another characteristic which is more for admiration than for imitation—excessive practice of mortification.

Reflection

It is easy to dismiss excessive penances of the saints as the expression of a certain culture or temperament. But a woman wearing a crown of thorns may at least prod our consciences. We enjoy the most comfort-oriented life in human history. We eat too much, drink too much, use a million gadgets, fill our eyes and ears with everything imaginable. Commerce thrives on creating useless needs on which to spend our money. It seems that when we have become most like slaves, there is the greatest talk of “freedom.” Are we willing to discipline ourselves in such an atmosphere?

https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-rose-of-lima

First reading
Paul could be a real jerk sometimes. Then he writes this from the heart:

Brothers and sisters:
Whoever boasts, should boast in the Lord.
For it is not the one who recommends himself who is approved,
but he whom the Lord recommends.

If only you would put up with a little foolishness from me!
Please put up with me.
For I am jealous of you with the jealousy of God,
since I betrothed you to one husband
to present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.

Responsorial Psalm
Young men and women, praise the name of the Lord.

Alleluia Verse
Remain in my love, says the Lord;
whoever lives in me and I in him will bear much fruit.

Gospel Portion
When you read this gospel portion today.

Read it with this perspective.

This is how GOD seeks you.
You are HIS treasure.
You are HIS great pearl.
God ‘sold’ everything he has, including himself, to buy us.
In love, do likewise.

Jesus said to his disciples:
“The Kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field,
which a person finds and hides again,
and out of joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
Again, the Kingdom of heaven is like a merchant
searching for fine pearls.
When he finds a pearl of great price,
he goes and sells all that he has and buys it.”

In a similar way (like Saint Rose of Lima), when we fall in love with the Lord we sell everything in favor of His Presence. She was exemplar. We? Let’s just do what we can, aye?

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry