The Catholic Calendar for Saturday, August 20, 2005
Saturday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary time
St. Bernard, abbot, doctor of the Church

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Ruth 2:1-3, 8-11; 4:13-17
Psalm 128:1-5
Matthew 23:1-12

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

How tremendously important is the virtue of humility. It is the one virtue that God cannot resist, meriting God's mercy and forgiveness of sin. Humility opens God's heart to bestow gifts in abundance, as he does to Ruth in today's first reading. Left a widow, she generously follows her mother-in-law, Naomi, in order to care for her in her old age. When noticed by Boaz, she falls at his feet, protesting his deferential treatment of her. Boaz is captured by her humble charm, and marries her. Thus does Ruth, a non-Jew, become the great-grandmother of King David. How God uses the humble as the instrument of his providence!

In today's Gospel, Jesus urges his followers to practice humility, whether we are in a position of great authority or small authority. Only then can He use us as He desires.

- Msgr. Paul Whitmore
(smartins@frontiernet.net)

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