Homily- Saturday of the 15th
Week in Ord Time Yr. B/opt mem. St. Camillus de Lellis
v Micah
2:1-5
v Ps
10:1-2,3-4,7-8,14
v Matt
12:14-21
Service with Humility and
Prudence
Today is the memorial (optional
for some) of Saint Camillus de Lellis, an Italian priest, who lived between 1550
and 1614. He began his life as a successful young military personnel consumed in
addiction and gambling. Fortunately, he changed his course, with the grace of
God and devoted his time in humble service to the sick of all categories.
Imagine, what modern day hospital wards would
look like, in different parts of the world, our continents, especially in this
time of covid-19. To such were the beneficiaries of the humble services of
Saint Camillus de Lellis, who saw Christ and the prophets as his role models.
His role model was the
humble Christ of today’s Matthew’s Gospel. Constantly been criticized by his opponent,
for acting mercifully on the Sabbath, especially the Pharisees as we say yesterday
(Matt 12:1-8), he never stopped helping people, preaching and curing diseases
with utter humility, with discretion and prudence; that is ”the practical
reason to discern in every circumstance one’s true good and to choose the right
means for achieving it.” In doing this Jesus chose to warn his disciples
never to inordinately, arrogantly, violently, publicize or defend his
achievements of services to the poor, the needy and to the sick. Some scholars
would later called this “Messianic Secrecy”! Christ chose, peace, humility and
non-violent approach to the gospel!
In our ministry today, do we chose the path or
the means of humility, peace, justice and prudence? I hope we do, as Christ,
his mother Mary and Saint Camillus de Lilies, because for some contemporaries
of the Prophet Micah of today’s first reading, they never did.
In dealing with others, the elite of that time
coveted fields, lands, and sized houses and property that belonged to the poor,
the sick and the voiceless of the society (Micah 2:1-5). To such arrogant,
unjust, corrupt and violent exploiters were directed the prophecy of Micah, a contemporary
of Isaiah (or his followers), who had also for long foretold the humble
services of Jesus, as we heard in that last pericope of today’s Gospel (Matt
12:14-21//Isa 42:1ff).
In sum, Christ’s life, that
of Mary, and those of Saint Camillus and of the prophets challenge us (leaders
and all citizens) to re-imagine how best we render services to our neighbors,
especially the sick, the aged, and the less privileged our societies, with humility
and utter prudence.
Reflection Questions
1.
In what way can we
relate to today’s scripture?
2.
Do we endeavor to
serve one another with humility and prudence?
3.
How often do we
promote peace an discourage violent in our nations and communities?
