TAKING OUR PICK AMONG GREAT MEN
Our liturgy for today presents to us various men whom we can hold as paragons of virtue and value. Whether it is King David (as praised in the book of Sirach in the First Reading), or John the Baptizer (as narrated in the Gospel), or Saints Blaise or Ansgar (from the optional liturgical memorials of today) — they all deserve our admiration and emulation.
The diversity among such men gives us more access and possibility to venerate and imitate them. David was of royalty while John the Baptist was like a revolutionary in the desert. St. Blaise was a bishop in Armenia while St. Ansgar evangelized the Scandinavian countries. This variety only shows that righteousness and holiness know no bounds, and that the call to holiness is for all, regardless of state of life, social ranking, ethnicity, etc. It’s as though we can take our pick!
In the end, it all redounds to God’s greatness and glory, anyway. As our Responsorial Psalm today puts it, “The Lord lives! And blessed be my Rock! Extolled be God my savior... You who gave great victories to your king and showed kindness to your anointed...”
Having such brilliant models is reason enough to praise and magnify Him: “Therefore I will proclaim you, O Lord, among the nations, and I will sing your praise to your name.” Fr. Martin Macasaet, SDB
REFLECTION QUESTIONS: Who among the saints do you want to imitate? Which of their virtues do you want to develop in your life?
Lord Jesus, grant me perseverance to pursue a life of holiness in the midst of sinfulness around me. Amen.
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