FRIDAY 21ST AUGUST 2020
20TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR II
MEMORIAL OF ST. PIUS X (POPE)
HOW DO WE SHOW THAT WE LOVE GOD?
Today we celebrate the memorial of St. Pius X who was pope from 1903-1914. He was from a poor family of 10 children, but from childhood, he had already showed signs of exceptionalism. He was ordained a priest at the age of 23, and was later made bishop of both Mantua and Venice before he became pope in 1903. His zeal for the work of God and the church made him easily chosen to lead. He was very influential and he made a lot of contributions to the growth of the church in modern times. He insisted on the separation of church and state, stating that government must not meddle with religious activities and church leaders must stick with their religious activities. He was very principled that he revised the code of canon law. Because of the ignorance of the the scriptures among many Christians, he founded an institute for scriptural studies. He initiated the revision of the latin version of the bible and sought to reform the liturgy of the church.
Though he lived in the corridors of power, he was a very humble and simple man, he lived a life of poverty even as pope, and he was readily available to everyone that he preached every Sunday in the Vatican courtyards. Because of his holiness of life, the call for his canonisation started immediately after his death.
The greatest commandment as stated by Jesus in the gospel reading of today, which is love of God and love of neighbour is very evident in his life. It showed in the way he manage the church, which is the property of God that was handed over to him like St Peter. We can show our love for God and our neighbours in the way we manage what has been entrusted to us. God help us. Amen.
Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie MSP
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