Nov. 10, 2011 Thursday: Pope Leo the Great
St. Leo the Great, Pope and Doctor of the Church, memorial
What is a saint other than a soul conformed to Christ? Indeed, all Christians are called to this sanctity.
Leo bore the burden of the papacy at a trying time for the Church, threatened by numerous heresies and struggling amidst uncertain times for Roman civilization.
The book of Wisdom calls to mind that Wisdom is "firm, secure, tranquil." It is these traits that seem to be at stake in the Gospel reading, where Christ warns his disciples that, overwhelmed by desire for the Kingdom of God, many will lose patience and seek after what is more certain and more at hand: "There will be those who will say to you, 'Look, there he is,' or 'Look, here he is.'" To live a life based on faith is trying. It is easier to settle down upon what is closer at hand and what is more comfortable. Yet it is by faith alone that we are saved and elevated up beyond our fallen nature. We must have patience. We must be "firm, secure, tranquil" as we wait for the Lord.
Fr. Timothy Kieras, SJ
What is a saint other than a soul conformed to Christ? Indeed, all Christians are called to this sanctity.
Leo bore the burden of the papacy at a trying time for the Church, threatened by numerous heresies and struggling amidst uncertain times for Roman civilization.
The book of Wisdom calls to mind that Wisdom is "firm, secure, tranquil." It is these traits that seem to be at stake in the Gospel reading, where Christ warns his disciples that, overwhelmed by desire for the Kingdom of God, many will lose patience and seek after what is more certain and more at hand: "There will be those who will say to you, 'Look, there he is,' or 'Look, here he is.'" To live a life based on faith is trying. It is easier to settle down upon what is closer at hand and what is more comfortable. Yet it is by faith alone that we are saved and elevated up beyond our fallen nature. We must have patience. We must be "firm, secure, tranquil" as we wait for the Lord.
Fr. Timothy Kieras, SJ
