Wednesday, November 20 : Saint Leo the Great

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Mt 5:3)… Of this generous poverty the Apostles first, after the Lord, have given us example. Unhesitatingly leaving all they had at the voice of the heavenly Master, they were joyfully converted and abandoned the catching of fish to become fishers of men (Mt 4:18f.). Among the latter many became like themselves by imitating their faith; for with those first-children of the Church, “the community of believers was of one heart and mind” (Acts 4:32). Stripped of all their possessions, they were enriched with eternal goods thanks to holy poverty. Welcoming the Apostles’ preaching they rejoiced to have nothing in this world and yet possess all things in Christ. (2Cor 6:10). Hence the blessed apostle Peter, when he was going up to the temple and was asked for alms by a lame man, said, “I have neither silver nor gold but what I do have I give you: in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazorean, rise and walk” (Acts 3:6)… Peter healed him with a word; and he who did not have a coin with Cæsar’s image on it, restored on the man the image of Christ. And by the riches of this treasure not only was that one person aided whose power of walking was restored but also the five thousand men who then believed the apostle’s preaching because of this miracle (Acts 4:4). And Peter, that poor man who did not have anything to give him who asked for alms, bestowed so great a gift of divine grace that, not content with setting one man upright on his feet, he healed those many thousands of believers in their hearts by giving them faith.

Roman Extraordinary (Tridentine) Daily Readings – rosary,team