The Memorial of St Scholastica

Gen. 2:4-9.15-17, Mk 7:14-23. Today's first reading places the responsibilities of the garden of Eden on Adam and describes the garden as a place filled with all kinds of delightful things to eat. God intervenes in human history to bring abundant of life as He breathed into man the breath of life. The garden was not the result of human ingenuity but was prepared in advance by God to make all things available for man. The wisdom to make the best use of the world also comes from God, with our intellect illumined by His assisting grace. It is a wisdom that includes a humble attitude to care for the earth and the strength to control our selfish desires. The sensitivity towards God, a remembrance in prayer of God’s gracious acts for us in the past, a joy from offering praise and adoration to our Maker, these belong to the wisdom by which good judgment is formed. Without wisdom, evil can entice us away from the right path.

In today's Gospel, Jesus develops this traditional idea, that external things are part of God’s good creation. What we eat or drink is clean and healthy and are gifts from God of life. Evil comes from within the human heart, from whose wicked desires flow, such as: fornication, theft, murder, greed, arrogance and an obtuse spirit. Hence, we are called to form a good heart like that of Christ whose image is found in the Sacred Heart. This image declares that at God’s inner core is a totally selfless love, a love revealed fully in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. This greater love is powerfully creative and life-giving. Our hearts should in some senses reflect the simplicity of St Scholastica (480 - 547) with an inner core linked to God’s inner core. Scholastica was born in Nursia in about 480, the twin sister of St Benedict. She was dedicated to God from an early age and followed her brother to Cassino, where she died in about 547.

May the Lord give us true knowledge of His mercy so that we may renounce our pride and be filled with the riches of His grace! Amen!! Good morning, peace be with you!!!