Reflection on Today’s Readings, Monday of 20th Week in Ordinary Time, Year I, August 21st, 2023
Texts: Judges 2:11-19; Psalm 106 105:34-37,39-40,43-44; Matthew 19:16-22 

We see in today’s gospel reading that attachment to possession does hinder our spiritual growth. Having eternal life is keeping the commandments but perfection is being Poor in the spirit. Attachment to possession hinders perfect Relationship with God. This is true in the life of the rich man of today’s gospel reading. We read, “Jesus said to him, ‘If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.’ When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful; for he had great possessions.” 

Today’s first reading is an account of imperfect relationship Israel had with God. It was a relationship marked with unfaithfulness, repentance, conversion, forgiveness, faithfulness and back to unfaithfulness again. Sins marred the relationship of the people with God. Today’s gospel reading reveals that the imperfect relationship is as result of attachment to possession. Hence, we are to be poor in spirit if we want to have perfect relationship with God. However, we cannot be poor in spirit unless we love God above all things. We are to love God above all things.  

The memorial of St. Pius X

St. Pius X, whose memorial is today, was poor in spirit even as a Pope, having no attachment to possession. He came from a poor family and rose to the position of papacy. He was elected Pope against his own will. He devoted his papacy to restoration of all things in Christ. Church witnessed reformation during his papacy.  He brought about the separation of Church and state. “He revised the code of Canon Law, founded an institute for scriptural studies, and initiated the revision of the Latin translation of the Bible (the Vulgate) and the reform of the liturgy” (Universalis).  

Prayer  

O God, who to safeguard the Catholic faith and to restore all things in Christ, filled Pope Saint Pius the Tenth with heavenly wisdom and apostolic fortitude, graciously grant that, following his teaching and example, we may gain an eternal prize. Amen (collect) 

Fr. Andrew Olowomuke