Friday of the 5th week in the ordinary time
Theme: An invitation to holiness
Today the church celebrates the memorial of St. Scholastica, a virgin, she was the twin sister of St. Benedict of Nursia. They both founded religious communities and lived a prayerful life. A popular story about St. Scholastica and his brother St. Benedict is said to have happened towards the end of the life of St. Scholastica. The brother Benedict visited her, and she pleaded that he should spend the night with his monks in her community, but he refused and the sister prayed that God should keep her brother with her; and her prayer was answered, because there was great storm and St. Benedict could not return back to his monastery with his monks and they passed the night. One thing that is very clear about the Saint we celebrate today, is the fact that she had a good relationship with God, and she was very prayerful.
Today as we celebrate her memorial, we are all encouraged to build a good prayer life and a good relationship with God, just like St. Scholastica and her brother St. Benedict did. The word of God continues to encourage us to emulate our ancestors in faith by living according to the gospel imperatives in our daily lives.
The good news, my sisters and brothers, is the fact that people have done it in the past and people are still doing it in our own time; it simply means you and I can also do it. The first step towards making this happen is for us to resolve that we want to make it happen in our life and begin to work on it immediately; and the grace of God will supply whatever is left for us to achieve our heart desire. Remember, it is never too late to begin what is good and right.
In the 1st reading of today, we see how lack of contentment can easily lead one astray. The serpent was able to deceive the woman because of her curiosity and the fact that she wanted to be like God, and she also convinced Adam to join in her quest. At the end of the day, they lost everything and could not be like God. My brothers and sisters in Christ, we must learn to be contented, especially when God is involved. One thing that is certain is that God will never lead us astray, just allow him to lead while you follow behind, and you will never regret it.
We pray that through the intercession of St. Scholastica, God will grant us the grace to attain holiness of life, in the name of the father and of the son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Peace be with you.