Blessed the man who fears the Lord. — Psalm 112
Mass reading: 3 John 5-8 / Luke 18:1-8
Today we celebrate the feast of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, a determined Italian woman who arrived in New York in 1889 with a plan to open a school and orphanage for homeless immigrant children. In the face of tremendous obstacles, she persisted to carry out and expand her mission to bring dignity and hope to the lives of the poor.
How fitting to honor St. Frances today, when the Gospel focuses on another persistent woman, and Jesus asks: “When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?” St. Frances was a sign of faith on earth, never wavering in her commitment to the Gospel. Are we a sign of faith in our families, parishes, communities and world? If Jesus were to arrive on our doorstep today, what would He find?
Prayer: Holy Spirit, give me the courage to be persistent in my faith every day.