Memorial of Saint Bernard, Abbot and Doctor of the Church
August 20, 2024

Today’s Readings:

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/082024.cfm

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And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters
or father or mother or children or lands
for the sake of my name will receive a hundred times more,
and will inherit eternal life.
But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.
Matthew 19:29-30

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Today’s Gospel builds on yesterday’s theme: what is it that we have to give up to inherit eternal life? We might interpret this Gospel passage to mean that we have to give up everything to achieve perfection – “houses, brothers, sisters…”.

But I think it means not so much what we have to give up as what we need to acquire. We need to acquire that absolute thirst for God that allows us, when necessary, to put everything else aside.

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Thought:

“A thousand half-loves must be forsaken
to take one whole heart home.”

Rumi

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Music: Kyrie from Missa Solemnis – Beethoven