Saturday, August 5th
Dedication of the Basilica of St. Mary Major
As Jesus was speaking a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said, "Happy the woman who bore you and the breasts you sucked". Jesus replied, "Still happier those who hear the word of God and keep it."
Luke 11:27-28

The truly sad and deprived people of the Father's world are those who reject that which is put into their heart and mind for their response and challenge to life and maturity. Tragically, the shape and pattern of their unique place and participation fades in their mind and they are left with a shapeless blank which invites problems of every kind. Not infrequently the spirit of despair takes over, sometimes of evil. And always the power on the throne of the mind and heart is the unredeemed self which reigns potently to the soul's destruction. As it is with individual so it is with the community and nation.

But the communities which seek truth and goodness for themselves and their people, the service of God and their fellowmen in all they think and plan and do, they prosper and preserve their land for people yet to come.

And for the individual child of the Father who hears the word of God and keeps it there rises up light in the darkness and joy in the centre of his being, whatever the external circumstances. Such are the salt of the earth; they continually gladden the heart of their Heavenly Father. Their destiny is joy.