Memorial of Saint Philip Neri, Priest

Today's Mass Readings

As we begin the eighth week of Ordinary Time, we begin to read the letter of 1 Peter during our daily Masses this week. The Book of 1 Peter has traditionally been regarded as written by Peter, one of the first apostles and the first pope. During Jesus’ lifetime, Peter seemed not to understand Jesus’ suffering. The reflections in the short theological letter of 1 Peter demonstrate that Peter moved a long way toward understanding this following Jesus’ passion, death, and resurrection. Today, for example, Peter indicates that Jesus’ followers may have to suffer through various trials (1 Pt. 1:6). As a whole, however, today’s passage from 1 Peter also features the theme of rejoicing. This is the rejoicing of faith. Those who have never even seen Jesus may still love him and believe in him, finding salvation in him. This is a particularly important sentiment coming from Peter, who himself had experienced Jesus in person. The gospel reading from Mark meanwhile contains one of the toughest readings for we who live so comfortably. The man who makes the inquiry to Jesus seems genuine; he is truly worried about his eternal life and has done everything that is required of him by the Jewish faith. Jesus, however, calls the man to something more when he asks that he sell all he owns and give the money to the poor. The man, with a fittingly genuine response, is sad… and who wouldn’t be in this situation? Note the sympathy of the disciples, who are described as amazed and astonished at the news that it is difficult for the wealthy to enter the kingdom of God.

Hopefully, we suffer a similar shock upon reading those lines. Think of all the “good” people we know who live lives of relative wealth. Can we imagine that they (or we) will not make it to heaven? Nowadays, we often assume it is everyone’s destination, but is it? Today’s passages give us a reason to fear and a reason to hope. Jesus tells us that it is difficult for the wealthy to enter heaven. Peter tells us that even those who have never seen Jesus may find salvation in him. We seem at the same time both condemned and saved, and indeed we are. As the gospel informs us regarding who can be saved, “For men it is impossible, but not for God. All things are possible for God” (Mk. 10:27).

Far from helping us to settle in complacency, this line ought to challenge us. We cannot save ourselves. We are saved through Jesus. This is not a gift to be squandered. It demands a life that is at once open to God’s grace, including both suffering and joy. Today’s saint, Philip Neri, is an excellent example of the joy that comes in living a life for Christ. St. Philip Neri believed in the value of a cheerful disposition. He did not avoid suffering, but, per Peter’s instructions, he rejoiced in the faith – his love and belief in Jesus. As such, he is a model for us. We might easily despair of our attachment to our possessions and our fear of eternal damnation. Instead, however, God calls us to ever greater attachment to God.

All things are possible for God, and this means we must depend entirely upon Him, realizing that our salvation comes from Jesus. Our own insufficiency becomes a source of joy when we realize that Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection occurred that we might have eternal life. We have only to step forward to receive that gift… but with the enormity of such a gift, our possessions certainly ought to pale in comparison. Today, let us pray that St. Philip Neri will intercede for us to be like him, joyful in the hope of our salvation and hence willing to live our lives for the gospel.

- Maria Morrow