Hello everyone! Heyo! Welcome back to Scattering Flowers with Elise and Miles, a podcast where we read the daily Gospels and the Saint of the Day.
Let’s get started! Today is Friday, February 27th, and the Gospel reading is Matthew 5, 20-26, and the scripture to reflect on is Matthew 5, 23-24.
So, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there you remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go.
First be reconciled to your brother and then come back to offer your gift.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus is talking about not holding on to grudges, anger, hurt, or hatred.
I doubt that you hate someone, but I’m sure that you have held with grudges, being angry, hurt, or jealous.
I’ll be honest, I have too.
These are emotions that we all have.
They are a part of being human.
Jesus is talking to his disciples about the choices we have.
We can choose to focus on the positive emotions that are good like love, hope, generosity, and faith.
Or we can choose the emotions that upset us like anger or jealousy.
Today’s saint of the day is Saint Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrow.
He was born 1838 and died 1862.
He is the patron saint of seminarians.
Saint Gabriel was born in Italy into a large family.
He lost his mother when he was only four years old.
He was educated by the Jesuits and having been cured twice of serious illness, came to believe that God was calling him into a religious life.
Young Gabriel wished to join the Jesuits but was turned down, probably because of his age, not yet 17.
Following the death of a sister, his resolve to enter religious life became even stronger, and he was accepted by the Passionates upon entering the Novit.
He was given the name Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows.
Having big feelings isn’t something to be worried about.
It’s okay to sometimes be upset.
What’s most important is how you deal with them.
When you’re mad, do you throw a temper tantrum or hit others?
Or do you talk through it, say you’re sorry, and offer forgiveness?
Most important of all is to pray for the grace and strength and wisdom we need every day.
Gabriel prayed in the chapel every single day.
While other young men were out in the streets finding ways to make money and get into trouble, Gabriel decided to do something that wouldn’t make him any money at all.
He prayed.
Gabriel’s father may have been confused by his habit because Gabriel wrote to him telling him how much he loved prayer.
He said he didn’t want to give up even 15 minutes of prayer, not even in exchange for 15 years.
Let’s pray.
In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Dear God, give us the grace, strength, and wisdom we need every day.
And help me to love spending time talking to you.
Saint Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows, pray for us.
Amen.
In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Thank you so much for listening.
We’ll be back next week, scattering more flowers.
See ya!