Hello everyone! Heyo! Welcome back to Scattering Flowers with Elise and Miles, a podcast where you read the daily gospels and the saint of the day.
Let’s get started! Today is Wednesday, April 8th, and the gospel reading is Luke 24, 13-35, and the scripture to reflect on is Luke 24, 32.
Were not our hearts burning within us while he spoke to us on the way and opened the scriptures to us?
The two believers walking to Emmaus were so caught up in their worries and sadness that at first they don’t recognize Jesus walking with them.
Then again, all throughout Jesus' lifetime, many people didn’t recognize what he was doing and that he was the long-awaited Messiah promised by all the prophets.
Today’s saint of the day is St.
Julie Billiart.
She was born in 1751 and died 1816.
She is the patron saint of against poverty and paralysis.
Julie was born in the sixth of seven children in France.
Although there were no schools for girls in her village, she quickly learned to read and write.
Julie had even memorized the entire catechism by the time she was seven.
At the same age, she began teaching the other children who were too poor to attend school.
At 14, she made a private vow of chastity, desiring to live totally of God.
One night in 1774, Julie and her father were sitting at home when suddenly a shot was fired into the house.
No one was hurt, but she suffered from the shock and her health declined until she was completely paralyzed at the age of 30.
Even so, she continued to teach catechism and give spiritual direction from her bed.
Some years later, she met François, a wealthy French nobleman.
Though Julie was still bedridden, the two women became close friends and together they co-founded the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur.
One day, a priest who was a friend of the community asked Julie to pray a nova to the Sacred Heart.
When the novena ended, he invited Julie to stand up and walk, and she did.
Julie immediately began to extend her teaching apostolate to gather more women around her who were dedicated to the education of children.
Her sisters are active all over the world to this day.
As Jesus' words filled these two believers' hearts, they recognized him.
They were filled with hope and joy.
When you are worried or sad, speak to Jesus.
Let him fill you with hope and joy too.
Julie was given a special gift for learning and teaching, and she spent her life sharing this gift with others, regardless of the difficulties that came her way.
God has entrusted you and me with special gifts too.
Let’s pray.
In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Dear God, fill me with joy and hope at the promise of you coming back, just like you did for those people walking to Emmaus on your resurrection.
And help me to follow St.
Julie Billiart’s example to care for everyone, even the less wealthy.
St.
Julie Billiart, 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 tomorrow scattering more flowers.
See ya!