Saint Rose of Lima was born at Lima, Peru in 1586. She led a virtuous life at home and, after reading and meditating on the works of St. Catherine of Siena, she received the habit of the Third Order of Saint Dominic. In this order she made great progress in a life of penance and contemplation. The crown of roses that she wore publically, which is identified with her, represents the crown of thorns that she wore privately to unite herself more closely to the Passion of Christ. She died August 24, 1617 and was canonized not many years later on the same day that another Dominican, St. John of the Cross, was canonized.
The first reading today speaks of the necessity to boast in the Lord, if there is any boasting to be done. None of us does anything on our own, even when it appears that we do so. Rose knew this and made Jesus her boast always and in all things! She knew she was a branch of which he was the vine; and that her existence and spiritual sustenance depended upon complete reliance on the spiritual life flowing to and from the root and stem of the vine: Jesus himself!
The gospel passage relates the great value that life in the vine, life in the kingdom, life in the Church are all about. It is so valuable, and vital and necessary that when one finally comes to the realization of its significance and importance one should be willing to detach oneself from everything that is not of the kingdom, buy the kingdom with acts of faith and hope, and then remain a member of the kingdom by acts of charity and self-sacrificial giving and caring – until the kingdom arrives in its fullness and giving God glory, praise and thanks will be at last our only true desire and activity!
Praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted!
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