St. Robert Bellarmine was born in 1542, in the town of Monte Pulciano in Tuscany. He entered the Society of Jesus and after ordination to the priesthood distinguished himself by brilliant disputations in defense of the Catholic faith. He also taught theology in the Roman College (founded by St. Ignatius Loyola, the founder of the Jesuits – now known as the Pontifical Gregorian University). He was elected a cardinal and became bishop of Capua. He was nearly elected pope. He did help the new pope, Paul V, solve many pressing questions in the various Roman Congregations. He died in Rome in 1621. He was named a doctor of the Church in 1930, though he was declared Venerable in 1627.
The first reading applies very much to St. Robert. "I prayed, and prudence was given me; I pleaded, and the spirit of Wisdom came to me." It was this prudence and this Wisdom that filled Robert's mind and heart as he exercised his pastoral ministry as priest, teacher and bishop! May we treasure and pray for prudence, as well; plead for the spirit of Wisdom – and it will come to us! And we all shall be able to carry out our particular function in the priesthood of Christ – as lay and ordained members of the Church!
The gospel passage reminds us that knowing about God – through prayer and teaching is one thing: but actually doing what we hear in that prayer, putting into practice the teaching is what really counts. A person who actively lives out the gospel message of Jesus will be like a person who builds his house on rock. And no matter what storms in life may come its way – it shall stand tall! And it shall endure forever! Let the spiritual houses of our souls be more firmly based on rock this day – by living more closely the dictates of the entire Sermon on the Mount – of which this gospel passage is the final paragraph!
Your words, Lord, are spirit and life. May we experience them as such as a result of our activity of loving one another as you love us!
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