Our saint for this day: Elizabeth of Hungary (born in 1207), certainly lived out the spirit of the readings for this Mass. She was simply a loving person who always put family first, and then later after her husband died – with her three sons, she put the needs of the poor and sick first – she founded a hospital to care for bodies and souls.
In this way Elizabeth "tasted and saw the goodness of the Lord" where he promised he would be found: in the poor, the lowly, the sick, the imprisoned, the hungry, the thirsty.
In the spirit of the letter to St. John (in our first reading) we can verify that Elizabeth of Hungary loved not just in word and speech, but also in deed and truth.
The gospel passage today reminds us that the more we give, the more we will get (but only if we concentrate on the giving and not the getting); the more blessings we give others in the name of Christ, the more blessings and gifts we will receive from Christ – especially on that Last and promised Day when we will be judged on just exactly how much we did give, while not counting the cost!
May we like, Elizabeth of Hungary, have something worthwhile to offer the Lord – so that he in turn can offer us eternal life! Elizabeth died in 1231, but she is still very much alive and can intercede for us if we ask her to.
Elizabeth, help us to taste and see the goodness of the Lord, as you are.
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