Memorial of St Hedwig

Before reading today’s Gospel (Luke 12: 1-7), Tony Worner acknowledges that today we also celebrate the Memorial of St Hedwig, a religious who lived around the late 12 Century.

Beginning his reflection Tony says he couldn’t help but see the irony in the opening lines of today’s Gospel … the people had gathered in their thousands so that they were treading on one another … with COVID it can’t happen today!

Tony continues say the verses we read today continue within the sequence of the structure or the theme from this part of the Gospel. You might remember from Wednesday that this section comes under a structure or a theme ‘the gift of the Spirit’ and in particular ‘spiritual transformation’. Hopefully, this theme now becomes a little a little more apparent.

The last three days Jesus has been talking to the Pharisees about themselves, taking them to task over their religious adherence to the rules rather than opening up their hearts to others. Today, Jesus begins to speak, first to his disciples, about themselves, warning them not to be like the Pharisees.

We know that power can corrupt and whenever there are structures lacking in accountability, corruption follows. This applies to both individuals and corporations. We only need to listen to the news be reminded of this again. However, a good business requires just practices and the protection of the rights of its workers. In the Gospel, Jesus calls for transparency and honesty. His reminder that … everything that is now covered will be uncovered … should motivate us to always seek truth and show the integrity of our heart and actions.

The other important message given today, leading to this ‘spiritual transformation’, is that fear can be overcome by the power of hope in God. … Do not be afraid … No-one is forgotten in God’s sight.

Tony invites us to prayer, through the intercession of St Hedwig, a Cistercian who prayed unceasing:

Come, Holy Spirit, protect us with your light, which gives us wisdom for the day. Teach us not to be afraid but to rejoice in all that we encounter. We ask this through Jesus the teacher.