Saint Bernadette of Lourdes

Whenever I lose my patience and feel angry, I have learned to say and do nothing at first. The spirit filling me with anger is rarely the Holy Spirit. In the heat of the moment, I usually do not have the presence of mind to say a prayer and ask for help. That is why these times set aside for reflection are so important. I must be open to the Holy Spirit as Saint Stephen was at his moment of trial. He was filled with the Holy Spirit, and the words he needed to say were on his lips.

Saint Stephen was not required to be long-suffering. Immediately, he was given aid by a vision, and his vindication was seen. Saint Bernadette Soubirous, almost 2000 years later, was long-suffering. She was sickly and sometimes abused by the religious around her. Things were not clear to her as to how to respond to her visions, but she had the Blessed Virgin Mary with her and responded to her guidance. In God’s economics, both these saints have brought millions of people closer to Jesus and his blessing through their faith and wisdom.

In the Gospel reading, Jesus says, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.” All of us can rely on the Eucharist to help us in our time of need. When strong emotion overwhelms me, and I want to feast on them, I must rely on the feast Jesus offers us in the Eucharist.

Prayer:

Lord, Saint Bernadette taught her that nothing was important to her except Jesus. May we come to understand and live that Jesus is our honor, our delight, our heart, and our soul. May Jesus always be the center of our lives! Amen.