Optional Memorial of Saint Anthony Mary Claret, Bishop

Loving God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength is at the heart of today’s readings. In the Gospel (Luke 12:54–59), Jesus reminds us that we possess minds capable of interpreting signs and discerning outcomes. This ability to judge right from wrong is a gift given to all. In the first reading (Romans 7:18–25a), Saint Paul wrestles with the tension between knowing what is right and being tempted to do wrong. His struggle is deeply human—and deeply familiar.

Jesus speaks to his disciples, preparing to bestow upon them the gifts of the Holy Spirit: wisdom, knowledge, understanding, fortitude, piety, counsel, and fear of the Lord. These gifts, combined with our God-given intellect, guide us in choosing what is just.

Paul counsels himself with his own mind. He recognizes that even with clarity about what is good, temptation persists. He humbles himself, acknowledging his weakness, and chooses the right path. His courage lies not in perfection but in persistence.

We all face this dilemma. Some decisions must be made quickly; others require deep reflection. But in all things, we are not alone. “Thanks be to God,” Paul says, “through Jesus Christ our Lord.” With the Eucharist, we receive the body, blood, soul, and divinity of Christ—our compass for moral discernment.

Saint Peter Julian Eymard understood the centrality of the Eucharist, and so did Saint Anthony Mary Claret, whose feast we celebrate today. His devotion to the Blessed Sacrament reminds us that holiness is not abstract; it is lived, chosen, and nourished daily.

Prayer:

Lord, teach me your statutes. Teach me wisdom and knowledge, for in your commands I trust. (Psalm 119:66)