Modern Day 20th Century Teen
Blessed Chiara Badano
September 25
Chiara was born in Sassello, Italy, October 29, 1971, if she were alive today she would be celebrating her 39th birthday. She died at the age of 18 on October 7, 1990 of bone cancer. On July 3, 2008 the Congregation for the Causes of the Saints recognized her for living a life of heroic virtues and she was made Venerated by Pope Benedict the XVI.
God put His stamp of approval on the Venerable Chiara, when parents of a young boy dying of meningitis asked her in prayer to intercede with Our Lord for their son's recovery. Though his organs were shutting down, the young boy made a full recovery. A panel of doctors ruled that there was no medical explanation for the young boy’s recovery. On December 19, 2009, Pope Benedict XVI signed the decree which approved the miracle attributed to the intercession of the Venerable Servant of God Chiara Badano.
Tomorrow, September 25, at 4PM in the shrine of the Divine Love in Rome, Chiara will be beatified in a ceremony presided over by Archbishop Angelo Amato, prefect of the Congregation for Saints’ Causes, in representation of Benedict XVI.
and remain faithful in your service. (Opening Prayer)
Among all the populace that the Jews despised the most were the “publicans” the men who collected tax for the Romans. Most of these publicans or tax collectors were dishonest taking more tax than was right. A few were honest, dealing fairly, and taking no more tax than was required. But because so many were corrupt, all tax collectors were hated alike; and considered sinners by the people.
Matthew, also called Levi, the author of the first Gospel, the son of Alphaeus (Mark 2:14), was a tax collector by profession. Tradition tells us that he was one of the honest ones, nonetheless because of his occupation, observant Jews were forbidden to have anything to do with him. Yet Jesus, an observant Jew, in an act of mercy, chose Matthew to be one of the first apostles. Just as remarkable was Matthew’s response to Jesus’ call.
“He (Jesus) went out and saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at the customs post. He said to him, “Follow me.” And leaving everything behind, he got up and followed him. Then Levi gave a great banquet for him in his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were at table with them. The Pharisees and their scribes complained to his disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” Jesus said to them in reply, “Those who are healthy do not need a physician, but the sick do. I have not come to call the righteous to repentance but sinners.” (Luke 5:27-32)
Thankfully our God is a God of mercy. He sent His Son to dine with the sinners, a category into which we all fall. Today, on the Feast of Saint Matthew let us be reminded to share the gift of God’s mercy, forgiveness and grace with others in our life. To show other sinners, just like ourselves, “that God’s way brings a happiness that no earthly pleasure can give.”
Apostleship of Prayer
Fr. James Kubicki, S.J.
An Example of Repentance
“For human beings this is impossible,
but for God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26)
