Memorial of Saint Elizabeth of Hungary, Religious, November 17, 2025

Reading 1

1 John 3:14-18

Beloved:

We know that we have passed from death to life

because we love our brothers.

Whoever does not love remains in death.

Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer,

and you know that anyone who is a murderer

does not have eternal life remaining in him.

The way we came to know love

was that he laid down his life for us;

so we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.

If someone who has worldly means

sees a brother in need and refuses him compassion,

how can the love of God remain in him?

Children, let us love not in word or speech

but in deed and truth.

Reflection

Today is the memorial of Saint Elizabeth of Hungary. Elizabeth lived a life that most would envy. Born a princess, surrounded by comfort, privilege, and security, she could have easily remained indifferent to the suffering of others. Yet her heart belonged to the poor. She fed the hungry with her own hands, clothed those who had nothing, and forgave the debts of the desperate who came to her for help. She even funded the building of a hospital where the poorest of the poor, the sick, the crippled, and anyone who needed care, could find refuge. She was blessed with wealth and influence, and she poured it out freely, not for praise or recognition, but because she wanted to show the love of Jesus to others.

In one instance her husband tried to stop her from giving away their food, but Elizabeth continued anyway, sneaking baskets of bread to the poor. The story goes when he went to confront her, demanding her to open the baskets, he found the bread transformed into roses that were not native to their area. He was moved with awe and permitted her on her way, never questioning her acts of charity again.

This reading is beautifully fitting for the memorial of Saint Elizabeth, because she was a living, breathing example of its message. These lines in particular stand out…“If someone who has worldly means sees a brother in need and refuses him compassion, how can the love of God remain in him?” and “Children, let us love not in word or speech but in deed and truth.”

Elizabeth embodied these words through her actions. She saw those in need, she had the means to help, and she did not hesitate to show them the love of Christ. Let us all follow in Elizabeth's footsteps and think less of ourselves and more of others. Let us all be a little bit more giving and not hesitate to show others the love of Christ through our actions.