Memorial of St. Philip Neri, Priest

READINGS

Reading 1 1 Peter 1:10-16

Beloved: Concerning the salvation of your souls the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and investigated it investigating the time and circumstances that the Spirit of Christ within them indicated when it testified in advance to the sufferings destined for Christ and the glories to follow them. It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you with regard to the things that have now been announced to you by those who preached the Good News to you through the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels longed to look. Therefore, gird up the loins of your mind, live soberly, and set your hopes completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Like obedient children, do not act in compliance with the desires of your former ignorance but, as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in every aspect of your conduct, for it is written, Be holy because I am holy. 

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4

R. (2a) The Lord has made known his salvation.

Sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done wondrous deeds; His right hand has won victory for him, his holy arm.

R. The Lord has made known his salvation.

The LORD has made his salvation known: in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice. He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness toward the house of Israel.

R. The Lord has made known his salvation.

All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation by our God. Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands; break into song; sing praise.

R. The Lord has made known his salvation. 

Alleluia

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth; you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom.

R. Alleluia, alleluia. 

Gospel Mark 10:28-31

Peter began to say to Jesus, "We have given up everything and followed you. "Jesus said, "Amen, I say to you, there is no one who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands for my sake and for the sake of the Gospel who will not receive a hundred times more now in this present age: houses and brothers and sistersand mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and eternal life in the age to come. But many that are first will be last, and the last will be first." 

REFLECTION

Therefore, gird up the loins of your mind, live soberly, and set your hopes completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Like obedient children, do not act in compliance with the desires of your former ignorance but, as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in every aspect of your conduct, for it is written, Be holy because I am holy. 

St. Philip Neri was a lovable, joyful, humble and a holy Italian priest. Before he became a priest, he would go at night to pray in the catacombs of St. Sabastiano. While he was praying one night, a globe of light entered him and went into his heart. He was filled with zeal to serve the Lord. Immediately that night, he went to the hospital of incurables to speak about God to them. He went into the streets to talk to anyone he met about God.

Philip was very creative in his ways of teaching the virtue, humility.

He fashioned his lessons to the sinner. One of the priests who seemed too serious, was told by Philip to sing the Misere at a wedding breakfast. On another occasion, a man asked if he should wear a hair shirt to mortify himself. Neri told him to wear it outside of his shirt. He was obedient and was ridiculed. Even his friends called him names. He found humility in the mistreatment.

Many times Philip would wear ridiculous clothes or shave half his beard to cause people to laugh at him, which helped him to be humble.

St. Philip Neri influenced many to be holy. His joy for the Lord was contagious. He was very prayerful and charitable to others.

Let us pray to Philip Neri for the virtue of humility and to seek holiness.

Let us pray the Consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.