Voices ever ancient, ever new. Wednesday-Week32-2013. Saint Frances Cabrini (USA)

“And when he saw them, he said, “Go show yourselves to the priests.” As they were going they were cleansed.” (Luke 17:14)

In commenting on this verse from the Gospel according to Saint Luke from today’s Gospel, Cyril of Alexandria writes:

“Why did he not say, “I will, be cleansed,” as he did in the case of another leper, instead of commanding them to show themselves to the priests? It was because the law gave directions to this effect to those who were delivered from leprosy. It commanded them to show themselves to the priests and to offer a sacrifice for their cleansing. He commanded them to go as being already healed so that they might bear witness to the priests, the rulers of the Jews and always envious of his glory. They testified that wonderfully and beyond their hope, they had been delivered from their misfortune by Christ’s willing that they should be healed. He did not heal them first but sent them to the priests, because the priests knew the marks of leprosy and of its healing.” (Commentary on Luke, Homilies 113-116)



God our Father,
Who called Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini
from Italy to serve the immigrants of America,
by her example, teach us to have concern
for the stranger, the sick, and all those in need,
and by her prayers help us to see
Christ in all the men and women we meet.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
Who lives and reigns with You
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.



Click here for some biographical data on Saint Frances Cabrini and here for today’s Second Reading from the Liturgy of the Hours: Office of Readings.



Glory to You Father, Son and Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning is now
and will be forever. Amen!