Saturday of week 4 in Ordinary Time
Saint Jerome Emilian
Saint Josephine Bakhita, Virgin
Saturday memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary
First reading – Hebrews 13:15-17,20-21
In this passage is the prayer that the God of peace may equip us with everything necessary to accomplish His will, shaping us into what is pleasing to Him through Jesus Christ. This transformation occurs in Christ, enabling us to live out God’s will through all good actions. One such action is the generous sharing of our resources with others, which the author describes as a sacrifice—an offering that is pleasing to God. By willingly giving to those in need, we do more than perform an act of charity; we participate in the sacrificial love of Christ Himself, who offered the perfect sacrifice for our redemption. Thus, every act of generosity becomes an expression of worship, a tangible sign of our communion with Christ’s own self-giving love. In this, we find the perfect model in the Blessed Virgin Mary, who, in her complete surrender to God’s will, offered herself as a living sacrifice, giving not only her resources but her very life in service to God’s redemptive plan. Let’s reflect: How can I, like Mary, offer myself completely to God’s will, allowing my actions—especially my sacrifices and generosity—to become a true participation in Christ’s self-giving love?
Don Giorgio