Build My Faith

November 10, 2008

Memorial of St. Leo the Great

By Beth DeCristofaro

For a bishop as God’s steward must be…hospitable, a lover of goodness, temperate, just, holy, and self-controlled, holding fast to the true message. (Titus 1:7, 8-9)

“Things that cause sin will inevitably occur, but woe to the one through whom they occur…If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him…
If you have faith the size of a mustard seed,
you would say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.” (Luke 17:1, 3, 6)

Piety

Lord Jesus, shower me with the faith to be just, holy, self-controlled, holding fast to the true message of your love and forgiveness. May I shower those around me with your love and forgiveness and may I, through the intercession of St. Leo the Great, strive to build your church in the world. Amen

Study

St. Leo, a pope known as Great, certainly had faith the size of a mustard seed. Elected as pope while still a deacon, he was not only a great homilist but also strove to unify the church which had been shaken by scandal and abuse. He reformed, he resolved disputes, and in the face of heresy, he helped clarify the church’s teachings about the divinity and humanity of Christ. In what would have been an incredible Hollywood moment, he personally met Attila the Hun at the gates of Rome and convinced Attila to turn away.

As a model, St. Leo shows us not only what the strength of faith can achieve but that faith which is fueled by forgiveness and the strength of the Spirit keeps us rooted in love and thereby our actions are love. Love and forgiveness are by no means passive or blind. Leo’s love for the faith, love for the church, and love for Christ propelled him to put his body, mind and soul on the line for Christ. His actions were – and continue to be today – Kingdom building.

Paul’s description of the attributes for a leader, hospitable, a lover of goodness, temperate, just, holy, and self-controlled, holding fast to the true message, are attributes which will build faith and help me be Christ-like. And where, within me, is the Attila? Whom would I like to destroy? If I bring those attributes Paul lists to bear in my actions, then I bring love and forgiveness rather than strife or disharmony.

Action

“Due to the wars, terrorists and immense problems that Leo faced, he strongly advocated the works of mercy toward others to show true Christianity” Today we also face strong temptations, distractions and hazards. Ask for the help of the Holy Spirit and St. Leo the Great to incorporate the spiritual and corporal works of mercy in all that we do, say and think. http://www.doctorsofthecatholicchurch.com/L.html.

SPIRITUAL WORKS OF MERCY: To counsel the doubtful; Instruct the ignorant; Admonish sinners; Comfort the afflicted; Forgive offenses; Bear wrongs patiently; Pray for the living and the dead.

CORPORAL WORKS OF MERCY: To feed the hungry; Give drink to the thirsty;
Clothe the naked; Shelter the homeless; Visit the sick; Visit the imprisoned; Bury the dead.