The Memorial of St Rita of Cascia

Acts 15:1-6, Jn 15:1-8. As a branch cannot be separated from the tree and survive on its own, so we are invited to firmly attach to the Lord, as we cannot be separated from Him and hope for His grace. In today's Gospel, Jesus uses the parable of the vine in order to bring His point across, as He revealed to His disciples how they must be united to Him, so that they do not act in ways that create division, separation, dissension and cracks in the Body of Christ, the Church. We must not allow our pride, ego and stubbornness to cause division against each other. It is when we begin to put our selfish desires and wants ahead of the commitment we have as Christians that we become detached from God and invariably from His love and grace.

The first reading presents an example of such division when a bitter friction and factional dispute arose between the disciples and the communities of the faithful. Those who wanted to impose the laws of Moses and its rigorous practices as encapsulated within the traditions of the Jewish people, refused to back down and insisted that all those who believe in Christ must also obey the laws of Moses in their entirety, or else, they could not be members of the Church. Today, we are invited to learn from the life and examples of St Rita of Cascia, a notable saint and holy woman whose life has precisely shown that we must put aside our differences and learn to find the path of peace and reconciliation with God and with one another. St Rita of Cascia is remembered for her patience and dedication to her family.

May the Lord remain always with us to renew our lives in holiness! Amen!! Good morning and have a wonderful day!!!