Homily for August 25th, 2015: Matthew 23:23-26.
An elderly monk, Father Benedict, was
returning to his monastery from a journey. With him was a young novice, Brother
Ardens. It had been raining and the road was muddy. When they came to a dip in
the road still covered with water, they found a beautiful young girl standing
there afraid to proceed, lest her long dress be soiled. “Come, dear,” Father
Benedict said, when he saw her predicament. “I’ll carry you.” Then he picked the girl up
in his arms and carried her across. She thanked him, and the two monks walked
on in silence.
When they reached the monastery,
Brother Ardens felt he had to say something about the incident he had
witnessed. “Monks are supposed to keep away from women, especially from beautiful
young girls. How could you pick up in your arms that girl we met on the road?”
“Dear Brother Ardens,” the older monk
replied, “I put that girl down as soon as we reached dry ground. You have
carried her in your thoughts right into the monastery.”
The young novice was like the scribes
and Pharisees in the gospel reading we have just heard: zealous, as many young
people are, and determined to see all the rules and regulations carefully
observed. The ardent young monk never realized that this could mean failing in
something even more important: helping someone in need.
Behind each of the Ten Commandments is
the highest law of all, charity: active, generous and sacrificial service – to
God, and to others.
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