March 7, Blessed Christopher of Milan

March 7

Blessed Christopher of Milan

Hello, good people!?May the Lord give you peace!

We might miss the company that we welcome today, Blessed Christopher of Milan.?Christopher was born into a wealthy, noble family in Milan.?He was well educated and distinguished himself as a young man of virtue and piety.?It was not surprising, then, that he chose to enter the Franciscan Order.??

After his ordination he formed the community of Our Lady of Grace.?Here he spent his life preaching.?He would instruct the People of God in ways to live the Gospel faithfully.?His kind attention to the people and his effective preaching won many to the faith.?His reputation spread widely and people traveled great distances to hear his preaching.?The people were hungry to know the way to God and he helped them to find their way.??

Above I said you might miss the guest we welcome today.?Even with all of his notoriety and the popularity of his preaching, he remained a quiet and reflective friar.?He went about his ministry in a very modest and peaceful manner.?His was just to do the work of the one he loved above all else, Jesus Christ.??

The “tool of his trade” were his words.?He used language to stir the hearts of the people who came to him and through his words he was able to lead people to God.?This is an occasion for us to reflect upon our words.?Are our utterances life-giving??Do we speak words that comfort and console??Yes, there are times when we must speak a word of correction to admonish someone.?But the words need never be harsh and certainly not violent. Let us learn from him the beauty, value and joy of holy thoughts dressed in beautiful language.

Let us pray

Loving God, you sent your Son Jesus to be among us as your WORD.?Jesus came liberating?us from sin and death through his words.?As Christopher of Milan heard the WORD, loved it and shared it, may we do the same.?May we recognize and engage your word so as to keep our lives faithful and may we use our words to bring others to you.?We ask this of you through your Son, Jesus, the Word made flesh, who lives with you and the Spirit, God forever and ever.?Amen.?

Christopher of Milan is a friend of God and the company we welcome today.

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