TUESDAY 17TH NOVEMBER 2020
33RD WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR II
MEMORIAL OF ST. ELIZABETH OF HUNGARY
Apocalypse 3:1-6,14-22, Luke 19:1-10
GOD IS KNOCKING AT THE DOOR OF YOUR HEART
Elizabeth was the daughter of the King of Hungary. She was born and brought up in affluence, and she had all that she needed. Nevertheless, Elizabeth had a very lovely and caring heart, and she was very pious. Her devotion to the things of God was very exceptional, something not to think of a daughter of a king as at the time. Elizabeth would have loved to go to the convent if not that her father would not allow her. She lived a very chaste life and in service of the poor. She was married to Louis at the age of 14, and she had 3 children before her husband died. While married, her lifestyle of humility and care for the poor and needy was still an example in the courtyard. Elizabeth refused to wear her royal attire to the Church, saying that she cannot be adorned in golden apparels in the church while the one she has come to worship is wearing thorns. With the death of her husband, she secured the future of her children, she distributed all she had to the poor and built a hospital in honour of St Francis of Assisi to care for lepers and all the sick. She died at the age of 24, and many people began to pray for her intercession; many miracles were worked through her.
It is very obvious that Elizabeth heard the knock by Jesus at the door of her heart and she responded.
St John tells us in the first reading of today that Jesus is knocking at the door of our hearts; we should open so that he can come in.
We see in the gospel reading how Zacchaeus opened the door of her heart when he heard Jesus knocking. He opened and received salvation. Let us open our hearts to Jesus today, so that we will be ready when he comes. God help us. Amen.
Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie MSP
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