In the presence of the divine

Editor’s Note: The following is from a recent homily, with Bishop Lucia reflecting on Dilexi te and St. Carlo Acutis.

In the gospel we just heard, brothers and sisters, Jesus healed 10 people afflicted with leprosy, but only one of them returned to give thanks. We might wonder why the others didn’t come back. Without too much judgment on our part, maybe they couldn’t connect the dots that God himself had healed them on their way. It seems that only one person — a Samaritan — realized that he had been in the presence of the divine. And he didn’t just say “Thank you,” either. He fell at Jesus’ feet and worshipped God “in a loud voice.”

Here is my question for our consideration this Lord’s Day: “What does it mean for you and me to worship God in a loud voice?” Two events I believe can help our reflection this afternoon/morning: (1) Pope Leo’s first Apostolic Exhortation, Dilexit te on the care of the poor, and (2) Tomorrow’s/Today’s feast day of St. Carlo Acutis.

“Dilexi te”: Encouragement in Ordinary Time

By Lucia A. Silecchia

Pope Leo XIV recently released the first extensive document of his papacy, Dilexi te, an Apostolic Exhortation on love for the poor.

Almost immediately, pundits responded, some thoughtfully and others with partisan “hot takes” that pulled a mere line or two from the document to illustrate how it aligned perfectly with their viewpoints. Others turned immediately to critique, while others seemed to praise provisions that they liked while ignoring those they did not.

This did not surprise me. I have taught courses in Catholic social teaching and understand the instinct and temptation to view this teaching through political frameworks, ordering it to the “sides” we are used to taking.

By Mike Langlois
Contributing writer

My wife is an eternal optimist. I am not. No matter financial concerns, work-related stress, physical illness, or simply navigating major life changes, she seeks a positive path forward. When she senses I am growing discouraged, she will calmly remind me that, “it is in God’s hands.”

When we commit a sin – a disruption in one’s relationship with God, oneself, and others – it can lead to discouragement in our spiritual life. It is the shame and guilt from sin that can separate us from God. We may fall into self-condemnation and mistakenly believe that we are unworthy to have a relationship with Him. We see this in the Old Testament Book of Genesis with Adam and Eve who felt shame and guilt discovering their nakedness (hiding from God) after eating from the tree of knowledge of good and evil.