Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for Wednesday Week 31 Ordinary time - November 4, 2020

WEDNESDAY 4TH NOVEMBER 2020 31ST WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR II MEMORIAL OF ST. CHARLES BORROMEO WORK OUT YOUR SALVATION WITH WHATEVER YOU HAVE Today we celebrate the memorial of St Charles Borromeo. He was born into a very influential family in Italy. His mother was a sister to the ruling class known as the Medici, and his uncle was Pope Pius IV. He was therefore around the corridors of power. Despite his status in the society, he was very religious and dedicated to the things of God and the church. He had a very good academic background at a very young age, and he was appointed the administrator of Milan, and protector of the catholic cantons of Switzerland and of the Franciscans and Camelites. He is well known today for his contributions to the reform of the church and his generosity towards the poor and needy. When he was appointed Archbishop of Milan, the pope asked him to stay back in Rome to work on the Missal, Catechism and the Breviary. He was very zealous that Catholics should know their faith so as not to be swept aside. He asked that children be taught the faith early; this practice gave birth to the Sunday school lesson for children that we have today. Because of his many reforms, attempts were made at his life from various angles. The king of spain also tormented him because Charles did not allow him have any influence over the church. St Paul encourages us today in the first reading, to keep up the good things that we are doing, knowing that we are working for God and not man. This is why Jesus says today in the gospel reading that anyone who loves anything or anyone on earth more than him, cannot be his disciple. Anyone who is not ready to suffer rejection, gossip, opposition and hate, is not yet ready for the kingdom. We should therefore use all that we have and are capable of, to win the kingdom of God for ourselves. God help us. Amen. Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie MSP