“What do you want me to do for you?”

Luke 18:35-43

As Jesus approached Jericho a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging, and hearing a crowd going by, he inquired what was happening. They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.” He shouted, “Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me!” The people walking in front rebuked him, telling him to be silent, but he kept calling out all the more, “Son of David, have pity on me!”

 

Then Jesus stopped and ordered that he be brought to him;

and when he came near, Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” He replied, “Lord, please let me see.”

Jesus told him, “Have sight; your faith has saved you.”

He immediately received his sight and followed him, giving glory to God. When they saw this, all the people gave praise to God.

 

Refection question:  “What do you want Jesus to do for you?”

 

Prayer: Jesus, give me love for all people I meet today. Help me to be more like you in all that I say and do. Amen.


Today we remember the feast of St. Elizabeth, patron saint of the third order of St. Francis!

St. Elizabeth of Hungary was selected in 2000 to be the patron saint of Catholic Charities.

Elizabeth was born in Hungary in 1207, the daughter of Andrew, King of Hungary. From the beginning of her life, she was ridiculed by people who were jealous of her.

They noticed that she was always trying to be holy. As she would play games with the other children, she would always contrive little ways to sneak into the chapel and have a visit with Jesus.

Betrothed to Louis of Thuringia at four years of age, Elizabeth married the 21-year-old Louis when she was 14 years old. Later, they had three children Herman, Sophia and Gertrude. Early in their marriage, Louis rebuked Elizabeth because she was always serving people. Although Elizabeth was Queen, she longed to live the life of poverty she heard about through the Franciscans. She constantly gave her jewels and best clothes to the poor. Sometimes she gave everything away and had nothing to wear, but Jesus always provided for her. When she emptied the castle storehouses of grain for the poor, Jesus would miraculously fill them up again. “That’s no work for a Queen,” Louis reprimanded her. Once he demanded to know what she was carrying in her cloak. When he pulled it open instead of finding provisions for the poor as he expected, out cascaded lovely red and white roses. Louis knew then that she was indeed a holy woman and from that point on he dedicated his life to sharing her ministry.

 

After only six years of marriage, Louis died of the plague while on a crusade and Elizabeth was devastated. Louis’ greedy brother, Henry, drove Elizabeth and her children out of Wartburg Castle the winter Louis died. She suffered great hardships until she was taken in by her uncle, the Bishop of Bamberg, who wanted her to remarry. Elizabeth refused, having promised Louis that she would not marry again.

 

Seeing that her children were taken care of by relatives, Elizabeth entered the Order of St. Francis. Master Conrad of Marburg, who was assigned to be her mentor and confessor, was very strict and harsh with her. But, Elizabeth continued her works of charity among the poor, the sick and the homeless. She fished at the river to earn more money to help them. Elizabeth was especially concerned about the orphans and the elderly and built hospitals with her own funds to take care of them. She had so much compassion toward them that she herself tended to their needs, cleaning their homes and spinning yarn for their clothes.

 

Elizabeth lived with great austerity and worked continually in her hospice and in the homes of the poor. At 24 years of age, her health gave way, and she died on November 17, 1231. She is buried in the chapel of the hospice. In 1235, Elizabeth was canonized a saint. Her feast day is November 17.

 

Because St. Elizabeth’s dedication to the poor, the sick and the homeless so closely exemplifies the work of Catholic Charities, she was chosen to be our patron saint. We will all gather to celebrate her work and the work of all Catholic Charities employees on her feast day.  An equally important part of our celebration is the presentation of the St. Elizabeth of Hungary Award, which is given to a Catholic Charities employee who reflects a commitment to Catholic Charities’ mission as it relates to the life and work of St. Elizabeth.

 

St. Elizabeth of Hungary, pray for us!

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Prayers:

For the poor.

For the sick.

For the lonely.

For the people of Hungary.

For all doctors and nurses.

For all first responders

For all teachers.

For vocations.

For the dead.